Code Vein II’s Tragic Approach To A Soulslike Is Effective, Even If You Missed The First Game

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Even if you didn’t play the first Code Vein, you shouldn’t hesitate to jump into the sequel. This new game from Bandai Namco successfully combines beautiful anime visuals with the challenging, dark atmosphere of Dark Souls. It’s a great-looking game with gameplay that can be customized to suit a variety of player preferences, making it enjoyable from the very beginning.

I recently got to check out Code Vein II at a preview event during the Game Awards, and let me tell you, this souls-like game is seriously cool. The world is really well-designed, and the gameplay feels fantastic, but what really stuck with me was the story. It’s super tragic and gripping, and honestly, it’s got me completely hooked and counting down the days until it releases later this month!

Code Vein II Is The Ultimate Anime/Dark Souls Game

Code Vein II, like many games inspired by the Souls series, has a dark and serious tone that fits its story and world. However, its strong focus on characters gives it a particularly emotional impact, helping it stand out from similar games. You don’t need to have played the first Code Vein to enjoy this standalone title. It’s set in a world where humans and revenants coexist peacefully, but a past disaster has left many heroes dead or transformed. The player must journey between the present and the past to try and save the future. After a detailed character creation process, players begin their adventure by exploring the Sunken Pylon dungeon alongside Josee Anjou, a hero from a hundred years ago.

If you’ve played a rogue-like game recently, you’ll quickly understand the gameplay. It features responsive controls and a wide variety of weapons, from swords and spears to hammers and even a rifle. I personally favored the rifle for distance, but switched to a ridiculously large hammer when enemies got too close. Exploring the dungeons feels polished, with satisfying action and reliable controls that make both victories and defeats feel exciting, not frustrating. The game cleverly uses time travel and resurrection mechanics without disrupting the immersive experience, especially as you uncover the heartbreaking story of the character Josee through glimpses into her past.

The game features a Partner Mechanic where you’ll team up with an NPC ally who helps in battles. Building a strong relationship with your partner adds an extra layer of health for you, which can be vital when facing tough enemies in the dungeon. You can also choose to Assimilate your ally, removing them from the fight but significantly boosting your own power.

If you’re looking for a tough but rewarding experience, try Assimilation mode. Having Josee as a companion was a big help during the challenging final boss fight in the Sunken Pylon. The battle against the Metagen Remnant really captured the feeling of games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring – a huge, immersive fantasy fight against a terrifying enemy. It was difficult, but the wide range of weapons and large arena encouraged trying different strategies and slowly making progress (and using a rifle in this type of game is surprisingly enjoyable!). Still, none of that could have prepared us for the second boss in the demo.

Code Vein II’s Tragic Core Is What Makes It So Good

Leaving the past and a heartfelt goodbye to Josee – a character we’d helped grow – the game returns to the present, where we finally free her from a hundred years of imprisonment. Surprisingly, she hasn’t become the next boss we have to fight, as the ancient battle corrupted her. Instead, we face a challenging and fitting conflict, with Josee attacking using sword strikes that feel instantly recognizable after just fighting alongside her.

As the player recovers her memories and discovers the formidable boss is actually an old friend, the boss pleads to be defeated. This creates a surprisingly moving moment, achieved through impactful dialogue and music – something few action games manage to do so effectively. Beating Josee in this form allows for a final goodbye, a bittersweet scene that tempers any feeling of victory. The tragedy is compounded by the realization that the player may have to repeat this heartbreaking act with other allies to justify past sacrifices, adding to the overall sense of horror and despair.

Even when you’re trying to be the hero in Code Vein II, it comes with a heavy emotional cost that isn’t just shown in cutscenes. The game forces you to fight and defeat your allies, adding a powerful emotional weight to the experience that goes beyond typical action RPGs. The more you connect with and depend on your companions, the harder it is to accept that you’ll ultimately be the one to destroy them, making each encounter much more impactful.

The developers have skillfully crafted a captivating story that draws players into the game’s world, making success feel both rewarding and tinged with sadness. This approach perfectly matches the game’s serious mood and portrays the dying world players are trying to save, creating a fantastic blend of gameplay, visuals, and narrative. Even if you haven’t played the original Code Vein, any fan of challenging action games should experience Code Vein II and accept that sometimes, even winning comes with a cost.

Code Vein II launches January 30, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

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2026-01-05 23:14