Bandai Namco’s utterly stylish and hardcore vampire action RPG series returns with Code Vein 2. It’s a standalone sequel to 2019’s Code Vein, featuring more open-ended and vibrant environments, extensive character creation, a multilayered combat system, and an emotional time-traveling narrative.
Code Vein 2 is one of the biggest game releases of 2026, and it’s looking to be an ambitious one. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about this upcoming vampire soulslike.
What is Code Vein 2’s story about?
Code Vein 2’s story unfolds in two different timelines. You play as a Revenant Hunter, who embarks on a journey to save a collapsing world by slaying formidable Revenant monsters corrupted by a mysterious force known as Luna Rapacis.
In Code Vein 2, the past is just as important as the present, and with the help of a woman, Lou, who possesses the ability to transcend time, you embark on a journey to discover the origins of the Luna Rapacis and prevent the world from its inevitable collapse.
How is Code Vein 2’s gameplay?
Code Vein 2 features a fast-paced yet methodical combat system that offers a labyrinth of unique weapon types, blood-draining Jail attacks, Forma abilities, and versatile partners who can aid you in taking down different kinds of horrors.
Variety is Code Vein 2’s specialty. Aside from a range of weapon types to use (more on this below), each weapon boasts four special abilities, Formae, which are special weapons that can be activated during encounters to grant buffs, deal magic attacks, or provide support.
Formae cost Vigor, which you can gain by using powerful drain attacks. You can unleash drain attacks by equipping Jail, which are flashy abilities that suit different combat styles. For instance, the Ogre Jail is a huge claw that deals slashing damage to enemies. There’s also a pair of dog-headed gauntlets called the Hound that latch onto enemies and bite them.
Different partners (NPC companions) can join you on your time-travel adventure. They can fight alongside you on their own, or you can assimilate their power and become one with them temporarily to gain certain buffs.
Code Vein 2’s environments include large stretches of overgrown plains, dilapidated buildings, shiny castles, and convoluted underground facilities. Most interior locations may pass as dungeons from traditional soulslike titles that usually erupt in boss fights.
Speaking of which, Code Vein 2 features a plethora of hard-hitting bosses with stellar character designs. These range from a skull-mask donning knight with a prosthetic claw-like arm to a gigantic four-handed mermaid-like creature who can spew fire from its mouth.
As mentioned above, you’ll have plenty of tools in your arsenal to take down all kinds of adversaries Code Vein 2 throws at you. Weapons, in particular, come in eight different types. If you have played the first game, you should be familiar with one-handed swords, two-handed swords, bayonets, hammers, halbreds, and longbows. In addition to these, Code Vein 2 introduces two new weapon types – dual swords and rune blades.
Dual Swords, as the name suggests, let you unleash a flurry of spinning attacks on enemies. Rune Blades work slightly differently, using Formae power to levitate weapons and make them move independently for solo coordinated attacks.
What made Code Vein special?
Code Vein stood out primarily for its anime vampire aesthetics, in-depth character creation system, and challenging combat. As a massive fan of Bloodborne, I thought Code Vein’s reveal trailer screamed anime Bloodborne, and that, in itself, was immensely appealing to me and several FromSoftware fans.
It’s also worth mentioning that Code Vein was directed by God Eater 1&2 director Hiroshi Yoshimura, a series known for its fast-paced but layered combat system and distinctive post-apocalyptic setting. Code Vein borrowed some of the best elements of the God Eater games, such as varied weapon types, tantalizing-looking special abilities, and overall powerfantasy that comes from mixing and matching various combat maneuvers.
Code Vein 2 seems to retain everything that made the first game special—combat options, character creation—and expand upon it without sacrificing its core appeal. This includes open-ended and visually distinct environments, a more intricate character creation system, an emotional time-traveling narrative, and several new weapon types and abilities.
Code Vein 2 launches on Jan. 30, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
