8Bit/Digi

A World Torn By Time and Corruption

One of my favorite games of 2019 was Code Vein, thanks to its distinct take on the Soulslike genre. It first caught my attention when I stumbled into its panel during the inaugural Crunchyroll Expo in 2017. I do enjoy a good Soulslike game when it offers something unique, and its story paired with an anime inspired art direction hooked me from the very first trailer. Ever since then, I’ve been waiting for a sequel while also trying out anything that came close to its experience.

That wait has finally paid off thanks to Code Vein II, which continues the experience while bringing new changes to the world.

Code Vein II takes players to a new world ravaged by terror that could only be saved by a Revenant Hunter who can venture between time. It’s a completely different experience from what fans played back in 2019, but it also introduces new elements while preserving its defining traits. At the same time, it’s a follow-up that anyone can get into without having played the previous game.

The Price of Power

In a post-apocalyptic world, humans and Revenants live side by side amid lingering unease. Over time, they have been forced to band together to fight the Resurgence, a phenomenon that transforms any living person into a monster known as the Horror. Though it was once sealed away by the Luna Rapacis, cracks are beginning to show and the Resurgence is starting to spread across the land again. The reason is that the five heroes powering the Luna Rapacis are beginning to succumb, and they must be killed so the seal can be renewed. To achieve this, a Revenant Hunter has been tasked by the MagMell Research Institute with collecting the Pathos of the heroes prior to their sacrifice, allowing the seals protecting their bodies in the present to be undone. However, the mission itself is risky, as actions in the past could affect the future for better or worse.

Code Vein II is one of those sequels whose story is not directly connected to the previous game, but many of its lore elements and worldbuilding are carried over. Given that time travel plays a critical role in the story, one can say that multiverses exist in this lore, allowing for more freedom in the storytelling. As for the story itself, it does a solid job of maintaining connections to the first game while standing as its own self-contained narrative. That means you don’t need to have played Code Vein to understand what is happening. Unlike most Soulslike games, the story isn’t drip-fed but properly told throughout the game in dialogue and cutscenes. A welcoming aspect for gamers who don’t like the former’s approach.

In Your Hands

Right away, you should absolutely be aware of what a Soulslike game is before picking up Code Vein II. This is a genre that is known for its intense difficulty that will put a player’s skills to the test. There is no easy mode and the only way to progress is to grow your character while mastering the combat. If you’re not a fan of the genre to begin with, then you will not enjoy the experience. That said, this is one of the more forgiving Soulslike games, as it’s not as brutal as other titles in the genre.

The game starts with one of the most detail-rich character customization systems. This system allows players to build their unique protagonist however they want. This includes facial features, body types, skin color, eyes, and body markings. At the same time, you also design your outfit based on your fashion style. The level of customization exceeds that seen in most games, while also surpassing its predecessor. I honestly spent an hour trying to build my perfect character, and throughout the game, I’ve gone back to make minor edits.

Code Vein II will require players to quickly develop a strategy and playstyle if they hope to progress. Fans of the genre will know exactly what to expect and should feel at home from the start. The gameplay and combat mechanics are straightforward for those familiar with the first game, featuring a traditional hack-and-slash setup with RPG elements. While the Horrors are easy to defeat individually, they become far more dangerous in groups, especially when you are at a lower skill level. Mid-level enemies will put your skills to the test, while bosses will push you to your limits. The best part is that there are a lot of solid boss fights in the game.

Players start with a low-tier blade but can acquire a better one after completing the tutorial stage. Each weapon offers unique abilities and drawbacks, catering to different combat styles. As they progress, players can acquire new weapons through purchase or exploration, gaining an edge in battle. Weapons can also be upgraded to deal more damage and respond more quickly to attacks. Mistles once again play a pivotal role, serving as locations where players can save, resurrect, fast travel, and upgrade their character or weapons. To upgrade, players must collect ichor by defeating enemies, but they will lose a portion upon death.

Another Weapon

Whereas its predecessor aimed to be “anime Dark Souls,” the follow-up aims to be “anime Elden Ring.” To this end, it does succeed by incorporating some of its defining elements into the experience while preserving its Soulslike roots. From its player builds to its vast world, it presents a variety of challenges that test your skills. Staying true to its theme, it incorporates a world that blends a modern post-apocalypse with fantasy elements. This allows plenty of opportunity to explore each corner of the world for loot, gear, and its hidden secrets.

A unique element of the experience is time travel, where your actions in the past affect the future. At the same time, it allows players to explore two different versions of the same setting. The main events are set in the present, but unlocking those paths requires venturing into the past. Actions in one era impact the other, and at times, the effect works both ways. This includes unlocking sections of the world in one era of the story and opening Mistles on the map in another. At the same time, progress and gear carry over between the two time periods, allowing players to maintain their build.

Total Darkness

The first major issue that I encountered was from the get go, its use of the Unreal Engine 5. Once again, the game looks like it was built with default settings left largely intact, resulting in environments that appear noisy, with excessive bloom, overused film grain, and heavy motion blur. The end result is a presentation that can feel visually off-putting at times, with certain areas becoming distracting due to noticeable TAA smearing during movement.

Adding to this are the design choices shaping much of the game’s world, as it noticeably scales back the aesthetics that defined the original. Gone is a world that balances a dark tone with vibrant detail, anchored by a distinctive gothic inspired identity. In its place stands an environment that feels generic, with a muted color palette and generic design choices. Some of those elements are somewhat present, but it’s minimal and buried under the generic landscape. If this were any other game, the shift might be easier to accept, but that is not what made Code Vein stand apart in the first place. Adding to the downgrade is the need for a day/night cycle that only undermines the look of the world instead of adding to it. Also, not helping is that the anime inspired aesthetic has been noticeably reduced across the broader world design. While these design traits remain visible in the character models and the halls of the MagMell Research Institute, it’s absent within the world.

Finally, we come to the game’s convoluted UI, which is confusing at first. It’s a mishmash of different styles that can be difficult to navigate. It takes some time to figure out, and that can be frustrating. Especially when you’re trying to find basic menu options during your playthrough.

A Place of Memories

Code Vein II takes players to a new world ravaged by corruption that can only be saved through a journey that takes players across two time periods. It’s a self contained story with elements that connect it to the first game, allowing new and returning fans to enjoy the experience. Like its predecessor, it’s one of the most detail rich and creative character customization systems. It’s easy to learn the gameplay for those who play Soulslike games, while the time travel elements add a layer of creativity.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Code Vein II (PC)

8

Excellent

8.0/10

Pros

• A self contained story with connections to the first game allows new and returning fans to enjoy the lore.
• One of the most detail rich and creative character customization systems.
• Easy to learn gameplay for those who play Soulslike games.
• Time travel element is creative, allowing for two worlds to share the same space.

Cons

• Another instance of Unreal Engine 5’s mishandled implementation.
• Its defining gothic design and anime artistic style are absent from the world.
• Convoluted UI that is a mishmash of different styles.