Last updated on January 10, 2026
Bandai Namco finally cracks open Code Vein 2 with an explosive 8-minute gameplay walkthrough trailer, plunging fans back into the anime-infused soulslike that defined 2019’s cult hit. Dropped fresh off recent previews, this footage spotlights Revenant Hunter duels across fractured timelines, partner synergies, and revamped Blood Code swaps amid post-apocalyptic ruins. Launching January 30, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, the sequel amps customization, boss brutality, and narrative depth for hardened players craving that Dark Souls-with-vampires fix.
Trailer Breakdown: Revenant Hunter Awakens
The walkthrough kicks in the Sunken Pylon dungeon, a flooded nightmare ruled by Revenant boss Josée Anjou. Players dash as the Revenant Hunter, revived by time-shifting ally Lou MagMell, who peels back history layers to rewrite Revenant fates. Bike-summoning zips through environments blending present decay with 100-year-past flashbacks – Sunken City sprawls with haunting spires and gore pits. Every swing feels punchier: stamina-locked chains mix light/heavy attacks Monster Hunter-style, fluid third-person aiming for guns, and stun-finishers rip blood for skill unlocks.
Blood Codes Evolve: Mid-Fight Swaps
Core hook returns refined – Blood Codes act as loadout classes with preset stats, letting seamless shifts from tanky enforcer to nimble assassin or ranged debuffer. Trailer demos tank mode absorbing hits, then flipping to agile blades for counters. Drain enemy ichor mid-brawl to fuel gifts (active abilities), now tiered offensive/defensive/inherited Formas. Bequeathed Formas summon wild gear like Absolute Executioner greatsword for one-shot nukes. Jails (special weapons/equipment) layer strategies against elite foes.
Partner System Gets Emotional Depth
Lou MagMell steals scenes – her heart-revival mechanic pulses a secondary health bar via bonds, but cooldowns force solo risks. Switch to partner control for combo assists; Josée’s sword barrages sync with your gunplay. Trailer hints story branches from alliances: pump affinity for buffs, lore drops, alternate endings. Assimilate partners temporarily for solo power spikes, but vulnerability spikes too. Bonds weave tragic Revenant tales, elevating beyond combat grind.
Boss Arena Carnage: Josée Anjou Rampage
Climax slams a transformed Josée – once ally, now Horror beast via Luna Rapacis plague. She unleashes sweeping slashes, AOE bursts, forcing dodges into punish windows. Hunter parries, drains, swaps to halberd for stagger breaks, calls Lou heals. Tension peaks with phase shifts mirroring her fall, demanding Blood Code pivots from melee brute to ranged poke. Post-fight teases narrative ripples: your past tweaks avert her doom? Pure soulslike catharsis.
World Split Across Eras
Code Vein 2’s hook: dual timelines let you patrol present wastelands, rewind via Lou to past hubs altering NPC arcs. MagMell Base serves hub for upgrades, code tweaks, companion chats. Vast zones like Sunken Pylon demand exploration – secrets, ambushes, vehicle jaunts. Choices echo: spare a Revenant, unlock ally path; fail, spawn tougher Horrors. Deep lore unravels humanity’s collapse, Revenant pacts, Luna Rapacis curse threatening all.
Customization Overhaul Delights
Character creator shines: body sliders, hairstyles, makeup, accessories for waifu/husbando perfection. Trailer flexes seven weapons—dual blades agility, halberd sweeps, colossals. Mix with Blood Codes for hybrids: sniper-tanks, spell-swords. Restorative Offerings let partners clutch-revive with cooldown tradeoffs. Pre-order perks tease Deluxe/Ultimate editions with cosmetics, early access.
Soulslike Staples, Anime Flair Amped
Bandai Namco Studios polishes Shift engine for crisp 60fps fights, dynamic lights on gore-splattered arenas. Combat nails “anime Dark Souls” – flashy arts, precise parries, risk-reward blood drains. Previews praise tension: partner bonds add heartbreak to deaths, code swaps beat stat min-maxing. Jan 30 drop pre-orders live; collector’s packs boss figs, artbooks. Code Vein vets, this sequel doubles down on what hooked you.
Trailer cements Code Vein 2 as 2026’s soulslike frontrunner – gritty tales, build freedom, boss mastery await. Who’s maining gunblade meta?
