Code Vein 2 drops tomorrow with early access today for deluxe editions

Code Vein 2 launches tomorrow on January 30th, but deluxe edition owners get a thrilling advantage today. Players who pre-ordered the Deluxe, Ultimate, or Collector’s editions unlock 72-hour early access, starting January 27th across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. This vampire-inspired action RPG from Bandai Namco has been generating massive hype with its time-traveling story and intense combat.

Deluxe Editions Unlock Early Adventure

The Deluxe Edition retails for $89.99 and grants immediate access starting today for lucky pre-order players. This edition includes three exclusive costume sets and the Mask of Idris expansion DLC, plus the stylized Forma set with face paint and the Twin Fangs of the Lone Wolf weapon. The Ultimate Edition adds even more value with six character costumes based on the original Code Vein, a digital mini-artbook, and soundtrack. Those willing to splurge on the Collector’s Edition receive an 18cm Lou MagMell figurine, steelbook, and 60-page artbook.

For standard edition players without early access, the full release tomorrow ends the waiting game. All versions include the core experience, though early buyers get a competitive advantage exploring this post-apocalyptic world before the rest of us.

A Tale Spanning Past and Present

Code Vein 2 tells a completely new story unconnected to the original game. As a Revenant hunter, players team up with Lou, a time-manipulating character, to travel 100 years into the past. Your mission is stopping the Resurgence, a catastrophic force turning Revenants into mindless Horrors. The game’s major innovation is allowing players to alter historical events, potentially saving doomed characters by changing their fates before returning to the present. This time-travel mechanic creates branching storylines and tough moral choices.

Director Hiroshi Yoshimura emphasized that timeline manipulation ties directly to character development and world-altering consequences. Defeating corrupted former heroes lets you potentially return to save them, but helping them might compromise your ultimate mission.

Combat Customization at Its Peak

The combat system blows open with unprecedented customization options. You can equip four special Formae abilities per weapon, corresponding to each face button. These powers fall into three categories: Combat strikes, Magic spells, and Support effects. Every weapon, from massive greatswords to fast dual blades and gun-mounted bayonets, pairs with unique Formae combinations. The system drains Ichor, which you steal from enemies using powerful Drain Attacks.

Combat Element	Details
Weapons	Greatswords, dual blades, bayonets, and more
Special Jails	Ogre claws, Hound gauntlets, scorpion tails, bat swarms
Blood Codes	Core build system defining character fighting style
Partner Assimilation	Fuse with allies for stat boosts mid-battle

Jails are special draining weapons with completely different mechanics. The Ogre Jail slashes enemies, while the Hound bites viciously. Some fire like scorpion tails, others summon bat swarms. Each pairs with specific Blood Codes, the foundation of your build. The flexibility means no two playthroughs feel identical, and experimentation is rewarded.

Brutal Bosses and Powerful Partners

Hands-on reports confirm toughness matching any modern Souls-like. Bosses like the Metagen Remnant have massive health pools and devastating melee attacks. Staggering enemies unlocks special Drain Attacks dealing massive damage. Partners add depth by fighting alongside you, but they also introduce assimilation, a system letting you fuse with them for stat bonuses during crucial moments. Partners function as extra lives too, reviving you when defeated with a temporary cooldown.

‘Code Vein II maintains the core elements of its predecessor, but it feels more like a standalone action-RPG than a sequel.’

— Phil Hornshaw, PlayStation Blog Contributor

System Requirements and Performance Benchmarks

The game demands solid PC specs for optimal performance. Minimum requirements list Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 with 16GB RAM, targeting stable 30fps at low settings in 1080p. For high settings hitting 60fps, you’ll need Intel Core i7-12700KF or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D with RTX 3080 or Radeon RX 6800. All versions require 70GB SSD storage. The PEGI 16+ rating signals blood and violence themes central to the Revenant aesthetic.

Is Early Access Worth Your Money Right Now?

Three days of early access provides genuine advantage, letting deluxe buyers explore dungeons, experiment with builds, and tackle bosses before standard edition players join. Sharing strategies and comparing builds with early access players might spoil surprises for others waiting. The $20 difference over standard edition buys not just cosmetics and DLC, but three days of breathing room to master intermediate-level content before the January 30th mainstream release floods servers.

Sources

• Bandai Namco Entertainment – Official Code Vein 2 website and edition details
• PlayStation Blog – Hands-on preview report with gameplay mechanics analysis
• Steam Store – Platform specifications and release date confirmation