Bandai Namco is turning up the heat on Code Vein 2 marketing with a brand new character trailer showcasing Valentin Voda, a smooth-talking aristocratic Revenant who believes the vampire world’s obsession with bloodlines needs to die. The trailer dropped this week with just a month to go before the anime-style action RPG launches on January 30, 2026, and it’s giving fans a closer look at one of the game’s most intriguing companion characters.
Meet the Aristocrat Who Hates Tradition
Valentin Voda isn’t your typical vampire noble. Despite being heir to the prestigious Voda House, one of the most powerful Revenant bloodlines descended from the Progenitor himself, he’s actively working to dismantle the very social hierarchy that elevated his family. His character trailer shows him extending a calm, almost unsettling invitation to the protagonist: “Our obsession with bloodline and ancestry is an antiquated practice, a trivial custom I hope to change. What do you say, will you join me?”
The serene pioneer, as Bandai Namco describes him, holds multiple prestigious positions in the vampire society. He once led MagMell, the game’s central hub location, as a magical research institute dedicated to uncovering the secrets of ancient Formae, the blood-powered abilities that give Revenants their combat strength. Beyond his research credentials, Valentin also serves as a judicial magistrate, arbitrating disputes between vampires and humans in a world where both species struggle to coexist.
What makes Valentin particularly fascinating is the contradiction baked into his character. He’s simultaneously part of the establishment he criticizes, benefiting from his prestigious bloodline while condemning the very system that grants him power. The trailer hints at a character wrestling with his inherited privilege, though whether his progressive stance is genuine or a political maneuver remains unclear. Japanese voice actor Yuichi Nakamura brings Valentin to life with the kind of calculated charm that suggests there’s more happening beneath that polite aristocratic surface.
How Partners Actually Work This Time
Valentin represents one of several companion characters players can recruit throughout Code Vein 2’s time-traveling campaign. Unlike the original game where partners simply tagged along as AI-controlled sidekicks, the sequel introduces a revolutionary dual-mode Partner System that fundamentally changes how you approach combat. You can summon companions like Valentin to fight independently alongside you, providing backup damage and tactical support during tough encounters.
The game-changing addition is the Assimilation system. Instead of having Valentin fight beside you, you can merge with him directly, absorbing his abilities and stat boosts into your Revenant Hunter protagonist. Companions are literally sealed inside the player character as heart-shaped cores, which sounds dark but fits perfectly with Code Vein’s gothic vampire aesthetic. This system rewards players who build strong relationships with their partners through exploration and side quests, unlocking more powerful Assimilation bonuses.
Building those bonds matters more than ever in Code Vein 2. You can complete special character requests, gift items discovered during exploration, and generally spend time with companions at the MagMell hub between missions. Stronger relationships alter how characters react to your choices, provide unique equipment or crafting materials, and may even influence the story outcomes. For players invested in the anime-style relationship dynamics that defined the original game, these expanded social mechanics should scratch that itch while tying directly into gameplay benefits.
Partner System Overview
- Summoning Mode – Partners fight independently with their own abilities and weapons
- Assimilation Mode – Merge with partners to gain enhanced stats and special powers
- Relationship building unlocks better Assimilation bonuses
- Gift items and special quests strengthen companion bonds
- Partners are sealed as heart-shaped cores within the protagonist
The Vampire World Expanded
Code Vein 2 completely abandons the original game’s story and setting, disappointing fans hoping for resolution to that cliffhanger ending that teased connections to the God Eater series. Producer Keita Iizuka confirmed this is a full soft reboot with new characters, new world, and new lore. The sequel shifts from post-apocalyptic sci-fi to dark medieval fantasy with time-travel mechanics, though traces of the technological aesthetic remain.
The premise centers on Luna Rapacis, a mysterious moon that suddenly appeared and corrupted peaceful Revenants into mindless monsters called Horrors. Players control a Revenant Hunter tasked with preventing total world collapse by traveling between the present and past alongside Lou, a girl with time manipulation powers. By changing key historical moments and altering the fates of important Revenants like Valentin, you uncover hidden truths about what caused the Luna Rapacis crisis.
