The Blood of Dawnwalker, an intriguing new vampire RPG developed by a team of former CD Projekt Red developers, has recently captured attention with its latest gameplay trailer. This new footage, following an initial reveal in June, showcases a game that, while reminiscent of The Witcher 3, promises a unique experience that diverges from its predecessor.
Gameplay Insights
The trailer opens with a familiar ambiance, evoking the aesthetics of The Witcher series. Elements such as the user interface, musical score, and voice acting create a sense of nostalgia, while the medieval cityscape bears a striking resemblance to Novigrad. The protagonist, Coen, a junior vampire cadet, sports a messy high ponytail akin to Geralt’s, albeit in a brunette shade. Interestingly, Coen shares a name with a notable witcher character from the books, adding layers to his narrative.
Combat mechanics in Dawnwalker are visually appealing and fluid, featuring a parry system reminiscent of Sekiro, which is sure to please action RPG enthusiasts. The inclusion of dismemberment kills adds an extra layer of excitement. However, what truly caught my attention was the dynamic nature of gameplay, particularly how Coen navigates the environment based on the time of day.
Coen’s abilities shift dramatically between day and night. During daylight hours, he wields swords and hexes, while at night, he taps into his claws and vampire powers. This time progression resembles the mechanics seen in titles like Disco Elysium and Pentiment, where critical dialogue and quest completions drive the narrative forward rather than relying on a real-time clock. Rebel Wolves has promised a variety of quest paths that change depending on whether it is day or night, offering players a multitude of choices and outcomes.
Exploration and Choices
In a departure from traditional RPG mechanics, Coen opts for stealth and agility over direct confrontation. Utilizing his wall-walking ability and a blink-like maneuver reminiscent of Dishonored, he ascends to the rooftops, entering the cathedral from above. This approach allows him to bypass a climactic boss fight showcased in earlier footage, illustrating the game’s flexible design. Notably, the elder vampire antagonist can be eliminated early, potentially altering the course of the story and the presence of key characters in subsequent quests.
This level of reactivity within the game world is both impressive and exhilarating. Players may find themselves able to skip significant subplots, eliminate major NPCs prematurely, and approach quests through various strategies. Such design elements are among the most compelling features of RPGs, and if Rebel Wolves can maintain this expansive framework throughout the game, The Blood of Dawnwalker has the potential to become a standout title in the genre.
As anticipation builds, players can add The Blood of Dawnwalker to their Steam wishlists, with a full release expected sometime next year.
