Blood of the Dawnwalker Preview

A thoughtful look at Rebel Wolves' vampire RPG Blood of the Dawnwalker previewed at Gamescom.

Blood of the Dawnwalker Blends daylight and doom in a bold vampire RPG

Blood of the Dawnwalker, Rebel Wolves' debut RPG, is slated for 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The project counts Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, former Witcher 3 director, among its founders, with several ex-CD Projekt Red staffers on board. The game blends a dark fantasy world with vampire lore and a sandbox approach that promises multiple ways to reach objectives. In recent Gamescom demonstrations, players saw a daylight mode that lets the protagonist walk in the sun and a night phase with extra vampiric powers, including a surface-to-surface teleport called Plane Shift.

Two routes to the same end were demonstrated: go in as a vampire to exploit shadow and flight, or walk the daylight path and talk to figures in a cathedral town. The core premise uses a 22-day countdown and a visible hourglass to push decisions, nudging players to weigh speed against thoroughness. The game rewards slow, careful exploration, but the pace can feel deliberate and potentially laborious if every clue requires a precise interaction.

Blood of the Dawnwalker leans into a bold premise a sun-tolerant vampire hero and a world that treats daylight as a common frontier not a restriction. The mix of Witcher-like tone with new powers and a strong sandbox spine could carve out a distinct niche in a crowded field.

But ambition carries risks. The Witcher lineage is obvious, and the project must prove it can stand on its own without feeling like a remake. The time-pressure mechanic is intriguing if it stays balanced; it could become frustrating if pace and puzzle density collide. Still, the collaboration of veteran designers signals a genuine effort to push RPG design forward.

Highlights

The project is worth watching to see if this bold mix can translate into a compelling player experience.