GameTimeline

Release & story order

Code Vein games in order

Use this page for code vein games in order—Bandai Namco’s anime-styled souls-like from the 2019 Gaol of the Mists debut through Code Vein II in early 2026. Release lists US/Steam windows for the base game, the Hellfire Knight season-pass era, and the sequel. Story keeps spoiler pressure low: finish the 2019 campaign (and optional Depths boss DLCs) before treating II as a new hunter chapter rather than a required midquel novel. Essentials covers base-game or base-plus-DLC before II. Neighbors: Lies of P, Dark Souls, Bloodborne.

Updated September 2026

Pick your path:

Base game Base plus DLC Full release list Story order

Where to start

Pick Base game for the 2019 campaign alone, or Base plus DLC if you want Hellfire Knight on the checklist before deciding on Code Vein II. II stays a separate buy after you know whether you like the combat and companion fantasy.

  • First souls-like anime try → base-game only
  • Completionists → base-plus-dlc then buy II separately
  • Sequel jumpers → still finish 2019 if lore callbacks matter to you
  • Budget → Season Pass often cheaper than three DLCs à la carte

Release order

When each Code Vein milestone shipped—Code Vein (September 27, 2019), Hellfire Knight as the first paid Depths boss pack (January 28–29, 2020) with Frozen Empress and Lord of Thunder following in February–March, then Code Vein II (consoles January 29, 2026; Steam January 30, 2026). Release order is the store-shelf path.

  • Newcomers 2026 → Code Vein base, then decide on Season Pass bosses
  • Full 2019 shelf → Hellfire Knight + Frozen Empress + Lord of Thunder
  • Sequel-ready → finish 2019 before Code Vein II
  • Skip cost → skipping 2019 softens II nostalgia, not systems literacy alone
Story order tips

Soft fiction path: clear the 2019 Revenant campaign and optional Hellfire-era Depths bosses before jumping to Code Vein II’s new hunter / time-travel fantasy. II is a sequel, not a replacement mid-chapter—expect new partners and setting pressure more than a beat-by-beat Gaol epilogue. Mask of Idris and other 2026 II extras stay FAQ until you finish the sequel base.

  • 2019 campaign first—companions and Blood Codes matter
  • Hellfire trio is optional post-game Depths spice
  • Code Vein II starts a new hunter arc—play after 2019 if you care about brand context
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

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When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Code Vein

    Code Vein

    PCPS4Xbox OneAction RPGMainlineSouls-like

    Code Vein (September 27, 2019) drops custom Revenants into the Gaol of the Mists—partner AI, Blood Codes, and anime character creator energy on a Bandai Namco souls-like frame. Required start before any Depths boss DLC or Code Vein II.

    Overview
    Companion-forward souls-like with deep character creation and gift/Blood Code builds. It carved a niche between FromSoftware difficulty and anime presentation that II still answers.
    In-game setting
    Gaol campaign with partner quests and multiple endings. Play fully before treating Hellfire Depths bosses as mandatory; Story tab keeps the same base-first advice.
    Should you play it?
    Required on both Essentials paths. Neighbors: Lies of P, Dark Souls, Nioh.
    Release date
    US September 27, 2019 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam). Later backward compatibility covers newer Xbox hardware.
  2. Code Vein: Hellfire Knight

    Code Vein: Hellfire Knight

    PCPS4Xbox OneExpansionBossSeason Pass

    Hellfire Knight (Steam January 28, 2020; consoles January 29) opens the paid Depths boss season—new boss, blood code, weapons, and partner costumes. Frozen Empress and Lord of Thunder follow as sibling packs; see FAQ rather than three nearly identical Release rows.

    Overview
    Post-game Depths challenge packs that extend buildcrafting without rewriting the Gaol campaign. Season Pass buyers usually grab all three boss DLCs as one shelf.
    In-game setting
    Optional after the 2019 ending. Frozen Empress (late February 2020) and Lord of Thunder (late March 2020) continue the same Depths boss fantasy—FAQ covers icy / thunder siblings.
    Should you play it?
    Required on base-plus-dlc; optional on base-game. Skip if you only want the campaign before Code Vein II.
    Release date
    Steam January 28, 2020; US console listings commonly January 29, 2020. Bundle via Season Pass when possible.
  3. Code Vein II

    Code Vein II

    PCPS5Xbox Series X|SAction RPGMainlineSequel

    Code Vein II launched January 29, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with Steam following January 30—new Revenant hunter fantasy, partners, and time-travel exploration rather than a simple Gaol remaster. Play after the 2019 game if brand context matters.

    Overview
    Full sequel on current-gen hardware with Partner system updates and a new catastrophe frame. It is the 2026 default “new Code Vein,” not a DLC episode.
    In-game setting
    Separate hunter arc after the 2019 campaign. Mask of Idris and Ver. 2.0 extras announced around September 2026 stay FAQ until you finish the base sequel.
    Should you play it?
    Buy after 2019 if you liked companions and Blood Code buildcraft. Not a substitute for finishing the first game’s endings if you care about franchise callbacks.
    Release date
    Consoles January 29, 2026; Steam January 30, 2026. Deluxe/Ultimate editions may include early access and later DLC entitlements—check your storefront.

FAQ

Where to start in 2026, Hellfire Knight / Frozen Empress / Lord of Thunder, Code Vein II links, and companion tips.

Play order

Start with Code Vein (2019).

Optional: Hellfire Knight season-pass Depths bosses.

Then Code Vein II (January 2026).

Neighbors: Lies of P, Dark Souls, Nioh.

DLC & sequel

Hellfire Knight (late January 2020) starts the paid Depths boss season.

Frozen Empress (late February 2020) is the icy sibling pack—guides sometimes nickname gear “Icy Spine,” but the store DLC title is Frozen Empress.

Lord of Thunder (late March 2020) closes the trio. Buy the Season Pass when possible.

Yes. Consoles launched January 29, 2026; Steam January 30, 2026. It is a full sequel on this timeline—not an unannounced rumor row. Later 2026 extras such as Mask of Idris stay FAQ until you finish the sequel base.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.