Bloodborne Meets Legacy of Kain in Surprise Sequel

It’s been a busy ol’ year for new game announcements, so it may have passed you by that CODE VEIN II is on the way.

A sequel to 2019 action RPG CODE VEIN, you should think of CODE VEIN II as what you might end up with if you blend the formulas and worlds of both Bloodborne and Legacy of Kain.

Of course, if you’re a fan of that original title, then you’ll probably understand what I’m getting at.

The original instalment sees the player assume the role of a Revenant, a vampire-esque being who must feed on blood within a post-apocalyptic world or risk becoming a feral creature known as a Lost.

Your goal is to uncover the secret’s of the game world’s collapse, trying to find a way to escape your immortal life.

As for what you can expect in Bandai Namco’s upcoming sequel, well, I’ll let the synopsis speak for itself.

“Due to the sudden appearance of the Luna Rapacis, Revenants have transformed into mindless monsters called Horrors. As a Revenant hunter, the player shall halt the world's inevitable collapse by traveling to the past with a girl called Lou who possesses the power to manipulate time,” it begins.

“An epic adventure awaits, where you and your chosen partners explore a vast world, face fierce battles against powerful enemies, and uncover an epic story that transcends time.”

It’s here that I’ll inform you that you don’t need to play CODE VEIN to enjoy CODE VEIN II.

As you might’ve guessed from the fact that you’re a Revenant in the first title and a Revenant Hunter here, the two stories exist as standalone tales despite being set within the same world.

Of course, those who played the original title will benefit from having some familiarity, but CODE VEIN II is a perfect jumping on point despite the ‘two’ in its name.

It’s a good job as CODE VEIN didn’t review all that well, landing a middle-ground score of 70 on Metacritic.

Perhaps I’m being harsh. A 70 game is still well worth playing; just don’t expect a life-changing experience.

Hopefully, CODE VEIN II will excel where its predecessor couldn’t.

This new instalment promises “adrenaline-fuelled battles” where you’ll be able to drain and acquire your opponent’s blood, unlocking a variety of new skills.

There’s also a new build system so you can customise your weapons and find a combat style that suits your preferences.

The story will take you into the past where you’ll seek out clues about the present, and there are a number of fun and powerful allies to accompany you on this journey.

CODE VEIN II is due to launch on 29 January 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, so there’s not too long to wait until you can dive in.