Anime-inspired soulslike from Summer Game Fest: Code Vein 2 early impressions

If you’re anything like me, you missed when Code Vein came out in 2019, so when Code Vein 2 was announced at Summer Game Fest, you weren’t sure what to expect either. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to sit in on a Code Vein 2 presentation hosted by Bandai Namco at Summer Game Fest’s Play Days the weekend after the showcase. This follow-up to the original is not a sequel; it does not take place in the same world or feature the same characters. However, it is still an anime souls-like RPG where characters use blood to form their weapons. So, if that sounds great to you, you’ve come to the right place.

Anime-inspired souls-like Code Vein 2 impressions from Summer Game Fest

The hallmark of any good souls-like is challenge. Some might say it’s more about the actual genre, maybe it’s an aesthetic thing, or that you have to pick up dropped resources from the point you died. But these days, souls-like is practically synonymous with difficulty. In Code Vein 2, you will be fighting against massive, gothic enemies with a variety of weapons and abilities. This game focuses more on parrying and defensive skills rather than dodging or dodge rolling. However, the most significant difference from the best-known souls-like games is the partner system.

You may remember a character from the trailer who has a glowing orange heart in their chest. This is Lou, and she appears to be the primary companion for Code Vein 2. In the story, Lou has saved the protagonist’s life through some kind of revival. In battle, she will assist by rushing in and dealing damage. From the short gameplay videos shown at Summer Game Fest, it appears that the enemies primarily focus on attacking the player. I’m not quite sure to what extent the protagonist will need to defend their partner in battle, or if they can be knocked down. But Lou’s key ability in Code Vein 2 is the ability to travel through time.

Code Vein 2 revolves around both the past and the present. Search for clues in the past to prevent future destruction. The presentation demonstrated how past choices can have a lasting impact on the future. It was too early to delve into the fine details, but I am curious to see how deeply this mechanic will be explored.

In Code Vein 2, a phenomenon known as the Luna Rapacis has begun transforming Revenants into Horrors. As a Revenant Hunter, it is your job to track down these monstrosities. Drain blood from enemies to power your formae: your various weapons and abilities. There are three main types of formae (pronounced ‘for-muh’): offensive, defensive, and bequeathed. The first two are self-explanatory, but the third might not be the term you were expecting to hear. Bequeathed formae are granted to the player after defeating certain bosses. These can vary from a ranged weapon, such as a bow and arrow, to something used outside of combat, like a motorcycle.

The protagonist from the trailer has an iconic anime-inspired look. Still, if character customization is more interesting to you, you’ll be happy to know that Code Vein 2 greatly expands on the character customization options from the first Code Vein. Not only is the appearance fully customizable, but each character can follow branching weapon and ability upgrade options to make every playthrough unique.

Code Vein 2 was only just revealed at Summer Game Fest, so it will be some time before we learn more, including a potential release date. However, the end of the reveal trailer did suggest a 2026 release date. At Summer Game Fest, there was no opportunity for a hands-on demo of the game, only curated slides and clips of gameplay. I wouldn’t put money down on an early 2026 release, but maybe later in the year is more reasonable. But when it does eventually launch, you can expect to see Code Vein 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.

Code Vein 2

January 30, 2026

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• Overview

• Bandai Namco Entertainment
• soulslike
• Summer Game Fest