The wait is finally over for Revenants. After years of speculation and a tantalizing reveal at Summer Game Fest 2025, Code Vein II has officially landed, bringing with it a torrent of blood, anime style, and punishing difficulty. Released globally on January 30, 2026, with early access currently live for deluxe edition owners, Bandai Namco’s sequel is already sparking heated debate across the gaming world. While early Code Vein 2 review scores are somewhat divisive—with outlets like CNET calling it a "sequel in name only"—our time with the game reveals something far more ambitious. Powered by Unreal Engine 5 and featuring a revolutionary time-travel narrative, this is arguably one of the best Soulslike games 2026 has to offer.

A New Era of Vampiric Storytelling

Unlike its predecessor, Bandai Namco Code Vein 2 takes a bold narrative leap. You play as a voiceless Revenant Hunter, tasked not just with surviving a post-apocalyptic dystopia, but with rewriting history. The game introduces a dual-timeline mechanic, sending players 100 years into the past with the help of a mysterious new heroine, Lou. This isn't just a gimmick; choices made in the past timeline ripple forward, altering the landscape and available NPCs in the present.

This narrative complexity elevates the experience beyond a standard dungeon crawler. While some critics argue the connection to the first game is tenuous, the thematic consistency of memory and loss remains the franchise's beating heart. The anime-inspired open world is breathtaking, rendering the decay of civilization with a vibrant, stylized gore that outshines the original's drabber corridors.

Gameplay Evolution: The 'Shared Blood' Mechanic

The core of the Code Vein II gameplay features discussion centers on the refined combat systems. The 'Gift' system returns with deeper customization, allowing for intricate builds that mix martial prowess with vampiric magic. However, the standout addition is the 'Shared Blood' mechanic. This system redefines the partner dynamic, allowing you to sync health pools and buffs with your AI or human companion for devastating combo attacks, at the risk of mutual death if one player takes critical damage.

This high-risk, high-reward system forces players to be more strategic than ever. It perfectly complements the Code Vein 2 difficulty rating, which feels significantly steeper than the first game. Bosses like the "Luna Rapacis" horrors demand mastery of both timing and the new Blood Code synergies. It’s a punishing loop, but one that feels incredibly rewarding when you finally land that synchronized execution.

Visuals and Performance on Unreal Engine 5

Visually, the leap to Unreal Engine 5 is stunning. The character creator—already a fan favorite—is more robust than ever, allowing players to craft their ideal anime protagonist with absurd levels of detail. The environments, from the neon-lit ruins of the future to the gothic castles of the past, are seamless and load instantly on PS5 and Xbox Series X. The "blood-stained" aesthetic is dialed up to eleven, with particle effects and fluid animations that make every skirmish feel like a high-budget anime fight scene.

Is It Worth the Hype?

Despite some action RPG reviews 2026 citing a lack of direct continuity as a negative, Code Vein II stands on its own merits. It refines every rough edge of the original while introducing mechanics that push the genre forward. It is a confident, stylish, and deeply engrossing RPG that demands your attention.

Verdict: The Definitive Anime Soulslike

Code Vein II is a triumph. It successfully builds on the cult classic status of the original to deliver a sequel that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. With its deep combat, innovative time-travel storytelling, and gorgeous visuals, it sets a high bar for the genre this year. If you have any love for action RPGs, this is a must-play.