Bandai Namco has developer FromSoftware's Elden Ring and Dark Souls franchises under its wing, but that hasn't stopped the publisher from pursuing other takes on the Souls experience. The upcoming Code Vein 2 is Bandai Namco's second go-around with this particularly unique spin on the Soulslike, building off the original Code Vein's twist of an anime-inspired dark fantasy where players and their chosen partner braved treacherous dungeons in style.
The sequel focuses even more on building its cast of characters and giving a greater reason to feel invested in a world that will be shaped by your actions across two time periods. Picture an anime-style Dark Souls by way of Back to the Future. I recently had some hands-on time with Code Vein 2, learning more about the mix of sci-fi and dark fantasy and how the developers want to build on the original's character-first action-RPG stylings.
