A fresh IP has graced the gaming world with the announcement of The Blood of Dawnwalker, an action RPG created by former developers of two of the most celebrated games ever made: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077.
The game is helmed by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the game director of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, the quest director of Cyberpunk 2077, who delivered some of the best quests in that game. However, The Blood of Dawnwalker isn’t a CD Projekt Red production. Instead, it is being developed by a new studio, Rebel Wolves, formed by these industry veterans and inspired by their experiences with Geralt and V’s stories.
Since the game was only just announced, little information about its mechanics is available. However, more will be shown during its gameplay reveal this Summer, 2025.
Fortunately, a brief trailer has provided some intriguing details. Here’s what we know about The Blood of Dawnwalker:
It’s Witcher but with Vampires
Unlike the monster-slayer Geralt of Rivia, this game introduces players to a different kind of superhuman — someone skilled in the art of shadows and bloodsucking.
As a Dawnwalker (a being between human and vampire), the protagonist uses newfound powers to protect his family. If this doesn’t already feel like a Witcher game, the premise — steeped in moral ambiguity — echoes its spirit.
Fans of the Blood & Wine expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will find much to enjoy here, as the game promises plenty of blood-sucking and vampire lore.
Wait, Vampires!?
Set in 14th-century medieval Europe, the game depicts a world where vampires emerge from the shadows to overthrow oppressive feudal lords.
Players assume the role of Coen, a newly transformed vampire learning the ways of the Vampire Arts.
While much of the story remains under wraps, the trailer suggests players will carry out tasks for Higher Vampires, particularly Brencis, a powerful ancient vampire that we saw in the trailer.
Brencis views himself as a savior of the new world, a dangerously complex perspective in a world where morality isn’t black and white.
These vampiric figures aren’t purely evil or wholly good. Their return heralds a new era for mankind, but their goal is singular: to strip feudal lords of excessive power.
Throughout the game, Coen and Brencis are adversaries, with Brencis acting as an antagonist. His responses to the player’s decisions will shape the story, and he may impose obstacles through his edicts.
Think of Brencis as Emperor Emhyr from The Witcher 3 but with a taste for human blood instead of Toussaint wine.
Bloody Gameplay
The trailer offers a brief glimpse of gameplay, showcasing combat that builds on The Witcher 3’s signs and swordplay. As a Dawnwalker, Coen wields an arsenal of abilities alongside traditional weaponry.
While details about his vampiric powers remain scarce, blood will likely play a central role.
One notable mechanic is Blood Hunger, which requires Coen to feed periodically. Failing to do so could lead to losing control and feeding on someone significant, a unique twist for a vampire game.
A Living, Breathing Sandbox World
The game features a dynamic day-and-night cycle, with daytime offering relative safety compared to the dangers of nighttime.
What sets The Blood of Dawnwalker apart is its unique sense of urgency. Players have 30 in-game days and nights to save Coen’s family, adding a layer of tension. Time advances with the completion of quests, but exploration doesn’t deplete it, allowing players to immerse themselves in the plague-stricken world.
Rebel Wolves has clarified that the 30-day timeframe doesn’t enforce a hard limit. Players can take their time exploring without feeling rushed.
As a living sandbox, the game invites comparisons to Skyrim and other non-linear RPGs, offering players the freedom to craft their own vampire power fantasies.
The Blood of Dawnwalker has no release date yet, but it will be available on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.
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