Code Vein II – When the Soul of a Soulslike Meets a Darker Anime Heart

When Code Vein first launched, it stood at an interesting crossroads. It wasn’t just another Soulslike, and it wasn’t just an anime-styled action RPG either. It was something in between—ambitious, stylish, and flawed in ways that still left a strong impression. With Code Vein II, Bandai Namco seems determined to take that foundation and finally turn it into the game the original always wanted to be.

One of the most noticeable changes in Code Vein II is its approach to storytelling. The first game introduced a fascinating world, but its narrative often felt fragmented, as if key emotional beats were just out of reach. This time, the story aims to be more cohesive, more personal, and far more emotionally grounded. Once again, players step into a world of Revenants, but survival is no longer the only goal. The sequel places heavier emphasis on identity, sacrifice, and the cost of power, making the journey feel less like a series of battles and more like a meaningful descent into a broken world.

Combat remains challenging, but Code Vein II is clearly focused on refinement rather than reinvention. The Soulslike DNA is still there—timing matters, mistakes are punished, and every enemy can be deadly—but the overall flow feels smoother and more responsive. Improved animations, clearer hit detection, and expanded weapon variety make fights feel fairer without losing their edge. The Blood Code system also returns in a more evolved form, shaping not just stats but entire playstyles, encouraging experimentation instead of rigid builds.

Visually, Code Vein II leans harder into its dark fantasy tone. The anime aesthetic is still unmistakable, but it’s wrapped in a heavier, more mature atmosphere. Ruined cities, corrupted landscapes, and grotesque enemy designs work together to create a world that feels both beautiful and unsettling. Lighting and environmental detail play a much larger role this time, making exploration feel tense and immersive rather than merely stylish.

The companion system has also seen meaningful improvements. AI partners are now more tactically aware, offering real support instead of feeling overpowered or unreliable. More importantly, companions are woven deeper into the narrative. Your bond with them goes beyond combat, adding emotional weight to key moments and reinforcing the sense that you’re not just fighting alongside allies, but sharing a fate with them.

At its core, Code Vein II feels like a game that finally understands its own identity. Rather than chasing the Souls formula outright, it embraces its anime roots, narrative focus, and character-driven design more confidently. For players who enjoyed the first game but felt it never fully reached its potential, this sequel feels like a deliberate step forward.

If you’re drawn to challenging combat, dark worlds, and emotional storytelling wrapped in a striking anime style, Code Vein II is shaping up to be a sequel worth waiting for—and possibly the moment when the series truly comes into its own.