CODE VEIN II details time-split quest; demo lands 23 January 2026

Table of Content

A new walkthrough trailer for CODE VEIN II lays out how its story jumps between past and present while the Revenant Hunter fights to halt a looming collapse. The footage takes players 100 years into the past to join Josée on a mission to cleanse the waters of Sunken City and uncover the cause of its crisis. It also maps a route through the Sunken Pylon area – a pivotal location tied to purifying Sunken City. Alongside the narrative setup, the video outlines core combat tools, the Formae skill system, and a dual-approach partner system.

Story setup – past and present collide

The trailer frames a campaign that threads between timelines: players step back a century to accompany Josée, whose journey is burdened by past mistakes and the duty to cleanse Sunken City. Her path sets up confrontations that anchor the game’s larger struggle to prevent the world’s collapse. The Sunken Pylon emerges as a sprawling hub tied directly to that restoration effort.

Combat overview – seven weapon types

Action spans seven distinct weapon types, balancing speed and impact. The new dual blades emphasize agility, while the halberd trades speed for reach and power. The trailer presents encounters across these styles, signaling a toolkit that supports varied approaches to offense and spacing.

Formae explained – three categories, fueled by Ichor

Formae are special skills split into three groups: weapon, defensive and bequeathed. Each use draws on Ichor, a crucial resource replenished via the Drain attack. This loop – build Ichor with Drain, spend it on Formae – underpins how players chain utility, burst damage and survivability mid-fight.

Partners in battle – summon or assimilate

The partner system supports two modes: call an ally to fight at your side or assimilate their combat prowess for a solo boost. Recovery is addressed through the Restorative Offering, letting partners revive the downed Hunter by transferring recovered health. A cooldown then leaves that partner temporarily incapacitated, limiting immediate follow-up assistance and forcing tactical decisions.

Character Creator Demo – what you can do on day one

• Start date: 23 January 2026
• Create and customize Revenant Hunters – saves carry over into the full release.
• Explore the MagMell Institute, try Photo Mode, and unwind in the Hot Spring.

Release timing and platforms

CODE VEIN II is set to launch on 30 January 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam.

Release timeline and platforms – quick reference

The table below summarizes the key dates and where you can play. Use it to plan your demo time and full release access.

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Final takeaway – systems-first look before release

The trailer outlines how time-hopping narrative beats, a seven-weapon combat lineup and the Formae–Ichor cycle fit together, with the partner mechanics adding risk–reward choices in recovery. With a carryover-enabled demo on 23 January 2026 and a full launch on 30 January 2026, players can lock in their build and get a feel for the systems before committing to the campaign.