If the original Code vein was “anime Dark souls,” then Code vein 2 is an “anime Elden Ring“The original Code vein launched in 2019 to mixed reception. Code vein 2developed and published by Bandai Namco, it's a bigger, better and bolder take on its predecessor, and while falling well short of the open-world epic FromSoftware is clearly trying to emulate, it still delivers a rock-solid Soul-like experience that's hard to put down.
A post-apocalyptic world Code vein 2 has been ravaged by the deadly Resurgence, and players are tasked with taking their vampire custom character back in time to save her. The plot itself is nothing to write home about, but there are character moments in the game that really shine and leave a lasting impression.
Soulslike games often live and die by their boss fights, and while I found the boss designs in Code vein 2 to be overwhelming enough compared to other games in the genre, they are elevated by the emotional weight attached to them. One of the main goals in Code vein 2 travels back in time to meet and adventure with legendary heroes to obtain the key necessary to open their cocoon in the present, where they have transformed into horrible creatures. Thanks to the time travel gimmicks, the bosses slowly recognize the player character and remember their time with them as the fight progresses, to the point where they literally beg for their former partner to put them down.
Code Vein 2 makes great use of time travel
Each hero has a distinct personality and an interesting story that combined with the time you spend with them exploring makes you grow attached to these companions and it's truly heartbreaking to see what they become in the future. I wish the overarching story was more engaging, but Bandai Namco does a good job of giving boss battles more meaning than is typical for the genre due to how appealing the characters are.
Code vein 2The time travel gimmick is used to great effect other than meeting and fighting the heroes. At the beginning of the game, players travel back in time and meet a companion named Noah, who they know is doomed to die. Players can choose to intervene in Noah's fate and save his life. This will provide you with a new companion for the present, and will also lead to major changes to the map, such as a massive bridge suddenly appearing to connect the starting island to the mainland where most of the game takes place.
Having a past and present version of the world map is interesting, but the map itself leaves a lot to be desired. Code vein 2The open world is dull and annoying to navigate, with plenty of cliffs and dead ends that can make early game exploration unnecessarily confusing. Still, I find the grind in open world Soulslike a little less tedious than in the more linear entries in the genre, and that goes for Code vein 2. Whenever I got stuck on a particularly challenging boss, there was always something else worth doing, like completing side quests, opening the world map, or just exploring. Many enemies were killed along the way, allowing me to level up and be better equipped to fight whatever boss I was stuck on and continue my adventure without resorting to the monotonous grind.
Code Vein 2 is like an Anime Take on the Elden Ring
While this has its merits, the open world is mostly a drag that serves no purpose other than taking players longer to immerse themselves in the game's well-designed dungeons and challenging boss fights. It could have been directly inspired Elden Ring's open world, but Code vein 2The open world doesn't even come close to matching it in scope or quality.
Code vein 2 gives players a motorbike to make traveling around the map a bit faster. Companion characters ride on their backs, allowing players to fulfill their fantasy of exploring the bland landscape with their waifus and husbands.
Where Code vein 2 gets a little closer Elden Ring lies in the sheer number of ways players can build their character. Stat boosts at higher levels are predetermined, but players can choose from a wide variety of weapon types, companions that offer different upgrades and passives, special weapons called Formae that include things like a powerful crossbow, Prisons that offer special abilities like beating the all-important mana out of enemies, and Blood Codes that can be upgraded and have their own quirks. I primarily played with the longsword build, which featured an amazing special attack where my character would disappear briefly, effectively dodging incoming hits, and then reappear to deliver a flurry of devastating blows. Whether you're fighting standard enemies or bosses, Code vein 2 The combat is exciting and gives players plenty of options to customize it to their liking.
Exaggerated anime style attacks Code vein 2 the combat is extra flashy and exciting, but the same effect drags down the overall art style. Code vein 2 All the characters look like generic anime characters and that keeps them from being more memorable, no matter how well their stories are written. This problem is also evident in the designs of enemies and bosses, as well as the world, which consists of many canyons, fields, caves, and similar-looking industrial areas. There are occasional glimpses of beauty here and there, and a few character designs manage to stand out, but I think a more distinct art style would go a long way.
Despite my disappointment in this, I recognize that others can fully embrace it Code vein 2art style and really, my biggest issue with the game is its lackluster open world. Everything else is pretty good, with Code vein 2 offers a fun and immersive soulslike experience that should appeal to fans of the genre. While she may not reach the same heights as some of the heavy-hitters who inspired her, Code vein 2 is still a great time from start to finish and an easy recommendation.
Code vein 2 releases January 29 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. Game Rant was provided with a PS5 code for this review.
