I tried:
-running the .exe from the folder (both versions)
-run as admin, no fullscreen optimization, etc.etc.
-verified/repair
-updated every single driver to the point where I think that even the LEDs on the CPU fan are running on the latest patch
-restartet the pc multiple times
-reinstalled the game multiple times on different drives

Yet the game flashes up for a nanosecond and then dies without even showing any error message or giving me any idea what the problem is

No idea. But you should probably at least mention the OS and hardware involved.

Same problem here. Did you manage to solve it?

I can not start the game when i have Vulkan enabled - with Dx11 it runs flawless.
Did you try to change the API ?

Same issue, game freezes on 100% load 3 of 4 times

Game was working fine for me for the first week, then last night (after successfully playing in the afternoon) I'm finding this exact thing... it freezes when it hits 100% on the initial load screen every single time, prior to bringing up the main menu.

Update: On a whim I let it sit on the frozen screen while I went and did something else and when I returned it had unfrozen. I quit the game, restarted it and timed it. It sat frozen on the 100% of the initial screen for over two minutes before unfreezing and moving on to the main menu. No idea why this behavior started, but it's new and very annoying.