Code Vein 2 Review

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Everyone used to call the first Code Vein the “anime Dark Souls,” but honestly, Code Vein 2 feels more like “anime Elden Ring.” The original game came out in 2019 and people had pretty mixed feelings about it. But this new one, developed and published by Bandai Namco, is a huge step up – bigger, better in almost every way, and much more ambitious. It doesn’t quite reach the heights of Elden Ring, which it’s clearly trying to be like, but it’s still a really solid Soulslike game that I found hard to stop playing.

In the ruined world of Code Vein 2, a catastrophic event called the Resurgence has devastated everything. Players control a customizable vampire and travel back in time to try and prevent the disaster. While the overall story isn’t particularly groundbreaking, the game features strong character interactions and memorable moments that stand out.

Boss battles are crucial in Soulslike games, and while the boss designs in Code Vein 2 aren’t as impressive as in other games of the genre, they’re made special by the strong emotions they evoke. The game centers around traveling to the past to team up with famous heroes, hoping to obtain a key that will revive them in the present. These heroes have been tragically transformed into monsters. Because of the time travel element, the bosses gradually recognize the player as the fight progresses, recalling their shared history. Eventually, they even plead with their former ally to end their suffering.

Code Vein 2 Makes Great Use of Time Travel

The heroes in this game are all unique and have compelling backstories. Spending time with them makes you really care about them, so it’s truly sad to see their fate. While the main story could be stronger, Bandai Namco elevates the boss fights by making them feel more impactful thanks to how much you connect with the characters.

I’m really excited about how Code Vein 2 uses its time travel mechanic! It’s not just about battling cool characters from the past. Early on, you actually meet a character named Noah, and you know he’s going to die. The crazy part is, you get to choose whether to try and save him! If you do, he becomes your companion in the present, but it also completely changes the game world. Like, a huge bridge suddenly appears, connecting the first area to the rest of the game – it’s a massive change!

Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment

I really liked having access to both old and new world maps in Code Vein 2, but honestly, the open world itself was a bit of a letdown. It felt empty and frustrating to get around, with too many cliffs and dead ends that made exploring early on really confusing. That said, I usually find the open-world grind in Soulslike games less annoying than in the more straightforward ones, and Code Vein 2 was no different. Whenever I hit a wall with a tough boss, there was always something else to do – side quests, mapping out the world, or just wandering around. I ended up killing tons of enemies, which helped me level up and get better gear, so I could go back and beat that boss and keep the adventure going without feeling like I was stuck in a repetitive grind.

Code Vein 2 is Like an Anime Take on Elden Ring

Although the open world has some benefits, it mostly feels like it slows down the experience and doesn’t add much value. It delays getting to the game’s strong points – the well-crafted dungeons and difficult boss battles. While clearly influenced by Elden Ring, Code Vein 2‘s open world isn’t nearly as expansive or well-executed.

In Code Vein 2, players can now travel the game world by motorcycle, speeding up exploration. Their companion characters ride along with them, allowing players to experience the game’s landscapes with their favorite characters.

Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment

Like Elden Ring, Code Vein 2 lets players customize their character in many different ways. While stat increases are set when you level up, you have a lot of freedom with weapons, companions (who offer helpful bonuses), and special abilities. These include powerful weapons called Formae, Jails that can drain enemy energy, and Blood Codes, which can be upgraded for unique effects. I enjoyed playing with a longsword, using a special attack where my character briefly vanishes to avoid damage before unleashing a quick series of powerful strikes. Whether battling regular enemies or challenging bosses, Code Vein 2‘s combat is exciting and offers plenty of ways to tailor the experience to your preferred style.

While the combat in Code Vein 2 is visually impressive thanks to its over-the-top, anime-inspired attacks, this same style unfortunately hinders the game’s overall look. The characters feel generic and lack the unique designs needed to make them truly memorable, even with compelling stories. This also applies to the enemies, bosses, and environments – which mostly consist of repetitive canyons, fields, caves, and industrial areas. Though there are moments of beauty and a few standout character designs, a more original art style would have greatly improved the game.

While I wasn’t thrilled with the game’s look, I recognize others might enjoy the art style of Code Vein 2. My main problem with it is the uninspired open world. Otherwise, the game is actually quite good, offering a solid and enjoyable Soulslike experience that fans of the genre will likely appreciate. Although it doesn’t quite reach the level of some of the best games it’s inspired by, Code Vein 2 is still a fun game from beginning to end and I’d definitely recommend it.

Code Vein 2 will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X starting January 29th. We reviewed the game using a PlayStation 5 code provided by Game Rant.

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2026-01-27 03:05