Code Vein 2 Preview: New Moon, Same Blood
▼ Summary
– Code Vein 2 is a sequel announced at Summer Game Fest, featuring a new story unconnected to the original but retaining the fast-paced action RPG style.
– The game includes a robust character creator with detailed customization options, such as adjustable teeth, ears, and outfit pieces that can be toggled on or off.
– It has a larger, interconnected overworld with travel via motorcycle and multiple dungeons, though it is not classified as open world and focuses more on character-driven missions.
– Partners play a central role, offering combat assistance, revival abilities, and an “assimilation” feature that removes them from battle to grant the player stat boosts and new skills.
– Combat involves building bleeds with weapons to gain Ichor, which is spent on powerful abilities or finisher moves, and the game introduces time travel as a key feature affecting the present based on past actions.
The announcement of Code Vein 2 at Summer Game Fest came as a welcome surprise for fans of the original. While the first game carved out a solid niche with its deep character customization, flashy combat, and extensive weapon choices, many excellent titles in this genre never receive a follow-up. Bandai Namco’s decision to revisit its unique vampire-themed universe is genuinely exciting. Although the developer has clarified that the sequel features an entirely new story, a point causing some concern among longtime players, my recent 45-minute preview left me convinced. Whether it’s a direct sequel or not, Code Vein 2 appears to be a more polished and fully realized version of the fast-paced action RPG its predecessor aimed to be.
Before the main demo began, I had a short opportunity to experiment with the character creator. For anyone who enjoyed fine-tuning every detail in the original, you’ll be pleased to know the system remains incredibly robust. You can choose from preset designs for a quick start, or dive into minute adjustments like tooth shape and ear style. I had a great time selecting a ridiculously oversized hat for my character. One standout feature is the ability to mix and match outfit pieces, you can wear a dress without being forced into an accessory you dislike, simply by toggling individual components on or off.
After finalizing my character’s look, I handed the controller back to the development team to watch a mission demonstration. The objective involved partnering with a character named Josée to restore power to a city district. They selected the quest from a large overworld map and traveled there instantly, arriving in a ruined urban area with multiple dungeons accessible by foot or motorcycle. I observed gameplay from both an optional dungeon near the starting point and the main target location, a substation where the player could potentially reactivate the city’s electrical grid.
A major question going into the preview was the game’s structure, is it open world, open zone, or something else? After multiple discussions with the team and watching the demo, the answer remains somewhat ambiguous. The developers insist it’s not a traditional open world, but they repeatedly emphasized that Code Vein 2 features a single, interconnected overworld with travel that feels “a bit more open” than the original. I watched the protagonist ride a motorcycle across sizable outdoor areas without encountering loading screens or invisible barriers, though larger boundaries may exist further out. Director Hiroshi Yoshimura mentioned the overworld is “significantly” larger than before, while dungeon sizes remain comparable to Code Vein 1.
When asked about the world design, Yoshimura stressed that the focus is less on exploration and more on the companions you meet. You’ll undertake missions tied directly to these characters, allowing you to deepen your relationships with them. Partners play a central role in Code Vein 2, especially since the sequel will not include cooperative multiplayer.
During the preview, I observed the dynamic between the main character and Josée. She wields a massive, slow-moving sword that she can ignite for both melee and ranged attacks. It’s difficult to judge AI improvements without hands-on play, but if you prefer to go solo, the new “assimilation” feature lets you absorb your partner. This removes them from combat but grants you substantial stat boosts and powerful new abilities. Another useful mechanic allows partners to revive you when you fall, and you can do the same for them, though this ability is wisely placed on a cooldown to prevent abuse.
Veterans of the original will feel right at home with the sequel’s expanded combat and customization options. Code Vein 2 encourages players to fluidly switch between different skill types. The basic flow involves using your main weapon to inflict “bleed” on enemies, then switching to your auxiliary “Jail” weapon to accumulate a resource called Ichor. Ichor can be spent on powerful abilities like “bequeathed formae,” which are special weapons such as a massive bow or shield. Alternatively, you can activate your Jails for cinematic finisher moves, like summoning a huge scythe or sprouting vampiric wings temporarily.
The game clearly rewards experimentation, finding fun and effective combinations seems key. I wish I could have explored the menus myself, because even the limited options I saw suggest players will spend hours testing different builds.
One of the most intriguing new features is time travel, though I didn’t get to see it in action. The story is set in a present day affected by a past calamity, and you and your companions gain the ability to travel back and alter history. While you’re warned against meddling, you do it anyway. You can generally move freely between past and present, and changes in the past can reshape the present, sometimes so drastically that returning becomes impossible. Without seeing this mechanic firsthand, it’s hard to gauge how impactful or engaging it will be.
On a personal note, I was thrilled to learn that Go Shiina is returning as composer. After his work on the first Code Vein and my favorite Tales games, Tales of Legendia and Tales of Zestiria, his talent is unmistakable. The music during my preview, backed by soaring strings and intense vocals, perfectly complemented the game’s high-energy battles. I’m eagerly anticipating another stellar soundtrack from him.
While Code Vein 2 breaks away completely from the first game’s narrative, its core gameplay and style feel comfortably familiar. Many fans are calling it a “soft reboot,” which feels accurate, it honors the original’s spirit without being tied down by its lore. Nothing I’ve seen so far has been revolutionary, but it doesn’t need to be. All the elements that made Code Vein enjoyable are returning, just bigger, more polished, and packed with even more action. Now, if I could just get a little more time in that character creator…
(Source: IGN)
