New PS5 trailer highlights Code Vein II's darker vision

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - Jan 28, 2026, 8:05 PM - 53 comments

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.

sevgel

Feb 9, 2026, 5:42 PM

Code Vein II gives the impression of a sequel that’s no longer playing it safe. The PS5 launch trailer highlights a shift toward faster, more assertive combat, with systems that encourage experimentation rather than rigid playstyles. Companions feel more involved than before, actively influencing battles instead of simply tagging along, while the time-focused narrative adds a layer of unpredictability to exploration and progression. Although technical rough spots and uneven environments may occasionally break the flow, the overall picture is of a game aiming higher than its predecessor. Code Vein II feels less like an iteration and more like a confident attempt to stand alongside the genre’s modern heavyweights.

gif123

Feb 9, 2026, 5:41 PM

Code Vein II, yayınlanan PS5 çıkış fragmanıyla birlikte serinin ne kadar iddialı bir yöne evrildiğini net biçimde ortaya koyuyor. Daha hızlı ve agresif çatışmalar, derinleştirilen build sistemi ve aktif rol üstlenen Partner mekaniği, oyunu sadece zorlayıcı değil aynı zamanda daha esnek bir deneyime dönüştürüyor. Zamanla oynayan hikâye yapısı ve daha açık alan tasarımı, anlatımı ve keşfi genişletirken; teknik taraftaki bazı pürüzler bu iddiayı yer yer sekteye uğratabiliyor. Yine de Code Vein II, güvenli bir devam oyunu olmaktan ziyade risk alan, sınırlarını zorlayan ve seriyi modern aksiyon-RPG sahnesinde daha güçlü bir noktaya taşımayı amaçlayan cesur bir adım gibi duruyor.

Athemith

Feb 9, 2026, 5:28 AM

Le jeu semble lent, lourd, l'ia à l'air de fonctionner sous assistance respiratoire, la moindre action est surchargée d'effets, gâchant les combats, qui eux même manquent de saveur. Le polish n'est clairement pas terminé. Bref, le jeu laisse un arrière goût de frustration et d'ennui pour ma part :/ malgré le fait qu'il ai progresser par rapport au premier comme le dit l'article, je ne suis pas convaincu du tout.

SlDiorite5

Feb 8, 2026, 6:00 AM

Good game. I agree with the open world critics, the map turned out kinda bland and repetitive, but at least there still a bunch of upgrades to find if you're willing to explore. The rest is alright though, the graphics and music is good, the gameplay follows the formula and it's solid as well. I think it's safe to recommend it to fans of the the first game.

gennyshark

Feb 7, 2026, 4:40 PM

Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for Code Vein 2. The video, which is approximately nine minutes long, offers an in-depth overview of the story, gameplay and main features of the new action RPG from the Japanese company. The game is set in a future where the last humans and the Revenants, beings brought back to life by a parasite and bound by the power of blood, struggle to survive in a world on the brink of collapse. The crisis was triggered by the sudden appearance of the Rapacis Moon, a phenomenon that drove many Revenants mad, transforming them into monstrous creatures. The player takes on the role of a Revenant Hunter, tasked with stopping the spread of these horrors, guided by Lou, a mysterious girl capable of traveling into the past and rewriting the fate of the world, who chooses to save the protagonist by giving him her heart.

Baris4hin

Feb 7, 2026, 10:44 AM

This new PS5 trailer really highlights Code Vein II’s darker tone and I’m loving it! 🔥 The visual style and atmosphere look intense, and the vibe feels like a perfect evolution from the first game. Definitely hyped to see how the story and combat deliver!

698671950cdc3_rat_cher

Feb 7, 2026, 7:09 AM

The Code Vein 2 launch trailer is incredibly hype, with stylish combat sequences and a strong focus on the new time‑bending abilities. The mix of dramatic cutscenes and intense boss fights makes the game look like a bigger, more confident sequel that’s ready to stand out.

Vinn

Feb 7, 2026, 2:06 AM

This follower of the first game is really good. The whole game is in all ways better then the first one. Graphics, music and sounds are all very good. The story is awsome and also the gameplay is much better then the first game. All in all 5 out of 5 stars. and the fans will love it. ;)

Angry by default

Feb 6, 2026, 7:27 PM

i was so happy when they announced code vein 2, and the trailers looked amazing... then i watched streamers playing it and now i dont even wanna watch it... i just hope there is modding for it and everything gets fixed

moskauu

Feb 12, 2026, 10:38 PM on dlcompare.es

You can see ambition in every scene of the trailer. The narrative approach with time travel seems fresh and interesting to me. I like the mix of aggressive action RPG with dark aesthetics. Combat is faster and more strategic than ever. Seeing the game expand beyond the original is cool. The visual direction is really striking, it grabbed me.

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