Code Vein II Ditches Anime Look, Doubles Down on Vampiric Soulslike Ambition

As someone who spent more hours than I’d like to admit dodging and parrying through the original Code Vein, Bandai Namco’s announcement of Code Vein II at Summer Game Fest instantly caught my eye. Not just because the Soulslike genre is packed right now, but because they’re shaking up a formula that actually set them apart in the first place. Code Vein’s anime-inspired look was divisive, sure, but it gave the game an identity in a sea of dour, grey imitators. Now, with the sequel, Bandai Namco is ripping up that art style and going in a new visual direction. Risky? Definitely. But maybe it’s exactly what this series needs to thrive in 2025’s crowded action-RPG landscape.

Code Vein II: Bandai Namco Swaps Anime for Grit, Dials Up the Vampiric Soulslike

Key Takeaways:

• Major art style shift: The signature anime aesthetic is out-expect a darker, more mature look.
• Time travel narrative: Players hop between past and present, with new companion-driven storytelling.
• Vampiric combat returns: Customizable “blood powers” and demanding Soulslike gameplay stay at the core.
• More focus on co-op and builds: Expanded team mechanics and build variety could deepen replayability.

Bandai Namco isn’t just releasing another sequel-they’re overhauling what made Code Vein recognisable in the first place. Let’s break down what’s really changing, and why it matters for fans hungry for more vampires, more challenge, and maybe, hopefully, a bit more innovation.

A New Look: Risk or Reward?

The anime-inspired visuals of Code Vein made it stand out from the endless parade of Dark Souls clones. But for the sequel, Bandai Namco is taking a big swing-ditching cel-shaded visuals for a darker, grittier, arguably more “mature” art style. Some fans are already grousing on social media that this erases what made Code Vein unique. Personally, I’m torn: the first game’s style was bold, but the tone sometimes clashed with its supposedly bleak, oppressive world. If this new look helps sell the horror and tragedy of its post-apocalyptic vampire setting, I’m willing to give it a shot—but Bandai Namco needs to prove it with atmospheric, memorable environments, not just more blood splatter.

Time Travel and Narrative Stakes

What really piqued my interest was the introduction of time travel. Instead of just trudging through a ruined city, you’re now leaping between past and present, trying to undo an apocalypse triggered by vampiric abominations. The companion, Lou, who manipulates time, hints at narrative choices and nonlinear progression. Soulslikes aren’t known for their storytelling finesse, but if Bandai Namco pulls this off, it could be a fresh twist in a genre that usually treats plot as a distant afterthought.

Hardcore Combat, Deeper Builds

Code Vein’s combat always wore its influences on its sleeve: heavy on stamina management, punishingly tough, and full of that “just one more try” tension. The sequel promises more of the same, but with revamped blood abilities (basically vampire magic), new weapon customization, and a co-op system where companions bring distinct skills and stories. If Bandai Namco can deliver meaningful build variety—beyond just min-maxing damage numbers—there’s real potential here for replayability that goes beyond the grind.

Does It Stack Up in a Crowded Genre?

Here’s the blunt truth: Soulslikes are everywhere now. Between FromSoftware’s dominance and a flood of indie contenders, standing out is harder than ever. The first Code Vein earned a cult following by being “anime Souls,” but in 2025, that’s not going to cut it. This new look and time-bending story are bold moves, but they have to be backed by tight, satisfying combat and a world worth exploring. If not, Code Vein II risks drifting into the samey waters where so many Soulslike pretenders sink.

Why Gamers Should Care

If you loved the original, the core formula—vampiric powers, punishing bosses, deep builds—seems to be intact, just dressed up with extra narrative ambition. If you bounced off Code Vein because the anime style or JRPG tropes weren’t your thing, this sequel might surprise you. For everyone else? Keep your expectations in check, but don’t write it off yet. Bandai Namco has learned plenty from past stumbles (see: Scarlet Nexus’ surprising polish), and Code Vein II looks like it’s aiming to be more than just a “me too” Soulslike.

TL;DR: Code Vein II isn’t just more of the same. By ditching its anime roots for a darker art style and adding a time-travel twist, Bandai Namco is betting big on standing out in a saturated genre. If they nail the combat and marry it to a compelling world, this could be the sequel that puts Code Vein on the Soulslike A-list—or it could prove that style alone isn’t enough to survive the competition. Either way, for fans of challenging action RPGs, this is one to keep on your radar.