Code Vein II's Mask of Idris DLC puts its September story behind the ending
Bandai Namco has put a date on Code Vein II: Mask of Idris. The paid expansion launches September 9, 2026, and the important detail is the access gate: players need to reach the Luna Fraterna ending and advance Valentin's Request before entering the new story.
That makes this DLC less of a casual add-on and more of a post-game chapter. Bandai Namco America's announcement says Mask of Idris is included with the Deluxe and Ultimate editions, and it will also be sold separately. The same announcement says a free Version 2.0 update launches alongside the expansion, so every player should have something to download even if they skip the paid content.
What paying players receive
PlayStation Blog gives the clearest look at what paying players receive. The expansion sends players into the Forsaken World and introduces Liv Voda and Lou MagMell as new partners. It also lists new weapons, Formae, bosses, and encounters tied to the DLC's ruined setting. Bandai Namco Europe's post corroborates the story premise and repeats the progression requirement, which is the part buyers need to catch before launch day.
Why the progress gate matters
For players, the gate changes the buying decision. If you finished Code Vein II and want more story, September 9 is a real date to circle. If you are still midway through the campaign, the expansion is not urgent unless you already know you want the edition bundle. The DLC appears built for invested players who understand the game's systems and have already made it through one of its key endings.
That is a healthier sales message than a vague content drop. A post-game requirement tells the buyer what kind of commitment the content expects. It also warns lapsed players that they may need to return to the base game first. If a player left Code Vein II after the credits without finishing Valentin's Request, the launch-day plan should include catch-up time, not only a download.
That matters for families too. Code Vein II is not being pitched here as a light weekend expansion. It is a dark action RPG with post-game stakes, new bosses, and story material that assumes the player has already spent a lot of time in the world. Parents buying for teens should check the base game's rating and tone before treating the DLC like a harmless costume pack.
The buying decision
The encouraging part is clarity. Bandai Namco is telling players up front that Mask of Idris has a story requirement. That saves people from buying the DLC on launch day and discovering they are still hours away from the door. It also keeps the expansion framed honestly: this is a continuation for players who have done the work, with a free update running beside it for the wider audience.
The Version 2.0 update also gives Crosspad a clean editorial note for later. If the free update changes balance, performance, or quality-of-life friction in a noticeable way, that may deserve separate coverage after players test it. For today's draft, the safe claim is narrower: paid story content arrives September 9, and the free update lands with it.
Crosspad should also keep the edition messaging straight. Deluxe and Ultimate owners may already have access through their purchase, while standard-edition players should confirm pricing before assuming the content is included. That sounds basic, but it is exactly where families waste money on digital storefronts. Check the edition, check the progress gate, then decide whether September 9 is a launch-day purchase or a later return.
Crosspad's read: wait if you have not finished the relevant ending path. Buy or redeem it if Code Vein II is already your main September game and you want a tougher post-game route with new partners and bosses. The sources line up cleanly on the date, gate, setting, and update plan.
Sources
Bandai Namco Entertainment America: Bandai Namco Entertainment America
PlayStation Blog: PlayStation Blog
Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe: Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe
Continue exploring Video Games coverage from Crosspad Gaming.