Today we’re talking about one of the newer Souls-like franchises that perfectly combines the genre with an anime art style. A franchise about loss and the decay of a post-apocalyptic world, with empty cities and lost souls. We’re talking about Code Vein. This Souls-like focuses less on dark realism and more on a stylized anime aesthetic.

Summary

• The Origin of Code Vein – A Soulslike with its own Identity
• Gameplay DNA – Blood Codes, Companions, and Risky Melee Combat
• World & Story – Post-apocalypse, Memories, and Humanity
• Code Vein 2 – What the Upcoming Sequel Wants to Do Differently
• Significance for the Genre – Why Code Vein Stands Out Today
• Conclusion – Code Vein: A Melancholic Alternative in the Souls-like Genre

Code Vein has always carried its own signature, as it is more about action, story, and character building than the classic Dark Souls games. Now, the franchise from 2019 is bringing us a second game. That’s why we’re looking back at the beginning of the franchise and seeing what it wants to show us now with Code Vein 2.

The Origin of Code Vein – A Soulslike with its own Identity

Code Vein was released in September 2019 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. At that time, the Souls-like genre was already well-established, and new games were coming out constantly. However, many games stayed very close to Dark Souls, making the genre feel repetitive and offering few entry points for new players. The games were all dark, with harsh worlds, but often lacked an obvious story.

Code Vein wanted to be the exact opposite; they opted for a stylized anime look with a rather somber color palette and free character design. You build bonds with various characters, making the presentation feel much more emotional than they already are. The focus of the game is on atmosphere rather than pure threat.

The game was also made much easier for players, removing the high barrier to entry for newcomers. There are more checkpoints, companions, and flexible builds. Companions can accompany you the entire time, not just be summoned for a few bosses like in Dark Souls, making everything easier. However, this is optional, and you can simply refuse companions. You also don’t have to commit to specific skills, meaning you can’t make a wrong decision; your build is determined by Blood Codes, which can be swapped at any time. The standard high level of difficulty remains, but it feels fairer than in classic Souls games.

In the game, you are not just an anonymous warrior but are clearly integrated into the world and its history. The personal fates of the characters serve as the engine for progress. Reviews of the game are very positive, with 83% positive ratings on Steam. The game’s epic music is particularly praised, which is worth listening to even without having played the game. There is criticism regarding level structure and enemy placement, yet a loyal fanbase quickly formed.

Code Vein is the perfect entry point for Soulslike newcomers, at least as long as you like anime. But even for experienced players, the game offers enough depth, which is not mandatory. The franchise immediately distanced itself from classic Souls-likes and went its own way.

Gameplay DNA – Blood Codes, Companions, and Risky Melee Combat

Moving on to gameplay, the focus is on active and offensive combat. Only in a few situations do you have to wait passively; instead, you often have to rely on risk. Since there are quite a few checkpoints, runbacks after death are not that bad, which greatly supports this playstyle. Combat rewards bravery, but timing and positioning are also important; classic mechanics like dodging or parrying are present.

One of the core mechanics in the game is Blood Codes, which replace classic classes. Each class changes your playstyle, stats, and abilities. You can switch between these codes freely at any time, so no permanent decisions are made. You can still level up through a type of souls, but each level improves all stats, so there are no specializations. This allows you to experiment freely without starting a new run for every experiment. Builds are created through the combination of Blood Codes, weapons, and Gifts. There are various weapon classes like one-handed swords, two-handed swords, spears, halberds, lances, two-handed hammers, and bayonet rifles for ranged combat. For some enemies or areas, it is worth adapting. It is also possible to create hybrid builds or completely rethink your strategy.

The story repeatedly revolves around blood, and blood is also used as a resource in the game. Your abilities require Ichor, and to get it back, you must either backstab or parry enemies. In combat, an AI companion can also help you if you wish; they can heal you, damage the enemy, or distract them. Furthermore, emotional bonds are formed through dialogues and the background stories of the various characters. Companions definitely make the game easier, as they provide larger windows of time for healing and so on. Nevertheless, it is not an easy mode; combat remains challenging, but less isolating. The game feels less lonely than classic Souls-likes.

