How Code Vein 2 Is Shaping Up To Be One of the Biggest Games of 2026

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We almost missed Code Vein, but we’re glad we didn’t! It’s a really good game with a compelling story and fun combat that kept us engaged for a long time. While we enjoyed it, a few minor issues prevented us from wanting to replay it, so we moved on to other games.

Even though the original game was great, experiencing it for the first time was truly memorable. Now, with the sequel almost here, it’s much larger and more ambitious. However, just because it’s bigger doesn’t automatically mean it will be better.

We’re optimistic that Bandai Namco understands the potential issues with sequels as well as we do. Code Vein 2 has the potential to be one of the best games of the year, and it could really stand out. Let’s take a closer look at what might make it even better than the original.

Okay, so let’s talk about why I loved the first game. What really grabbed me was the story – it was just so well done and really pulled me in. I was totally invested in everything that happened as I played. Now, let’s see how the sequel builds on that and why it’s shaping up to be one of the best games of 2026!

We also enjoyed getting to know the characters we met throughout the game. Each companion and important character had a unique personality, interesting quirks, and a compelling personal story that made us want to build strong relationships with them. While the rewards for doing so were good, it was the characters themselves that motivated us to invest time and effort in deepening those connections.

We really grew to care about our team members, and we often switched who joined us on missions just to give everyone a chance to participate. The missions themselves flowed naturally, though we recognize the game’s levels were fairly linear – something we plan to improve. The level design was generally excellent and really immersed us in the world, with some levels being particularly memorable for their time. The AI was decent for solo players, but there was still potential to make it even better.

While the game had strengths, its straightforward structure sometimes felt limiting. Side paths usually led to the same types of rewards – collectibles, story details, or upgrade materials. Certain levels, particularly those focusing on companion backstories through flashbacks, became repetitive and frustrating. Instead of eagerly learning more about our companions, uncovering their stories felt like a tedious task, turning potentially rewarding discoveries into a chore. This detracted from the experience of getting to know the characters who were so important to the game’s narrative.

While these problems were small compared to the overall great experience, they’re worth discussing, especially considering Bandai Namco’s efforts to both improve the game and maintain what made it so enjoyable. Luckily, the results are positive on both counts.

The sequel, Code Vein II, will feature a significantly bigger and more open world to explore. The addition of a motorcycle suggests a much larger map this time around. Given Bandai Namco’s experience, we expect the game will address criticisms about the first game’s linear design from the start.

This approach also lets the game reveal story details and character backgrounds gradually, in different places, instead of relying on those repetitive flashbacks we all disliked. It’s a great way to make learning about your companions feel surprising, engaging, and worthwhile.

Adding a fresh story with entirely new characters to this established world is a great move. It allows us to meet interesting new faces while expanding the overall scope of the game. This is particularly evident in the improved time travel mechanics, which could allow players to impact events across different timelines in exciting ways.

This new feature has really caught our attention, and we’re eager to see how the game reacts to choices we make in the past. It’s a great improvement over the first game, which had time travel but presented events in a fixed order. We had to reach certain points in the story to learn about the world and how everything connected to our adventure.

The story is good, but the ability to change things and see how it affects the outcome will likely encourage many players, including us, to play through the game again and again. This is a big plus for how much replay value Code Vein II offers. The improved character creation system will also help make each playthrough feel fresh, addressing a concern we had with the first game’s limited customization options.

The combat system is a standout feature, building on what made the first game great. The sequel introduces new weapons, special attacks called Forma, and powerful skills from your allies. This mix of old and new should keep battles exciting while still feeling familiar – and, if done right, could even surpass the original game’s combat.

The game aims to have better boss battles with more natural movements and animations, which would be a welcome improvement over Code Vein. It remains to be seen if these changes fully deliver on that promise. The same applies to the updated revival system and how the AI behaves. Since there’s no multiplayer in this installment, your AI partner will be even more important for overcoming the challenges Bandai Namco has planned.

Removing multiplayer is a bold move, but it suggests the developers of Code Vein II are confident in their vision. For this change to succeed, the game’s AI companion needs to be strong enough to make up for the lack of human players, and keep everyone satisfied.

In the first game, we often found our allies too easily knocked down, which was frustrating and disrupted the flow of combat, especially when we were first learning the game. We’re curious to see if the new game addresses this. Considering Bandai Namco’s recent track record, they’ve likely found a good balance that will make Code Vein II’s combat feel unique and competitive with other major releases this year.

The ability to combine your companion with your character for a stat increase shows how much more adaptable the gameplay is, letting skilled players even try completing the game solo in unique ways. These changes look like they’ll make the new game significantly better than the previous one, which is high praise considering how good the last game in the series was.

We’re cautiously hopeful about Code Vein II, but knowing the experienced Bandai Namco is developing it definitely makes us eager to try it. It will face tough competition, though, as several highly anticipated games are scheduled to release this year.

I’m really excited about Code Vein II and wondering if it can compete with the best games of the year! It’s hard to say for sure right now, but everything I’ve seen suggests it’s got a good chance. They’ve made a lot of improvements, and it looks like they’re building on what made the first Code Vein so great – hopefully, it lives up to the hype and becomes a fantastic sequel!

We’re really hoping the new game lives up to its predecessor and that it kicks off a great year for action-adventure games. We’ll be playing it as soon as it comes out later this week and will share our full review with you then!

The opinions shared in this article are the author’s own and don’t reflect the official stance of GamingBolt.

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2026-01-26 21:43