MagMell serves as your base of operations in both time periods. The underground facility houses all the expected RPG hub amenities including a forge for weapon upgrades, merchants for supplies, a training area to test new abilities, and yes, even a hot spring for character customization and relaxation between missions. The hot spring unlocks new crafting recipes occasionally, giving players incentive to visit beyond just changing hairstyles or adjusting their anime protagonist’s facial features.
Combat Gets a Blood-Soaked Upgrade
The core blood-draining combat that defined Code Vein returns with significant mechanical expansions. Players still absorb blood from defeated enemies to fuel special abilities, but the new Jail system adds layers of complexity to how you approach encounters. Jails are blood-weapon abilities that function as finishing moves and tactical options during combat. Stinger launches a scorpion-like tail to pierce distant enemies, while Ivy summons blades from the ground to impale and drain multiple targets simultaneously.
The returning Hound Jail from the original game lets you summon a massive beast for devastating critical hits when enemies are staggered. Formae abilities expand your offensive and defensive toolkit with everything from defensive barriers to summoned weapons. Bequeathed Formae takes this concept to the extreme, calling forth unique legendary weapons like the Absolute Executioner, a colossal greatsword designed to deliver single killing blows to weakened bosses.
Weapon variety expands beyond the original game’s arsenal. Returning favorites like one-handed swords, bayonets, halberds, and great hammers are joined by two new weapon types. Rune Blades offer magical melee combat with spell-infused strikes, while Dual Swords provide rapid hit-and-run tactics for aggressive players. The Blood Code system that lets you swap character classes and abilities on the fly returns with deeper customization, allowing you to mix and match skills from different codes to create personalized builds.
New Combat Features
| System | Description |
|---|---|
| Jail Abilities | Blood-weapon finishing moves like Stinger and Ivy |
| Formae Powers | Offensive and defensive abilities expanding combat options |
| Rune Blades | New weapon type combining magic and melee attacks |
| Dual Swords | Fast dual-wielding for aggressive combo-focused play |
| Assimilation | Merge with partners for enhanced stats and abilities |
Getting Around Just Got Way Faster
One of the most unexpected additions to Code Vein 2 is the motorcycle. Yes, you read that correctly. Your vampire hunter can summon a spell-based bike designed for traversing the game’s highways and open roads at high speed. Your active partner even rides alongside you, because apparently anime vampires on motorcycles is exactly what this franchise needed. The bike suggests significantly larger environments compared to the original game’s more linear level design.
IGN’s hands-on preview from October praised how Code Vein 2 feels like a more fully realized vision compared to its predecessor. The first game had solid ideas but sometimes felt constrained by budget or development resources. The sequel clearly benefits from the original’s commercial success, with Bandai Namco investing in larger environments, more detailed character models, and improved boss encounter design that rivals the spectacle of FromSoftware’s Souls games.
Why the January Launch Date Matters
Code Vein 2 releases January 30, 2026 on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. However, players who purchase the Deluxe, Ultimate, or Collector’s Editions get three days early access starting January 27. That puts the game right at the beginning of the year when most gamers have disposable income from holiday gifts and before the typical spring release glut begins.
The timing also positions Code Vein 2 ahead of several other major action RPGs scheduled for 2026. Getting in early could help Bandai Namco capture the anime Souls-like audience before competitors arrive. The game faces stiff competition from established franchises, but the original Code Vein carved out a dedicated fanbase that appreciated its lighter tone and character-focused storytelling compared to the deliberately obtuse narratives of Dark Souls or Elden Ring.
PC system requirements reveal the game demands significantly more horsepower than its predecessor. The recommended specs call for an Intel Core i7-12700KF or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D with 16GB RAM just to hit 60 FPS at 1080p. Those are current-gen gaming PC requirements, suggesting Bandai Namco prioritized visual fidelity over backward compatibility with older hardware. The jump to Unreal Engine 5 likely contributes to these increased demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Valentin Voda in Code Vein 2?