World & Story – Post-apocalypse, Memories, and Humanity

Code Vein is set in destroyed cities and abandoned places. There is little classic exposition. The world feels almost as if it were frozen after a catastrophe, and that catastrophe did occur. The environment conveys a sense of loss and stagnation. Yet, despite the post-apocalyptic setting, there are no exaggerated end-time images. A quiet and melancholic mood prevails. The music and color palette support the emotional depth of the game. Loneliness in the world is always present despite the companion.

In Code Vein, there are no classic monsters or heroes; there is only the bloodlust, which exists as a curse and a necessity. Blood is always relevant in the story as it is the only way to survive in the world. Additionally, you fight a constant battle against forgetting. The main character—that’s you—has unfortunately lost all memories and thus their identity, which is used as a central motif in the game. The story is told in a fragmented way through memories. Memory sequences with an incredibly good soundtrack replace long cutscenes and show the memories of others before or after the apocalypse. The memories are primarily about personal fates rather than the problem itself.

Recurring themes also include the question of what it means to be human in a destroyed world, as well as themes like sacrifice, guilt, exploitation, and responsibility. You build an emotional bond with supporting characters through their sad background stories. The Blood Code mechanic is also narratively justified, just as death and rebirth are part of the world’s logic. This makes your progress feel mechanically earned. You become an observer and part of the world. In some places, the game might be less epic than others, but it leaves a more lasting impression. World and story form the foundation of the franchise, and now we look toward the future.

Code Vein 2 – What the Upcoming Sequel Wants to Do Differently

More than 5 years have passed since the last game, and the studio has developed several other games in that time. Players are now skeptical but also hopeful for the next installment. Code Vein 2 is not meant to be a complete reboot, but a conscious continuation. Code Vein 2 will be released on January 30, 2026, for PC, Xbox Series, and PS5. The central motifs remain in the game, so identity, loss, and humanity continue to be the focus. The basic mood also stays dark and melancholic. The world is again characterized by decay and existential questions.

The focus of the game is shifted toward storytelling where characters are brought more to the center. Everything is meant to be less fragmented, with clear narrative guidance. The goal is to deepen the emotional bond even further without explaining everything. The story links past and present by allowing players to influence the world using a time-travel element. This concept is intended to give the franchise fresh depth. The story revolves around Revenants and humans fighting against threats like the Luna Rapacis and the horrors arising from them.

Code Vein II also brings new gameplay freedoms and overhauls, such as Jails as more offensive mechanics instead of the old blood veils used for parrying, blocking, and abilities. Tactical options with companions have also been expanded. This is intended to make cooperation with the AI more interesting. Before the release, you can already play the Character Creator Demo, where you can create your character for the main game. So if you need hours to perfect everything and want to start immediately upon release, this is the perfect option for you.

In addition to the Standard version, there are Collector’s, Deluxe, and Ultimate Editions with bonus content and cosmetic sets. While fans eagerly await narrative depth and overhauled mechanics, Code Vein II aims to appeal to both old followers and new players.

Significance for the Genre – Why Code Vein Stands Out Today

Code Vein occupies a special role in the Souls-like genre. It is not an attempt to copy successful games but deliberately offers a stylistic deviation. The anime aesthetic serves as a clear distinction from dark fantasy worlds. The games are also accessible to newcomers to the franchise with entry aids that are avoided in classic Souls-likes. The companion system and flexible builds reduce frustration while maintaining enough depth for experienced players. Build variety and active combat dynamics ensure long-term motivation.

Code Vein serves as a bridge between Action-RPGs and Souls-likes, allowing everyone an entry point. It focuses on atmosphere instead of permanent overwhelm. It shows that Souls-likes don’t always have to be dark and merciless but can also be melancholic. Code Vein also proves that a narrative focus and accessibility can coexist and are appropriate for a Souls-like. Code Vein remains a niche game due to its anime look, but a significant one.

Conclusion – Code Vein: A Melancholic Alternative in the Souls-like Genre

Code Vein was never the loudest Souls-like, but it was one of the most personal. Instead of pure hardness, the franchise relied from the start on atmosphere, characters, and emotional nuances. The mix of anime aesthetic, accessible gameplay, and melancholic storytelling created its own identity that consciously set itself apart from the genre mainstream. With the new installment, the series now stands at an important point. Not as a radical new beginning, but as an opportunity to combine the best of the past and present. If it succeeds in developing the strengths of the original while boldly exploring new paths, Code Vein can be more than just a niche. It can show that Souls-likes don’t just have to challenge; they can also make you feel.

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