First look at Code Vein, Bandai Namco’s new action RPG

The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu is now available, providing our first look at Code Vein, the new Unreal Engine 4 action RPG from Bandai Namco led by key God Eater staff Keita Iizuka (producer), Hiroshi Yoshimura (director), and Yusuke Tomizawa (team leader).

Code Vein is set in the near future, where the earth’s crust was pierced by the “thorns of judgment” and everything fell to ruin. The setting of the game is “Vein,” a closed society where a people known as “Revenants” just barely managed to survive.

Although Revenants possess supernatural powers, it came at the price of losing the majority of their memory. When low on blood, a Revenant’s humanity will decay, and since that would result in them turning into a monster called a “Lost,” they must continue to suck up blood.

The player will become a member of the Revenants, and while working together with allies, explore the world of Vein where countless Losts of all types, big and small, wander about. In doing so, players will draw near the full story behind the birth of the Revenants and the mysteries of Vein itself, a city fallen to ruin by the thorns of judgment. Will the cause of the ruin be connected to the birth of the Revenants? What is the truth that awaits them on this desperate journey?

One of the biggest features of Code Vein is the existence of a “Buddy.” When exploring Vein, you can take along a single Buddy. By sharing the sense of accomplishment of defeating strong enemies and overcoming the point of death, that feeling evolves into something special. You’ll witness Vein’s variety of faces—from mountainous regions enclosed by ice to caves and underground shopping areas—as you travel alongside your Buddy. There will even be dark areas full of dangers. Pay attention for the Losts lurking in the darkness of these aras while relying on the little amount of light you have available. Having a Buddy enables you to use tactics such as setting a decoy. Other than the sense of security a Buddy offers, they also come with great merit.

Revenants will have access to a variety of weapon types. These are mainly close combat weapons such as great words and one-handed swords. But since the attack action is different depending on the type of weapon, you can choose a weapon that fits your style.

Blood Veils are Revenant-original equipment that suck up the blood of Losts. It usually takes on the form of clothing, and although it has aspects of armor, it has an exclusive mechanism that appears during blood sucking. Additionally, it transforms the mask of the user into a more violent form. The blood of the Losts obtained through the blood sucking mechanism of a Blood Veil is transported into the user’s mouth through a pipe in the equipment. There are several types of Blood Veils, and you’ll be able to play out a variety of tactics by combining them with your weapons.

One kind of Blood Veil forms sinister claws shaped like gauntlets on the user’s right hand. It has short reach, but can suck up blood fast in close combat. Once the Blood Veil develops on the right hand, the user’s mask also starts to transform, covering half of their face with a blood sucking mask. By piercing your right hand into the enemy, you can suck up their blood. The method of blood sucking is unknown for this type of Blood Veil, but it may be that there is a mechanism in the palm or arm.

Screenshots in the magazine show another type of tailed Blood Veil. A girl is pictured activating it, her eyes shining red when doing so, and her mask changing shape before piercing enemies from a distance.

Tempered Blood is Revenant-exclusive technique. After successfully landing a blood sucking attack, you an activate this action using the blood obtained from Losts. Tempered Blood offers an abundance of effect variations, including strengthening yourself, weakening enemies, and direct attacks. Figuring out how to successfully land blood sucking attacks and when to use Tempered Blood in battles against Losts are key to exploring Vein and clearing dungeons.

One example of Tempered Blood is as follows: a large amount of blood shoots out of the ground like pillars and attacks the enemy. This is an effective technique when facing several opponents. And given that a Revenant’s weapons are generally meant for close combat, this is a useful way to strike from a distance.

Development on Code Vein is currently 35 percent complete. The game is due out worldwide for unannounced platform(s) in 2018. An official announcement will be made tomorrow, April 20, across Bandai Namco’s western and Japanese divisions. A teaser trailer was released last week.

Thanks for the scans, Famigeki.