
What sets Code Vein apart is that it didn’t simply apply an anime style to the established Soulslike formula, as seen in 2025’s AI Limit. Instead, it fundamentally reimagined core genre concepts through a strong narrative focus. The game prioritizes relationships with companions, offers a highly customizable character build system, and integrates story elements directly into gameplay, allowing players to connect with both the characters and the world through dialogue and cutscenes, not just through item descriptions. With a sequel, Code Vein II, on the horizon and other anime-inspired Soulslike games emerging, it’s worth revisiting what made the original Code Vein so unique. While AI Limit was a personal favorite of mine in 2025 (ranking at number 10), it adhered more closely to traditional Soulslike conventions. Code Vein* remains a standout title in the genre, and it’s worth examining what made it special when it first released.