Immersive RPG Fuses Action with Social Intrigue

Rebel Wolves Unveils Cinematic Trailer for The Blood of Dawnwalker

Former CD Projekt Red developers at Rebel Wolves have released a cinematic trailer for their debut title, The Blood of Dawnwalker. This open-world RPG, set in a dark fantasy world, shares thematic similarities with The Witcher, featuring morally gray choices and an outcast protagonist. A unique element is the integration of Persona-like time management mechanics.

The trailer, predominantly pre-rendered cinematic footage with brief gameplay glimpses, highlights the game's Witcher-esque atmosphere. Announced initially as Dawnwalker in January 2024, the game was officially revealed as The Blood of Dawnwalker on January 13, 2025, during a livestream hosted by Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco. The over four-and-a-half-minute trailer introduces the setting and the Dawnwalkers—powerful vampire-like beings—along with the protagonist, Coen, who becomes a Dawnwalker early in the game.

Echoes of The Witcher

The dark fantasy setting, monstrous creatures, open-world exploration, and morally ambiguous choices immediately draw comparisons to The Witcher series. The tagline, "the world needs what it fears," further reinforces this connection. Fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Blood and Wine expansion, with its vampire elements and challenging moral dilemmas, will likely find The Blood of Dawnwalker particularly appealing. The game's morality system allows players to choose whether Coen embraces his Dawnwalker powers to save his family or clings to his humanity.

A Unique Time Management System

While drawing inspiration from The Witcher, The Blood of Dawnwalker innovates with Persona-style time management. Every quest consumes time, and there's no clear distinction between main and side quests. As Rebel Wolves co-founder and game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz explains, "There are multiple approaches to saving Coen’s family with no clear division between main and side quests; you decide on how you spend the time." This "narrative sandbox" approach, where completing all quests in a single playthrough is impossible, is designed to enhance replayability and ensure unique experiences.

Platform and Release

Currently in development for PC and current-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles, The Blood of Dawnwalker is planned as the first installment in a trilogy. Published by Bandai Namco, the game, with its AAA budget and 2022 development start, is unlikely to launch before 2027. Rebel Wolves has promised a gameplay reveal trailer in Summer 2025.