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For a time, it felt like vampires completely took over the bookstore, the cineplex, and your television. But aside from a Castlevania here and a BloodRayne there, the bloodsucking fiends have kept their fangs away from video games.

Bandai Namco wants to change all that in 2018 with the release of Code Vein, an anime-styled action RPG that’s currently in development for “major home consoles” (I assume that’s a euphemism for “PS4 and Xbox One, but not Nintendo’s Switch”). In the post-apocalyptic world of Code Vein, players will attempt to recover their lost memories and stave off their vampiric curse:

In the not too distant future, a mysterious disaster has brought collapse to the world, as we know it. Towering skyscrapers, once symbols of prosperity, are now lifeless graves of humanity’s past pierced by the Thorns of Judgment. At the center of the destruction lies a hidden society of Revenants called Vein. This final stronghold is where the remaining few fight to survive, blessed with Gifts of power in exchange for their memories and a thirst for blood. Give into the bloodlust fully and risk becoming one of the Lost, fiendish ghouls devoid of any remaining humanity.

As you might expect, players will be able to feed on their enemies, but they’ll also be able to use this nourishment to unlock special abilities known as Gifts:

Revenants also have access to Blood Veils, devices capable of draining the blood of their enemies in order to enhance their own abilities. Exploiting these enhanced abilities known as Gifts, players can change their form to increase their strength, weaken enemies, and utilize new weapon abilities with overpowered attacks. Utilizing the vast array of weaponry along with each character’s Gift, players can adapt and strategize to a variety of battle conditions that suit their play styles.

A very stylish teaser trailer for Code Vein can be found after the break. (more…)