Gamers eagerly awaiting news on The Witcher 4 may want to turn their attention to an alternative RPG from former CD Projekt RED developers, which has just received a release date. The Blood of the Dawnwalker, an open-world fantasy game set in 14th century Europe, is being developed by Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by several veterans of CD Projekt RED, the team behind The Witcher 3. Among them is director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, who oversaw that beloved RPG and its two expansions.
Story and Protagonist
Players take on the role of Coen, a mutated monster slayer turned into a vampire early in the story. Imbued with supernatural powers, he sets out on a quest to save his family, who have been captured by the vampiric family that wronged him. The game emphasizes player-led storytelling, allowing the narrative to unfold based on the player's actions. Even failing a mission, killing every NPC, or ignoring quests altogether feeds into the world and affects the story's outcome.
Innovative Time Mechanic
In addition to standard gameplay elements like combat and dialogue trees, Blood of the Dawnwalker introduces a unique time-passing mechanic. Every action taken in the game advances time by a certain amount, indicated by a progress bar at the top of the screen. Coen has just 30 days to prepare to save his family, and players can choose to do as much or as little as they like with this time. In theory, this encourages deliberate decision-making, as players must prioritize missions and activities that best serve their quest.
During a gameplay showcase broadcast last night, new footage was revealed, along with the official release date. The Blood of the Dawnwalker is launching on September 3, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
