How Code Vein 2’s Companion System Changes the Soulslike Formula

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Fans have been eagerly awaiting Code Vein 2, the sequel to Bandai Namco’s popular anime-style action RPG, Code Vein. This new installment features several improvements and additions to the original game, along with entirely new features. While the shift to a fully open world has had mixed results, the biggest highlight is the revamped companion system. This innovative feature has the potential to significantly impact the soulslike genre and will likely appeal to both long-time fans and new players.

While companions in Code Vein 2 offer emotional support as a consistent presence in a dark world, their biggest strength lies in combat. This feature sets Code Vein 2 apart from many other soulslike games, which usually require summoning to gain assistance, ultimately changing how the game plays.

Code Vein 2’s Companions Make Everything Better

In Code Vein 2, your companions significantly impact the way battles play out in this soulslike game. They can either fight with you directly, or form a bond that provides different advantages. While bonding is generally more helpful against tough enemies like bosses, both options work well in any situation. I personally enjoyed having my companion actively fight alongside me, but I would switch between the two depending on the enemy I was facing.

Having a companion fight with you offers two main advantages. First, they can draw enemy attention, giving you a chance to recover or heal. When you’re apart, your companion will attack enemies, reducing their health and sometimes stopping their attacks. Just remember, you still need to deal enough damage to keep enemies defeated and prevent them from regaining health.

The other way to play is by combining with your companion. When you do, your stats and abilities get a boost, letting you deal and withstand more damage. The specific improvements depend on who your companion is. I didn’t use this combined form as often as the solo one, but I appreciated the extra power it gave me – it sometimes meant the difference between winning and losing. Both playstyles have their uses, and you’ll learn when to switch between them as you get better at the game.

New Players Will Love Companions

Companions in combat offer more than just increased stats, help drawing enemy attention, and a friendly presence. The most useful feature in Code Vein 2 is their ability to revive you when you’re defeated. If your health reaches zero, a companion will temporarily sacrifice themselves to get you back on your feet with some health restored. You also get a short period of invincibility, giving you a chance to assess the situation. I often used this opportunity to retreat, heal, and plan my next move – which happened quite frequently!

Don’t depend on your companion always being able to save you. After they revive you, there’s a cooldown period where they can’t revive you again, and you also lose any bonuses they provide, even if you’ve bonded with them. I often played cautiously after being revived, giving my companion time to recover. It’s important to find a good balance between attacking and defending – you really don’t want your companion to fall when it matters most. I lost a lot of progress in boss fights because I got too carried away and both my companion and I were defeated.

Companions are a great help for new players, mainly because they can bring you back to life when you fall in battle. Code Vein 2 has complex and rewarding combat, but it takes time to master. You’ll start out easily defeating enemies, but things quickly become more challenging. Having a companion is especially useful for beginners or anyone learning the ropes, but even experienced players will find them valuable—there’s always a tough enemy waiting to give you trouble!

Companions Did Kill Code Vein 2’s Multiplayer

I really enjoy the companion system in Code Vein 2, but it means the game no longer has the multiplayer feature that was a key part of the original Code Vein. Instead of playing with friends online, you now rely on computer-controlled companions. While modders might add multiplayer back in, it’s not available in the base game. This change is definitely controversial, and I expect fans will have strong opinions on it. Personally, I like having companions, but I can see why some players miss the ability to play with others online.

Removing multiplayer is a significant loss for players who like to team up or compete with friends. In soulslike games, multiplayer usually increases the difficulty for cooperative groups or lets players challenge each other, creating exciting unpredictability. This feature’s absence in Code Vein 2 will likely disappoint many fans of the genre.

I understand the thinking behind this decision, and I think it’s a good one. Giving players AI companions sets Code Vein 2 apart from other similar games, and those companions are important to the story. More importantly, they add a lot of variety and new possibilities to combat. Each companion offers unique advantages, making fights more interesting. I believe removing multiplayer was a worthwhile trade-off, because it allows the companion system to really stand out. If multiplayer were included, players would likely just play with friends instead of using the AI companions.

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2026-01-27 22:16