About the original Code Vein was “anime Dark souls” then Code Vein 2 is “anime Fire Ring.” The original Code Vein launched in 2019 to a mixed reception. Code Vein 2developed and published by Bandai Namco, is a bigger, better and bolder version of its predecessor, and while it falls quite short of the FromSoftware open world epic it's clearly trying to emulate, it still delivers a rock-solid Soulslike experience that's hard to put down.
The post-apocalyptic world of Code Vein 2 has been ravaged by the deadly Resurgence, and players are tasked with taking their own vampire character back in time to save it. The plot itself is nothing to write home about, but there are character moments in the game that really shine and leave a lasting impression.
Soul-like games often live and die by their boss fights, and while I found the boss designs Code Vein 2 for being quite underwhelming compared to other games in the genre, they are elevated by the emotional weight attached to them. One of the main goals in Code Vein 2 travel back in time to meet and adventure legendary heroes to obtain the key needed to unlock their cocoon in the present, where they have been transformed into monstrous creatures. Thanks to the time travel, the bosses slowly recognize the player character and remember the time they spent with them as the fight progresses, and it gets to the point where they are literally begging to be put down by their former partner.
Code Vein 2 makes extensive use of time travel
Each hero has a distinct personality and an interesting story that, combined with the time spent exploring with them, makes you grow attached to these companions, and it's truly heartbreaking to see what they've become in the future. I wish the overall story was more engaging, but Bandai Namco does a good job of making the boss battles have more meaning than is typical for the genre thanks to how likable the characters are.
Code Vein 2s time travel gimmick is used to great effect beyond meeting and fighting the heroes. Early in the game, players travel back in time and meet a companion named Noah who they know is doomed to die. Players can choose to intervene in Noah's fate and save his life. Doing so secures a new companion for the moment, and also results in major changes to the map, such as a massive bridge suddenly appearing and connecting the starting island to the mainland where the bulk of the game takes place.
Having previous and current versions of the world map is interesting, but the map itself leaves a lot to be desired. Code Vein 2s open world is dull and annoying to navigate, with plenty of cliffs and dead ends that can make early game exploration unnecessarily confusing. Still, I find the gating in the open-world Soulslikes to be a little less boring than in the genre's more linear entries, and that goes for Code Vein 2. When I got stuck on a particularly challenging boss, there was always something else worth doing, like completing side quests, opening the world map, or simply exploring. Many enemies were killed along the way, allowing me to level up and become better equipped to fight whatever boss I got stuck with, and continue the adventure without resorting to monotonous gate sessions.
Code Vein 2 is Like an Anime Take on Elden Ring
While it has its merits, the open world is mostly a draw that serves no purpose beyond taking players longer to dive into the game's well-designed dungeons and challenging boss fights. It may have been directly inspired by Fire Rings open world, but Code Vein 2s open world doesn't come close to matching it in scope or quality.
Code Vein 2 gives players a motorcycle to make traveling across the map a bit faster. Companion characters ride on their backs, allowing players to fulfill their fantasy of exploring bland countryside with their waifus and house bandos.
Where Code Vein 2 comes a little closer Fire Ring is in the large number of ways players can build their character. Stat increases upon leveling up are predetermined, but players can choose from a variety of weapon types, companions that offer different buffs and passives, special weapons called Formae that include things like a powerful crossbow, dungeons that offer special abilities like knocking out all important mana from enemies, and blood codes that can be upgraded and have their own. I primarily played with a longsword build that included a great special attack where my character briefly disappeared, effectively dodging incoming hits, then reappeared to deliver a flurry of devastating blows. Whether you're fighting regular enemies or bosses, Code Vein 2 combat is a blast and provides plenty of options for players to shape it to their liking.
The exaggerated anime-style attacks do Code Vein 2 combat extra flashy and exciting, but the same influence drags down the overall art style. Code Vein 2 All the characters look like generic anime characters and that holds them back from being more memorable, no matter how well written their stories are. This problem is also evident in the enemy and boss designs, as well as the world, which consists of a variety of canyons, fields, caves, and industrial areas that look the same. There are occasional glimpses of beauty here and there, and some of the character designs manage to stand out, but I think a more distinct art style would have gone a long way.
Despite my disappointment with it, I admit that others can fully embrace it Code Vein 2s art style, and really my biggest issue with the game is its lackluster open world. Everything else is pretty good, too Code Vein 2 offers a fun, well-rounded Soulslike experience that should appeal to genre fans. While it may not reach the same heights as some of the heavyweights that inspired it, Code Vein 2 is still a good time from start to finish and an easy recommendation.
Code Vein 2 launches January 29 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X. Game Rant was provided with a PS5 code for this review.
