New PS5 trailer highlights Code Vein II's darker vision

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - about 1 hour ago

Bandai Namco is ramping up promotion for Code Vein II ahead of its imminent release, unveiling a new PS5 launch trailer yesterday that offers the clearest look yet at the sequel's expanded combat systems, narrative scope, and visual direction. The trailer arrives as early reviews paint a picture of a sequel that is darker, more confident, more complex, and far more ambitious than its predecessor.

PS5 launch trailer showcases faster combat and new mechanics

The newly released footage emphasizes the game's evolution into a broader, more open-ended action RPG. Combat remains rooted in the series' soulslike foundations, but the sequel introduces greater fluidity, faster encounters, and a stronger focus on aggressive play. Drain-based abilities, weapon transformations, and Blood Code-style progression systems have been reworked to allow for deeper build customization, giving players more freedom to experiment with hybrid playstyles.

One of the most prominent additions highlighted in the trailer is the expanded Partner System. Companions are no longer passive support characters; they actively shape combat encounters, can be merged with the player for powerful abilities, and even revive fallen allies mid-battle. This mechanic reinforces the game’s emphasis on teamwork while still preserving the challenge expected from the genre.

Code Vein II pushes beyond the confined structure of the original. The story centers on a fractured world threatened by temporal collapse, with players moving between different time periods to alter key events and prevent catastrophe. This time-manipulation theme feeds directly into level design, enemy placement, and storytelling, allowing areas to change dramatically depending on when and how they are visited.

Critics who have already spent time with the game largely agree that Code Vein II feels more modern and self-assured. Many reviews praise the improved combat responsiveness, expanded enemy variety, and ambitious attempt to blend anime-inspired storytelling with systems more reminiscent of Elden Ring. Character creation and progression options are also frequently highlighted as standout features, offering one of the most flexible build systems in the genre.

However, impressions are not universally glowing. Several outlets point to technical shortcomings, particularly on consoles, with inconsistent performance and framerate drops occasionally disrupting exploration and combat. Some reviewers also note that while the game reaches for a more open world structure, not all environments feel equally refined or distinctive, leading to uneven pacing in certain sections.

Despite these issues, the general consensus suggests that Code Vein II represents a meaningful step forward for the franchise. Rather than simply refining what worked before, the sequel takes noticeable risks, rethinking its structure, mechanics, and narrative ambitions in an effort to stand alongside the genre's modern heavyweights.

Code Vein II launches later this month on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game is one of the most closely watched action RPG releases of the early year, particularly for fans eager to see how far the series has evolved. If you are one of those, visit our comparator to purchase your copy of Code Vein II at the best price.