Bandai Namco, the long-time publisher of From Software’s seminal *Souls* franchise and *Elden Ring*, is once again diving into the punishing but popular Souls-like genre with *Code Vein II*. Following the 2019 debut, which offered a distinct anime aesthetic to the brutal format, the sequel appears ready to significantly raise the bar.
We recently had a chance to go hands-on with the next installment during The Game Awards week, and while the experience confirmed substantial improvements to the core combat system and an intriguing new spin on the traditional “summon” mechanic, the true highlight was the narrative. *Code Vein II* surprised us with an original story that manages to deliver genuine emotional impact—a significant step up from the solid foundation laid by the first game.
The world of *Code Vein II* is steeped in tragedy, depicting a desperate coexistence between humans and the vampiric Revenants. Our demo picked up in the present day, immediately throwing players into the devastating consequences of the Resurgence, a cataclysmic event that slowly twists the Revenants into mindless, monstrous beasts. Where the original *Code Vein* was a successful experiment, this sequel feels like the moment the franchise finally nailed the formula.