Code Vein 2 Announced: Bandai Namco Doubles Down on Anime Soulslike Ambition

When I saw the Code Vein 2 announcement pop up, I did a double-take-mainly because it’s rare for Bandai Namco to revisit a soulslike outside of the FromSoft juggernaut. The original Code Vein carved out its own niche in 2019 with unapologetic anime flair, wild blood-powered combat, and a willingness to trade cryptic world-building for melodrama and monster design straight from a fever dream. Now, nearly seven years later, we’re finally getting a proper sequel. But is this just fan service, or can Bandai Namco actually level up their vampire apocalypse formula?

Code Vein 2 Announced: Bandai Namco Bets Big on Anime Soulslike

• Bigger, Bolder Anime Horror: The debut trailer shows Bandai Namco doubling down on the over-the-top gothic art style that made the first game stand out.
• New Powers & Mobility: Combat looks even flashier, with a javelin made of bats and motorcycle exploration-Bandai isn’t afraid to get weird.
• Story Continues (and Maybe Time Travel?): The trailer hints at more narrative ambition, teasing time loops or timeline shenanigans on top of the original’s undead drama.
• Release Timing & Platforms Still a Mystery: No firm date, no platforms yet-giving fans equal parts hype and skepticism until we see more gameplay.

Let’s be real: the original Code Vein was divisive. Some players bounced off the melodramatic story and anime tropes, but for those who stuck around, it delivered a surprisingly deep combat system and stylish worldbuilding that felt like a playable gothic horror anime. Bandai Namco, fresh off publishing juggernauts like Elden Ring and Armored Core VI, is clearly betting there’s an even bigger audience for this genre-bending formula in 2024 and beyond.

The new trailer wastes no time showing off what’s changed. Where the original was content with brooding ruins and blood-soaked alleyways, Code Vein 2 looks brighter, wilder, and weirder. That javelin-of-bats move? That’s the kind of ridiculous spectacle that’s either going to be a highlight or a meme. And the biggest curveball: your anti-hero protagonist now cruises the wasteland on a motorcycle, which honestly feels like the kind of “hell yeah” escalation fans of anime and open-ended soulslikes have been waiting for. If it controls well and opens up the map, I’m in.

Beneath the style, though, is Bandai Namco really ready to address what held Code Vein back? The original was often dinged for repetitive environments, AI companion weirdness, and a story that sometimes felt like a side dish to the action. The sequel’s trailer hints at a bigger scope and teases new narrative ambitions (time loops? alternate timelines?), but we’ve heard those promises before. My hope: they nail the pacing, upgrade the level design, and let their best combat ideas shine without getting bogged down in half-baked RPG systems.

The lack of concrete details—no platforms, no release window, just a trailer—does throw up a red flag. It’s easy to get burned by cinematic reveals, especially with Bandai Namco’s track record of early announcements. But after seeing how much the original Code Vein built its community and stuck around thanks to its unique identity, I can’t help but be cautiously optimistic Bandai Namco has learned something from its first swing.

What Code Vein 2 Means for Soulslike and Anime Fans

If you’re tired of FromSoftware’s endless cryptic storytelling but still love challenging action RPGs with style, this sequel could hit a sweet spot. For old-school Code Vein fans, it’s a long-awaited return to a world that wore its anime heart on its sleeve. For newcomers, the promise of fast-paced combat, wild transformation powers, and a post-apocalyptic anime hellscape you can tear through on a bike is honestly compelling—if Bandai Namco can deliver on the gameplay depth and polish the original sometimes lacked.

Ultimately, Code Vein 2’s announcement is a shot of adrenaline for a soulslike subgenre that’s ripe for more experimentation, especially as the anime gaming boom shows no sign of slowing. Here’s hoping Bandai Namco swings big, refines what worked, and doesn’t just coast on the cult status of the first game. After all, the vampire apocalypse deserves a sequel that’s as bold and bloody as its fans hope for.

TL;DR

Code Vein 2 is officially coming, and it looks like Bandai Namco is leaning even harder into wild anime horror, with new powers and possible time-travel twists. No release date yet, but if they refine the gameplay and narrative, this could be a major win for soulslike and anime RPG fans alike. Just don’t get too hyped until we see real gameplay—Bandai’s got something to prove with this sequel.

Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment via GamesPress