Code Vein 2 review – the Soulslike sequel that is not a sequel

Seven years after the original, Bandai Namco release a surprise sequel to Code Vein that combines familiar Soulslike gameplay with time-travelling vampires.

Back when the original Code Vein was released in 2019, the concept of the Soulslike was already well established. It had proven itself to be more than a mere fad and was at the stage of becoming a recognised genre in its own right, with most publishers rushing to make their own examples. That always happens when there’s something new to copy and yet most of those games were quickly forgotten, which is also usually what happens.

The problem with Soulslikes that aren’t by Dark Souls creator FromSoftware, is that not only do they copy the gameplay but they almost always copy the same dark gothic setting as well. Even though changing that would be the easiest and most obvious way for the game to distinguish itself. The anime style visuals of the original Code Vein make it one of the few games to realise this (Another Crab’s Treasure is one of the only others).

It didn’t seem to be a particularly big hit though and given the length of time since the original it was a bit of a shock to see a sequel announced. Although it barely counts as a sequel, as it’s not set in the same fictional world and there are no returning characters. Also, it’s notable worse than the first game.

We imagine the change in setting is because Bandai Namco don’t want to put off anyone that didn’t play the original. The set-up is still similar though and revolves around what are essentially vampires in a magical post-apocalyptic world. The storytelling in the first game was a slog but this time round it’s almost impenetrable, with uninteresting characters, dull cut scenes, and a nonsensical time travel plot that we doubt even most of the developers fully understand.

The gist is that to prevent the apocalypse happening in the first place you have to travel back in time, but whatever potential that set-up had is wasted by the fact that there’s almost no visual or gameplay difference between the two time periods.

The graphics are disappointing all round, as while they were rather unrefined in the original their bold cel-shaded look was very distinctive. But while the visuals are still anime inspired in the sequel, they’re much less cartoonish and ultimately a lot blander. Even on a technical level the game is a far less impressive looking game than the original, which was only a PlayStation 4 title. There’s tons of pop-up everywhere, notable slowdown at times, and the whole world is just ugly and dull to look at.

In terms of its gameplay, Code Vein 2 is much more component, but no more than that. Combat certainly is the highlight, with plenty of different weapons and special attacks, with the latter powered by ichor that you drain from enemies with a move (called a jail strike) that’s more effective the more times you’ve wounded your opponent.

The intention is to make sure you’re playing as aggressively as possible and in that it works well. Another unique element is that you always have an AI ally helping out alongside you, who is essentially impossible to kill – unlike the original Code Vein. They act similarly to a mid-range Spirit Ash in Elden Ring, except they’ll also revive you, although in doing so they’ll disappear for a short time.

Die repeatedly and they’ll take longer to come back, while the amount of health they restore shrinks. Die when they’re not that there and it’s game over. It’s a neat system, that’s well thought out, even if, like Spirit Ashes, the allies are most useful simply as distractions.

The biggest problem with the combat – other than the easily confused camera – is how often you have to battle the same enemy. Even bosses are repeated ad nauseum, in a manner that seems absolutely unnecessary. Bandai Namco must surely know that the magic of discovering a new boss, and working out how to beat them, is one of the core appeals of a Soulslike but that’s not reflected in Code Vein 2 at all.

There are new and interesting ideas here, but they’re usually sandwiched between elements that are either overfamiliar or just poorly thought out. The game has a more open world structure than the original but while the map is moderately interesting to explore (you have a motorbike, which is worryingly reminiscent of Metroid Prime 4) the dungeons are just as repetitive and uninspired as the constantly repeated enemies.

Code Vein 2 is a very odd game, in that it looks and feels like the kind of coattail-riding rush job that a publisher would knock out quickly to take advantage of a new fad. But it’s 2026 and Dark Souls came out in 2011. Not only is this sequel incredibly late to the party but it’s predecessor, despite not being particularly good itself, is a much better game in almost every respect.

It’s obvious that Code Vein 2 is not a big budget game but that only deepens the mystery of why it exists at all. There has been a notable decrease in new Soulslikes over the last 12 months and while that seems to be just a coincidence, with plenty scheduled for this year, the only thing Code Vein 2 does for the genre is make you wonder whether it may have run its course.

Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Price: £54.99
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
Release Date: 29th January 2026
Age Rating: 16

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