Gameplay Reveal of 'Blood of Dawnwalker' Showcases Combative Encounters and Vampiric Abilities
Blood of Dawnwalker clocked 10 years since its conception back in May, and if you've been craving an RPG of similar caliber, this might be your lucky day! Hailing from Rebel Wolves, a group comprising ex-CD Projekt Red developers heavily engaged with both Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, this fantasy RPG is shaping up nicely.
The game throws you into the shoes of Coen, a man recently transformed into a vampire/human hybrid, battling against time and supernatural enemies lurking in 14th-century medieval Europe. With just 30 days and nights to salvage his family, you'll need to pick your battles, make crucial decisions, and eventually overthrow the ruling vampire lords to stand a chance at survival. Despite the ticking clock, the game remains open-world, letting you explore at your leisure until you embark on specific, clearly marked missions. The grand finale with the antagonist Brencis might be closer than you think, but Coen can either face him alone or rally a team of allies along the way.
As in most RPGs, combat is at the heart of Blood of Dawnwalker, pitting you against foes armed with melee weapons and magic. Engage in melee combat, using your weapons (or claws at night) to hit vulnerable targets, while casting magical hexes will exhaust your health but empower you with incredible abilities, such as setting enemies ablaze with the power of their own blood. According to Daniel Sadowski, the design director, your health doesn't naturally regenerate during daylight hours, so you'll need to feast upon food to refuel and invest skill points in abilities that mitigate health drain during spellcasting.
At night, Coen can tap into his vampire abilities, providing enhanced stealth, advanced scouting, and alternative methods for traversing the game world. Utilizing these abilities requires blood, which you can obtain through dining on humans, animals, or "other creatures." During a recent showcase, Sadowski highlighted the game's emphasis on player freedom and the "narrative sandbox," enabling you to tackle quests in any order you choose. The open-endedness that made the Witcher series so popular seems to be a priority for Rebel Wolves as they lay the groundwork for what they hope will become a new dark fantasy franchise.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to drop in 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Keep a weather eye on upcoming releases from the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes, see what's next for DC on the big and small screens, and stay tuned for the future of Doctor Who. Stay amazing, keep gaming, and don't forget to feed your newfound thirst for adventure!
In the world of gaming, Gizmodo and IO9 might be interested in the upcoming release of Blood of Dawnwalker, a dark fantasy RPG developed by Rebel Wolves, creators behind projects like Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. With its immersive narrative sandbox and focus on player freedom, Blood of Dawnwalker could potentially revolutionize the RPG genre, especially with its unique twist of vampire abilities and open-world exploration. Beyond its release in 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, fans can look forward to other exciting ventures in the realms of Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, and Doctor Who.
