Review – Code Vein II

arrives with a clear message that it is not just another game of the same, but rather an attempt to make the series’ identity more authorial, more aggressive in combat and more ambitious in structure, with the direct continuation of the action RPG that came out in 2019, but suffered from harsh criticism.

After a brief beginning, which serves as a combat tutorial, we get to know the MagMell (a kind of HUB in the game) and discover more about the history of this world, which takes place in a dystopian future in which humans and apparitions coexist precariously, but this fragile harmony is broken by the sudden emergence of Luna Rapacis, transforming apparitions (revenants) into creatures called horrors. As an apparition hunter, you take on the role of the protagonist and need to travel through time to prevent the collapse of this future with the help of Lou MagMell, a girl capable of manipulating time, on a journey that alternates past and present in search of breaking points where destiny can still be rewritten.

Narrative through time

The best thing is that, expanding the more dramatic style of the first, in the best anime style, this initial plot does not use time travel just as an excuse for a script, but as an artifice for narrative construction through themes, such as guilt, memory and choices, rescuing some of the issue of bonds, debt and blood, which divided opinions in the first game, but now with more weight and depth due to this return and other points of view between villainy and companionship.

Code Vein II presents substantial changes compared to the original 2019 game, the most notable being the transition from a linear structure to an expansive open world that allows free exploration, including the use of a motorcycle at certain times. The new arsenal system, with Formae, represents a significant addition, allowing players to customize weapons and abilities according to their combat style, expanding the offensive and defensive options available during battles.

The Assimilation and Restorative Offering mechanics transform partner dynamics, allowing the player to summon AI-controlled allies to fight alongside them or assimilate them to incorporate their abilities and receive status buffs in solo combat. Progression through Blood Codes has been refined, offering different combat styles with pre-determined attributes that prioritize strength, dexterity or vitality, finding a middle ground between creative freedom and build direction.

Code Vein II’s combat system maintains the pillars of the soulslike genre with stamina management, precise dodges, attack windows and bosses that require pattern reading, but incorporates hack-and-slash elements that allow for more aggressive approaches. The unique blood drain mechanic returns enhanced, allowing players to extract Icor from enemies to use powerful abilities, with Jails, formerly known as Blood Veils, offering special equipment linked to abilities and different forms of absorption.

The Partner System gains depth with Bond Traits, which vary between characters and can increase attack or defense. In addition, we have the Formae, which expand tactical options during combat, including the Bequeathed Formae, which summon unique weapons, such as the Absolute Executioner, a colossal sword capable of delivering a devastating finishing blow. All of this in a more open world, in which exploration between past and present practically doubles the number of available areas, as certain locations are accessible in just one timeline, creating a feeling of breadth that surpasses the original game.

Comparing to the first Code Vein, what stands out the most is not just the technical evolution, but how the mechanics around draining and spending Icor are at the center of everything, requiring you to use absorption attacks wisely to master the rhythm, instead of just using them as an extra when executing a submission. Just as the first game worked great as a gateway to a more accessible soulslike, the result is that Code Vein II managed to become more rewarding when you understand your own style to enjoy how the combat unfolds.

The gothic style that oozes personality

The art direction of Code Vein II embraces a more pronounced gothic theme, with scenarios that convey a Victorian and medieval atmosphere mixed with elements of realism, creating an interesting visual contrast with the anime aesthetic characteristic of the series. The design of the horrors follows a line closer to Bloodborne, with Lovecraftian-looking creatures that contrast with the more stylized-looking revenants, creating an aesthetic duality that reinforces the post-apocalyptic nature of the world. The art direction continues to be one of the game’s greatest highlights, where even when the scenario design isn’t technically impressive, the visual style makes up for it and maintains the franchise’s unique identity.

Composed by the legendary Go Shiina, Code Vein II’s soundtrack perfectly captures the dark, emotional and atmospheric tone that defines the game experience, balancing moments of intense battles with more melancholic and reflective passages. The composition includes memorable tracks that punctuate both exploration and boss battles with a distinct musical identity, creating an emotional bridge between the two games in the franchise by rescuing some themes, while intensifying the adrenaline of epic confrontations and offering moments of contemplative respite. The partnership with the band VAMPS returns with songs like “Underworld” and “In This Hell”, adding a layer of Japanese rock that reinforces the hybrid identity between eastern culture and western gothic aesthetics.

Unfortunately, the perfection sought for the visuals and soundtrack did not keep up with the fluidity of the gameplay, causing problems with the movement, which is harsh and abrupt at times, even with problems with the accuracy of the hitboxes. Even though these are easy points to adjust in updates soon after launch, the developers made choices that go against the grain of more fluid soulslike games such as, for example, The First Berserker: Khazan and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, with resumption and recovery times after basic actions that can be interrupted by enemy actions before you have the control to react.

Code Vein II represents a significant advancement for Bandai Namco’s franchise, delivering a more ambitious and polished experience than its 2019 predecessor. The game succeeds in expanding its world, refining combat mechanics and offering a progression system that encourages constant experimentation with builds and play styles. The time travel narrative adds interesting layers to the plot and the transition to the open world brings both benefits and challenges, with expansive areas that cannot always offer interesting content to be played.

If combat continues to be one of the best parts of the game, offering genuinely exciting moments when all systems align, even with occasional problems and even due to the difficulty curve, Conde Vein II fulfills its promise of evolution, becoming a good option for those looking for a stylish soulslike with its own identity, as well as being less punishing and full of customization.