Bandai Namco's Code Vein II arrives on Xbox Series X|S January 30. The sequel to the 2019 action RPG doubles down on anime-inspired visuals, partner-driven combat, and a fresh story that stands alone from the first game. Returning players will spot familiar systems, but Code Vein II works as a complete entry point without requiring knowledge of the original.
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Exploring a post-apocalyptic world
Humans and vampiric Revenants share a world teetering on collapse. A century ago, Revenants failed to stop a catastrophic force called The Resurgence, spawning a new threat: Luna Rapacis. This entity corrupts Revenants into mindless Horrors, and you play a Revenant Hunter trying to prevent total societal breakdown. The story uses time travel as a structural hook—you visit the past to help key characters, then face their corrupted present-day versions. This design ties narrative progression directly to partner relationships and character arcs.
Partner characters and their role in gameplay
NPC companions sit at the core of both story and combat. Partners grant passive bonuses that scale with relationship progress, fight alongside you, or temporarily merge to amplify your stats. The Restorative Offering feature lets partners revive you mid-fight, giving you breathing room in tough encounters. Series director Hiroshi Yoshimura designed these mechanics to offer tactical flexibility without compromising challenge or pacing.
Combat mechanics and player customization
The combat keeps its Soulslike stamina management, dodging, and light-heavy attack structure while layering in customization options. Blood Codes return as swappable classes that let you adjust stats and abilities on the fly. Formae—the evolved special ability system—slot into compatible weapons and consume Ichor, which you refill by attacking. This pushes aggressive play and rewards experimentation with builds and partner combos. Weapon types vary in moveset depth, and partner abilities open up different tactical routes through exploration and boss fights.
Hands-on preview and gameplay impressions
A preview event in Los Angeles showcased a Sunken City section with Josée Anjou, a pink-haired Revenant wielding a greatsword. The demo highlighted the dual timeline structure—flashbacks to Josée's past before fighting her corrupted present form. This approach connects narrative weight to strategic combat, showing how the partner system and story progression feed into each other.
Pre-order details and editions
Code Vein II offers three pre-order editions. The Standard Edition includes the base game plus the Stylized Forma Set and Twin Fangs of the Lone Wolf weapon. The Deluxe Edition adds early access, a custom outfit pack, and expansion DLC. The Ultimate Edition packs in all Deluxe content, additional character costumes from the original game, a digital mini artbook, and the soundtrack. A character creator demo drops January 23, letting you build your character before launch.
Code Vein II blends post-apocalyptic setting, time-travel storytelling, and layered combat with a focus on partner dynamics. Its flexible customization, challenging encounters, and narrative-driven design make it a standout release for action RPG fans and anime-inspired gaming on Xbox Series X|S.
Source: Xbox
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When does Code Vein II release?
Code Vein II launches January 30, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S. A character creator demo arrives January 23.
Do I need to play the first Code Vein to enjoy the sequel?
No. Code Vein II tells a new story in a standalone setting, so you can jump in without playing the original.
What platforms will Code Vein II be available on?
The game launches on Xbox Series X|S, with pre-orders available through official retailers.
How do Blood Codes and Formae work?
Blood Codes are swappable classes that modify stats and abilities on the fly. Formae are special skills that slot into weapons and consume Ichor, which you refill by attacking enemies.
What is the role of partner characters in the game?
Partners grant passive bonuses, fight alongside you, and can merge to boost your stats. They also revive you during combat, offering tactical support in difficult fights.
What editions of Code Vein II are available for pre-order?
The Standard Edition includes the base game and pre-order bonuses. The Deluxe Edition adds early access, a custom outfit pack, and expansion DLC. The Ultimate Edition includes all Deluxe content plus additional costumes, a mini artbook, and the soundtrack.
