New RPG Is Like The Witcher Meets Persona

The much-anticipated debut game from Rebel Wolves, "The Blood of Dawnwalker," has finally been unveiled with a stunning cinematic trailer. This open-world RPG, crafted by former CD Projekt Red developers, echoes the dark fantasy and morally gray choices familiar to fans of The Witcher series. The trailer, which premiered during a reveal stream hosted by Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco on January 13, combines pre-rendered visuals with brief gameplay snippets to set the stage for an immersive experience.

"The Blood of Dawnwalker" dives deep into a world where the titular Dawnwalkers, essentially super-powered vampires, dominate the lore. The story centers around Coen, the protagonist who is transformed into a Dawnwalker at the game's outset. Players will navigate a narrative where they must decide whether Coen should embrace his new nature to save his family or hold onto his humanity. This choice is facilitated by a robust morality system, reminiscent of The Witcher's complex decision-making, especially seen in the Blood and Wine expansion.

Echoes of The Witcher

The game's dark fantasy backdrop, filled with monsters and challenging moral dilemmas, undeniably resonates with The Witcher's atmosphere. The tagline "the world needs what it fears" further cements its connection to the beloved series. Fans of The Witcher 3's vampire-centric expansion will find "The Blood of Dawnwalker" particularly appealing, with its focus on player-driven choices and the consequences that follow.

Incorporating Persona's Time Management

Beyond its Witcher-like qualities, "The Blood of Dawnwalker" introduces innovative gameplay elements inspired by the Persona series. A key feature is the time management system, where each quest consumes time, forcing players to prioritize their actions. "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," explained Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, co-founder and game director at Rebel Wolves. This mechanic aims to enhance replayability, as players will not be able to complete every quest and story arc in one playthrough. Rebel Wolves dubs this approach a "narrative sandbox," promising a unique experience with each playthrough.

Currently in development for PC and next-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles, "The Blood of Dawnwalker" is planned as the inaugural title in a trilogy. While a specific release date remains undisclosed, the project's development began in 2022 with a triple-A budget, suggesting a potential launch no earlier than 2027. Fans eager for more can look forward to a gameplay reveal slated for summer 2025.