Code Vein 2

Code Vein II doesn’t just take a superficial anime aesthetic and use it as window dressing on a popular genre. Its story and charming cast elevate it to create a unique middle ground that will appeal to JRPG and Soulslike fans alike. It’s got its fair share of issues, such as the performance woes and boring enemy fodder design. Still, if you’re looking to ease into the Soulslike genre before hitting the big leagues, Code Vein II is worth spilling blood over.

All in all, Code Vein II feels like a more confident sequel where it counts - and as someone who was never quite a big fan of the original, it's a testament that I'm all on board to play this one right at launch, even when the genre has become that much more crowded in the years since Code Vein's release. Code Vein II feels like it's up to the task of standing out, now all that's left is to see if it can stick that landing.

It would've been far better to jettison that component and just focus on complete freedom of customization, of which there is plenty throughout: movesets, weapon abilities, combos, you name it. Code Vein 2 is at its best when you can string together ridiculous combos and go all out with unique multifaceted builds you've customized yourself. It's a strength so at odds with the idea of Soulslikes — with their methodical combat and builds centered on one or two specific pieces of equipment — that I wonder why Bandai Namco didn't just abandon that mimicry and lean into what makes Code Vein distinct to begin with.