Bandai Namco’s booth at Tokyo Game Show 2025 was dominated by one of its most anticipated sequels. Code Vein II builds on the cult success of the original “anime Soulslike,” and the playable demo made it clear that this follow‑up is aiming higher in scope, darker in tone, and sharper in execution. With a release date set for January 2026, the TGS taster offered a substantial look at how the series is evolving.
The demo opened in a ruined cathedral district, its gothic spires half‑collapsed and its streets overrun by twisted revenants. The player character, a customisable revenant once again, was joined by an AI partner, which is a returning feature from the first game, but one that felt more responsive this time. Companions now actively flank enemies, heal in emergencies, and even call out tactical suggestions. It gave the early fights a sense of co-operation that felt more natural than before. Combat remains the heart of the experience, and the TGS build showed off refinements that will please fans of both Soulslikes and the original Code Vein.
Weapon classes have been expanded, with new scythe and whip archetypes joining the familiar greatswords and halberds. Each weapon felt distinct, with unique move sets and combo finishers. The Blood Veil system – the vampiric powers that define the series – has also been reworked. In the demo, players could trigger a devastating “Blood Surge” that drained enemies mid‑combo, chaining seamlessly into follow‑up attacks. It added a fluidity that the first game sometimes lacked.
The new boss encounter, a towering monstrosity known as Luna Rapacis, was the centrepiece of the demo. This creature, introduced in Bandai Namco’s TGS presentation, embodies the sequel’s darker aesthetic. With wings like shattered glass and a scream that warped the soundscape, Luna forced players to juggle aggression and caution. Her attacks were wide‑ranging and unpredictable, demanding careful dodges and precise timing. The fight was punishing but fair, and it showcased how Code Vein II is leaning into more elaborate boss design without abandoning accessibility. Exploration also felt more ambitious. Verticality played a larger role, with ladders, crumbling rooftops, and hidden alcoves encouraging players to look up, as well as forward. The cathedral district was dense with secrets: shortcuts that looped back to earlier checkpoints, lore fragments tucked into corners, and environmental storytelling that hinted at the decay of this new world. Compared to the first game’s sometimes linear layouts, the sequel’s level design already feels more confident.
The gothic architecture throughout was richly detailed, with dynamic lighting casting long, oppressive shadows, complete with silky smooth frame-rate, even during hectic fights. The art direction leaned harder into horror than the first game’s anime‑bright palette, with muted colours and grotesque enemy designs that gave the world a heavier, more oppressive atmosphere.
The demo also hinted at narrative ambitions. While the first Code Vein was sometimes criticised for uneven storytelling, the sequel appears to be weaving its lore more directly into gameplay. NPCs encountered in the cathedral weren’t just quest‑givers; they fought alongside the player, revealed fragments of the world’s history, and reacted dynamically to choices. The presence of Luna Rapacis as a central antagonist suggests a more personal, character‑driven conflict, rather than a purely abstract apocalypse.
What stood out most was the sense of identity. Where the original Code Vein was often described as “anime Dark Souls,” the sequel feels less like an imitation and more like a confident continuation of its own ideas. The blend of vampiric mechanics, AI companions, and stylised combat has matured into something distinct. This TGS demo definitely impressed, not just show refinement of a theme that kind of worked, but instead revealing true intent to stand head and shoulders above the crowd.
