Code Vein II is less than two months away from launch, and Bandai Namco is steadily introducing the cast of characters you’ll meet in this vampire-slaying sequel. The latest trailer showcases Holly Asturias, a revenant doctor described as “a healer burdened by sin” who wields the supposedly cursed powers of the Luxuria bloodline. Her tagline is perfectly cryptic: “I don’t think I’ll ever find it in my heart to forgive him, but I’m also not letting him die.” That’s the kind of morally complicated character writing that made the first Code Vein interesting.
Meet the Reaper Witch
Holly Asturias runs a clinic nestled deep in the forest where she tirelessly researches the Resurgence, a phenomenon that transforms revenants into twisted horrors. She became a revenant herself back in A.D. 2090 before sacrificing her life during the Upheaval in A.D. 2207. Despite rumors that the Luxuria bloodline is cursed, Holly uses its healing powers to treat patients affected by the Resurgence, earning her the nickname “Reaper Witch” among the revenant community.
The character trailer shows Holly’s unique mutation, with parts of her body exhibiting the same affliction that affects the protagonist. She mentions that the player character’s case is “entirely unprecedented” and more similar to the curse affecting those in her bloodline. This suggests Holly will play a major role in understanding whatever strange condition the player is dealing with throughout the game’s story.
Support Powers and Combat Role
As a healer character, Holly provides invaluable support to the protagonist through her Luxuria bloodline abilities. The trailer shows her in action wielding what appears to be healing magic alongside combat support skills. Code Vein II features a dynamic Partner System where party members factor heavily into gameplay, so Holly will likely be a recruitable companion who can back you up during difficult encounters.
The original Code Vein was built around partner-based combat, letting you bring AI companions into battles who could revive you when you died and provide tactical support. Code Vein II is expanding this system significantly, and having a dedicated healer companion like Holly could be a game-changer for players who struggled with the brutal difficulty of souls-like combat.
Crossing Time to Rewrite Fate
Code Vein II takes place across two different time periods, letting players travel between the present (A.D. 2307) and the past (A.D. 2207). You play as a Revenant Hunter guided by Lou, a mysterious girl who can manipulate time. Your mission is to hunt down revenants corrupted by Luna Rapacis, a force that transforms them into horrific monsters called Horrors. The time-travel mechanic means you’ll encounter legendary heroes from the past who may hold keys to saving the collapsing world.
Holly’s backstory connects directly to this time manipulation theme. She was alive during the Upheaval in 2207, which is the past era you’ll be visiting. That means you might encounter a younger version of Holly during time travel sequences, or deal with the consequences of her sacrifice that led to her current state. The emotional complexity of her character quote about not forgiving someone but refusing to let them die suggests deep personal conflicts tied to the game’s narrative.
What’s New in Code Vein II
The sequel builds on the original’s signature Blood Code system while introducing significant new mechanics. Two new weapon types join the arsenal: Rune Blades and Dual Swords, alongside returning favorites like one-handed swords, bayonets, halberds, and great hammers. The new Jail system enhances blood-draining attacks with expanded abilities, letting you pull off even more grotesque and powerful vampiric moves.
Combat abilities look appropriately over-the-top. The trailers have shown techno-organic wolves sprouting from your shoulders, swords made of disgusting sinew, and various other body-horror special attacks. You can still drain blood from enemies to fuel your abilities, which was one of the most satisfying mechanics from the first game. This time around, the world is also much more open, with exploration playing a bigger role than the semi-linear structure of the original.
Yes, You Get a Motorcycle
One of the wildest additions to Code Vein II is the inclusion of a motorcycle for traversing the open world. This is a significant departure from the first game’s more confined environments. Having faster travel options suggests the world is substantially larger, which aligns with Bandai Namco’s description of “vast environments” to explore with your party. Whether the motorcycle has combat applications or is purely for traversal remains to be seen.
Other Key Characters
Holly isn’t the only major character joining the cast. Josée Anjou, known as the “Queen of Solitude,” once ruled a sanctuary that was swallowed by the sea. She’s described as one of the legendary heroes whose story intertwines with the main plot. Then there’s Lavinia, another revenant with a pivotal role in the story, though her specific abilities and backstory haven’t been fully revealed yet.
