Rebel Wolves, founded by former CD Projekt Red developers, recently unveiled the cinematic reveal trailer for their debut game, *The Blood of Dawnwalker*. This open-world RPG, which was initially announced as *Dawnwalker* in January 2024, showcases a dark fantasy setting reminiscent of *The Witcher*. The reveal stream, hosted by Rebel Wolves and publisher Bandai Namco on January 13, featured an extended trailer lasting over four and a half minutes. The trailer not only sets the game's atmosphere but also introduces the protagonist, Coen, who transforms into a Dawnwalker—a powerful vampire-like entity—early in the game.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Reveal Trailer Is Reminiscent of The Witcher
*The Blood of Dawnwalker* echoes the dark fantasy themes, intricate moral choices, and open-world exploration that fans loved in *The Witcher*. The game's tagline, "the world needs what it fears," alongside its focus on a morality system where players can choose whether Coen embraces his Dawnwalker nature or retains his humanity, will particularly resonate with fans of *The Witcher 3*'s *Blood and Wine* expansion. This emphasis on player-driven narratives and morally gray decisions is a hallmark of the game, designed to engage players deeply in Coen's journey to save his family.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Also Takes a Page From Persona's Book
Beyond its similarities to *The Witcher*, *The Blood of Dawnwalker* introduces innovative gameplay mechanics inspired by *Persona*. The game incorporates time management elements, where every quest consumes time, and players must strategically decide how to allocate their hours. According to Rebel Wolves co-founder and game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the absence of a clear distinction between main and side quests allows players to craft unique paths to save Coen's family. This "narrative sandbox" approach ensures that no single playthrough can complete all quests and story arcs, promoting replayability and personalized gaming experiences.
Currently in development for PC and current-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles, *The Blood of Dawnwalker* is the first installment in what is envisioned as a trilogy. While the game has a triple-A budget and began development in 2022, a release is not expected before 2027. In the interim, Rebel Wolves plans to showcase more gameplay in the summer of 2025.
