Code Vein II is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S on January 30. This sequel builds upon the original game’s combat while introducing an original story and setting. The partner system, featuring NPC companions, has been reworked and expanded, becoming a central element of both gameplay and narrative.
A recent closed preview event for Code Vein II showcased several hours of gameplay and included an interview with series director Hiroshi Yoshimura and producer Keita Iizuka. Both are returning from the first game to deliver an enhanced sequel.
The variety of NPC partner characters, a key mechanic from the original Code Vein, has been significantly emphasized in Code Vein II. Yoshimura noted that the identity of Code Vein lies in “traversing these difficult dungeons and encounters with your partner, and that sense of achievement you get from overcoming them together.” This positive feedback from the first game is a core focus for the sequel.
Same but Different
Players new to the original Code Vein do not need to worry about prior story knowledge. Code Vein II reinterprets themes and visuals from the first game—such as powerful, vampiric Revenants in a post-apocalyptic world—within an entirely new setting and narrative. While fans of the first game may find familiar elements, new players can dive in without needing to catch up on lore.
The game embraces its anime influences, featuring a dramatic and intricate plot filled with unique terminology. This installment introduces a time travel narrative. Iizuka explained that the decision to create an unrelated story was to avoid affecting events from the original game: “If this had been a continuation of the previous world/character/game, then players could potentially alter events that have already occurred in Code Vein. The developers wanted to preserve the player’s experience from the first game.”
Josée and the Pussycats
Code Vein II depicts a world on the verge of collapse. Humans and Revenants, vampiric beings, now coexist. A century prior, Revenants attempted to defeat a catastrophic force known as The Resurgence but failed to seal it, leading to the creation of Luna Rapacis. This entity transforms Revenants into mindless horrors, accelerating the Resurgence’s progress.
Players assume the role of a Revenant Hunter tasked with saving the world. This involves defeating Fallen Heroes of the Resurgence—corrupted Revenants from 100 years ago who failed to seal the threat and are now sealed in cocoons. A unique time-traveling Revenant assists in this mission. Players must journey into the past, encounter these heroes in their prime, aid them in their personal quests, and then return to the present to defeat their monstrous forms. Yoshimura stated that “the overarching mission is going to be to defeat all of these heroes, the order of which is up to the players themselves,” highlighting the central role of partner characters in both gameplay and story structure.
During a demo session, players experienced a section involving Josée Anjou, a formidable Revenant wielding a giant sword, characterized by pink hair and an eyepatch. Josée is a stoic protector burdened by past guilt. In her present timeline, players helped her purify polluted water in the Sunken City, a flooded urban ruin, by battling an enormous, sphinx-like creature called the Metagen Remnant. The journey to the boss was interspersed with flashback scenes revealing Josée’s personal history with her sister. Ultimately, players returned to the present to confront a monstrous and challenging version of Josée, facing the tragic backstory of the creature as it relentlessly attacked.
Formae and Function
Combat is a highlight of Code Vein II, featuring an intricate network of interconnected systems. The core mechanics of stamina management, light/heavy attacks, and dodging will be familiar to fans of Soulslike games. Code Vein II then introduces extensive layers of customization.
Blood Codes, returning from the first game, function as hot-swappable classes that re-scale player stats for various builds, rather than fixed stats. Beyond a range of one- and two-handed weapons with distinct movesets, Formae (an evolved version of the first game’s Gifts) are powerful special moves discovered throughout the game and can be equipped to compatible weapons. These abilities consume Ichor, a resource replenished by executing special drain attacks.
The system of generating resources for special abilities through attacks creates a risk/reward dynamic, encouraging aggressive combat. Code Vein II aims to empower players to experiment with their playstyle, offering the flexibility to completely reconfigure strengths and movesets at any time using Formae and Blood Codes.
And my Greatsword!
Partners play a significant role in combat customization, each providing unique passive bonuses that improve as the player’s relationship with them deepens. Players can either Summon partners to fight alongside them, providing crucial enemy aggro in difficult encounters, or Assimilate them to gain additional power and stats. This allows players who prefer to tackle challenges solo to still engage with the partner system, which is integral to the game’s narrative.
A notable benefit from partners is the Restorative Offering, where they sacrifice themselves to revive the player when HP reaches zero, before quickly respawning to rejoin the fight. This feature proved invaluable during challenging boss encounters in the preview, offering a critical buffer to extend time in battle.
Regarding difficulty mitigation, Yoshimura emphasized the partners’ role. When encountering a difficulty spike, players can explore to level up and acquire new equipment, Formae, and Blood Codes for experimentation. The assistance provided by partners, such as drawing enemy attention and offering revivals, “increases this trial and error cycle,” which helps “keep the difficulty balance in check in a way that the players won’t hit this wall or feel this huge level of frustration, because the partner opens up that window for different ways of exploring encounters.”
The difficulty jump between exploration and boss fights was substantial, indicating that these encounters will demand considerable effort. However, Code Vein II offers numerous tools and customization options, ensuring that overcoming these challenges feels like a personal victory, even with a helping hand.
Players can meet and defeat Josée and all the other partner characters on January 30 when Code Vein II arrives on Xbox Series X|S. A character creator demo also releases on January 23.