Valentin Voda is a companion character and aristocratic Revenant from the prestigious Voda House bloodline. Despite his noble heritage, he opposes the vampire society’s obsession with bloodline purity. He previously led MagMell as a magical research institute and serves as a judicial magistrate arbitrating disputes between vampires and humans. Players can recruit him as a partner who fights alongside them or merge with him through the Assimilation system.
When does Code Vein 2 release?
Code Vein 2 officially launches January 30, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. Players who purchase the Deluxe, Ultimate, or Collector’s Editions receive three days early access starting January 27, 2026. The game is available for pre-order now with prices starting at $69.99 for the standard edition.
Is Code Vein 2 a direct sequel to the first game?
No, Code Vein 2 is a soft reboot set in a completely different world with new characters and an original story. Producer Keita Iizuka confirmed there are no direct plot connections to the 2019 original game, meaning the cliffhanger ending teasing God Eater connections will not be resolved. The sequel maintains similar gameplay mechanics and aesthetic style while starting fresh narratively.
How does the Partner System work in Code Vein 2?
The new Partner System offers two modes. Summoning Mode lets companions like Valentin fight independently alongside you with their own abilities. Assimilation Mode merges partners directly into your character, granting enhanced stats and special powers. Companions are sealed as heart-shaped cores within the protagonist. Building stronger relationships through quests and gifts unlocks more powerful Assimilation bonuses.
What are the main gameplay changes from the original Code Vein?
Code Vein 2 introduces the Jail system for blood-weapon finishing moves, Formae abilities for expanded combat options, two new weapon types including Rune Blades and Dual Swords, time-travel mechanics for exploring past and present versions of locations, rideable motorcycles for traversing larger environments, and the Assimilation system for merging with partners. The game also features significantly bigger levels compared to the first game’s linear design.
Can you still customize your character in Code Vein 2?
Yes, Code Vein 2 features an even deeper character customization system than the original. Players can adjust body type, hairstyle, facial features, expressions, accessories, makeup, and more. The hot spring area in the MagMell hub allows you to change your appearance at any time and occasionally unlocks new crafting recipes as a bonus for visiting.
Will Code Vein 2 have multiplayer or co-op?
Bandai Namco has not officially announced multiplayer or co-op features for Code Vein 2 as of December 2025. The game focuses on single-player experience with AI-controlled companion characters through the Partner System. The original game featured online co-op, so its absence from marketing materials may indicate the sequel is strictly single-player, though official confirmation hasn’t been provided.
The Character Roster Keeps Growing
Valentin Voda joins several other revealed companions including Lou MagMell, the time-manipulating girl who serves as the game’s deuteragonist, Lavinia Voda, a Revenant descendant who leads the MagMell organization fighting for humanity’s salvation, and Josee, a Revenant doctor researching the Resurgence phenomenon that transforms peaceful vampires into twisted monsters. Each character represents different vampire bloodlines with unique abilities and philosophical perspectives on the human-Revenant conflict.
Bandai Namco has been steadily releasing character trailers throughout December, building hype for the January launch. Previous trailers showcased boss encounters like The Dejected Assailant and The One-Armed Resurgence Offspring, giving players glimpses of the challenging fights awaiting them. These bosses look significantly more impressive than the original game’s encounters, with elaborate attack patterns and arena-filling special moves that demand careful observation and timing.
With launch just weeks away, expect more character reveals and gameplay deep dives as Bandai Namco enters the final marketing push. The Valentin Voda trailer represents the kind of character-focused storytelling that made the original Code Vein stand out in the crowded Souls-like market. Whether you’re invested in the anime melodrama or just want stylish vampire combat with deep customization, Code Vein 2 is shaping up to deliver both in spades when it arrives at the end of January.