Rebel Wolves, a studio comprised of former CD Projekt Red developers, unveiled a cinematic trailer for their debut title, The Blood of Dawnwalker. This open-world RPG, reminiscent of The Witcher, features a dark fantasy setting, morally ambiguous choices, and a compelling outcast protagonist. Unique to the genre, it also incorporates Persona-like time management mechanics.

The recently released trailer, a blend of pre-rendered cutscenes and brief gameplay glimpses, highlights the game's Witcher-esque qualities. Initially announced 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 trailer, clocking in at over four and a half minutes, introduces the setting and the Dawnwalkers—powerful, vampire-like beings—along with the protagonist, Coen, who becomes a Dawnwalker early in the game.

Witcher-esque Atmosphere and Moral Choices

The Blood of Dawnwalker's dark fantasy setting, monstrous creatures, open-world exploration, and morally gray choices immediately evoke the Witcher series. Fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Blood and Wine expansion, with its memorable vampires and challenging decisions, will find the premise particularly appealing. A robust morality system allows players to shape Coen's journey, choosing between embracing his Dawnwalker powers to save his family or clinging to his humanity.

A Unique Time Management System

While sharing similarities with The Witcher, The Blood of Dawnwalker also incorporates innovative gameplay mechanics. Inspired by the Persona series, the game features a time management system where each quest consumes a significant amount of in-game time. As stated by Rebel Wolves co-founder and game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, "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 every quest in a single playthrough is impossible, is designed to enhance replayability and ensure each experience feels unique.

Development 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 and will be published by Bandai Namco. While a concrete release date remains unannounced, considering its 2022 development start and AAA budget, a release before 2027 seems unlikely. Rebel Wolves has promised a gameplay reveal in Summer 2025.