Developers of The Blood of Dawnwalker Reveal 20 Minutes of Gameplay from Their New Vampire-Themed RPG

Rebel Wolves Unveils Extensive Gameplay Footage of Their First Game

The talented team behind the acclaimed titles The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, Rebel Wolves, has introduced a comprehensive 20-minute gameplay trailer for their debut project, The Blood of Dawnwalker. This reveal provides a detailed look into the game’s mechanics, combat system, and immersive environment, generated from a pre-beta PC build.

Dynamic Combat and RPG Mechanics in Action

The gameplay begins with a daytime fight scene where the protagonist, Cohen, battles a group of bandits using his sword and active abilities. Notably, players must manually target attacks, choosing directions such as above, below, left, or right—reminiscent of classic RPGs like Gothic. The combat system emphasizes rhythm-based attacks and blocking, requiring tactical timing rather than button mashing. Besides human skills, players will be able to upgrade vampiric powers and general perks, adding depth to character development.

Living World and Environmental Interactions

The footage then shifts to a bustling city street, illustrating Cohen’s journey toward a cathedral. The developers showcase lively NPC interactions: guards attempting to break into a door or a mother and child reciting prayers outside the church. The game’s world feels alive, with NPCs reacting to the player’s actions and surrounding events. Certain dialogue choices are timed, and previous decisions influence future scenarios, making each playthrough unique. Importantly, the time of day significantly impacts gameplay—daytime renders the cathedral safe but limits exploration, while nighttime grants access to vampiric abilities for platforming but introduces new dangers.

Vampiric Abilities and Special Perceptions

Players utilize a special perception mode, similar to a witcher’s “Witcher Sense,” highlighting key objects and points of interest in the environment. To restore health, Cohen can drink NPC blood at night—an adjustable mechanic allowing players to choose whether to leave victims alive or not. This feature adds moral complexity and strategic depth to gameplay, as players balance survival and ethical choices.

Storytelling, Romance, and Quest Design

In the gameplay trailer’s conclusion, the developers confirmed the inclusion of three optional romantic storylines, providing players with additional role-playing options. They also emphasized the importance of quest management: players will always see a countdown of days remaining before a main quest deadline, adding urgency and planning elements to the narrative.

Open-World Freedom and Player Agency

The game is described as a narrative sandbox, allowing players complete freedom from the start. They can explore the world at their own pace, even attempting to tackle the final boss early or kill quest-giving NPCs accidentally. Such choices can lead to unexpected story twists, demonstrating the game’s emphasis on player agency and emergent storytelling.

Release Date and Platforms

The Blood of Dawnwalker is scheduled for release in 2026 and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The developers reaffirm that the game’s combat will heavily revolve around the protagonist’s vampiric nature, promising a unique blend of action, narrative, and atmospheric exploration.

Alex "Pixel" Petrov

Gaming journalist & industry insider. Covers the latest game releases, updates, and behind-the-scenes dev stories. Knows every Easter egg, patch note, and upcoming title worth hyping. Always gaming, always analyzing.