Code Vein 2, the sequel to Bandai Namco’s 2019 Soulslike action-RPG Code Vein, was announced recently during Summer Game Fest. The reveal trailer provided glimpses of gameplay and a bit of story but thanks to new information, we now know more details about the upcoming action-RPG set to launch sometime in 2026.
In an interview with GameSpot, Keita Iizuka, producer of Code Vein and its sequel, shed some light on Code Vein 2’s aspirations, particularly when it comes to From Software comparisons. “Yes, games like Elden Ring are very praised,” said Iizuka. “But I like to consider those games our rivals.”
Iizuka talked about expanding the scope of Code Vein 2 beyond its predecessor. The first game mostly had a clear path forward (like most Soulslike titles) but it gave players enough room to explore and discover intertwining paths and hidden areas. However, the sequel will greatly expand upon that idea, letting players loose in an open environment – but not necessarily open-world – to allow them to freely discover bosses and dungeons at their own pace. You can see where the Elden Ring inspiration comes into play.
To help keep exploration moving at a brisk pace, the game will give players a motorcycle to get around faster. Of course, like the first game, the player character will be fully customisable too. Iizuka also dropped the bombshell that the sequel will have no narrative connection to the first game, which is a bit surprising considering the implications of the first title’s cliffhanger ending. Perhaps the twists are being saved for the final product. “It is a new world, new characters, and a new story,” said Iizuka.
Code Vein 2 will feature a time-travel mechanic where actions and quests in the past can impact the future. That’s quite unique for the Soulslike genre and it will be interesting to see how the sequel bakes it into the role-playing aspects. Iizuka provided an example where saving a bridge repairman in the past will give them access to a new dungeon in the present (that would otherwise be inaccessible).
This will tie into the game’s overall narrative. As a revenant hunter, you must travel between the past and the present to better a world that has been threatened by a “world-destroying force.” Humans and revenants (this game’s version of vampires) must work together to achieve this goal.
However, the producer also stressed that Code Vein 2 isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel but rather refine the best elements of the Soulslike genre. To achieve this, the partner system, which was introduced in the first game, will also be improved in certain ways. Players will able to recruit a number of NPCs to accompany them on their adventures, some of which could have story implications.
Code Vein 2 launches in 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Source: GameSpot