The protagonist themselves is a Revenant Hunter, which is a departure from the first game where you played as a revenant. This role reversal puts you in the position of hunting down the very creatures that were your allies in the original. It’s an interesting narrative flip that should create moral complexity, especially when characters like Holly challenge the binary of “revenants bad, hunters good.”
The Anime Souls Legacy
Code Vein earned the nickname “anime Dark Souls” when it launched in 2019, and for good reason. It combined challenging souls-like combat with anime aesthetics, extensive character customization, and a post-apocalyptic vampire setting. The game found a dedicated audience despite some criticism about the overly anime cutscenes and occasionally uneven difficulty spikes.
Code Vein II seems to be addressing some of those concerns. The aesthetic is still anime, but the visual style looks more refined and less aggressively over-the-top than its predecessor. The open-world structure should provide more flexibility in how you approach challenges, potentially smoothing out those difficulty spikes. And the partner system improvements suggest Bandai Namco is doubling down on what made the first game unique rather than just copying the Dark Souls formula.
Release Date and Platforms
Code Vein II launches January 30, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. Some regions list it as January 29, which is likely just timezone differences. Pre-orders are available now with deluxe editions offering early access starting January 26, giving you four extra days to jump into the vampire hunting action.
That January 30 date puts Code Vein II in a relatively quiet release window, arriving just a few weeks after the post-holiday drought. It’ll be competing with whatever else launches in early 2026, but souls-like fans should have plenty of attention to spare. Coming out early in the year also means it could set the tone for action RPGs in 2026, especially if it delivers on the ambitious open-world time-travel premise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Holly Asturias in Code Vein II?
Holly Asturias is a revenant doctor who runs a forest clinic and researches the Resurgence phenomenon. She wields healing powers from the supposedly cursed Luxuria bloodline and serves as a support character helping the protagonist understand their mysterious condition.
When does Code Vein II release?
Code Vein II launches January 30, 2026 (January 29 in some regions) for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. Deluxe editions include early access starting January 26.
Is Code Vein II open world?
Yes, unlike the more linear structure of the first game, Code Vein II features vast open environments to explore. You even get a motorcycle to traverse the larger world more quickly.
Do I need to play Code Vein 1 first?
Not confirmed, but probably not required. Code Vein II appears to be set 100 years in the future with a new protagonist and story, though there may be references or connections to the original game’s events.
What is the Luxuria bloodline?
The Luxuria bloodline is a revenant lineage rumored to be cursed. It grants powerful healing abilities but comes with unique mutations and afflictions. Holly Asturias is a member of this bloodline and uses its powers to treat patients.
Is Code Vein II still a souls-like game?
Yes, it retains challenging souls-like combat with boss fights, blood-draining mechanics, and the Blood Code system. However, it adds open-world exploration, time travel mechanics, and an enhanced partner system.
Can you play co-op in Code Vein II?
Not confirmed yet. The first Code Vein had online co-op, so the sequel will likely include it, but Bandai Namco hasn’t officially detailed multiplayer features.
What platforms is Code Vein II on?
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. It’s next-gen exclusive with no PlayStation 4 or Xbox One versions.
January Can’t Come Fast Enough
Holly Asturias represents exactly the kind of morally complex character that elevates action RPGs beyond just combat mechanics. A healer who carries guilt, wields cursed powers, and refuses to abandon people even when she can’t forgive them? That’s compelling character writing that suggests Code Vein II might have a genuinely interesting story to tell beneath all the vampire hunting and time manipulation.
The first Code Vein was a flawed but enjoyable experience that carved out its own identity in the crowded souls-like genre. This sequel looks more ambitious in every way, with open-world exploration, time travel mechanics, expanded combat systems, and what appears to be a more cohesive narrative tying everything together. Whether it can stick the landing remains to be seen, but the foundation looks solid.
With less than two months until launch, Bandai Namco will probably drop a few more character trailers before January 30 rolls around. If you’re into challenging action RPGs with anime aesthetics, vampire themes, and elaborate character customization, Code Vein II should absolutely be on your radar. Just maybe wait for reviews before pre-ordering, because souls-likes are notorious for launching with balance issues that need patching.