After four hours of hands-on gameplay, The Blood of Dawnwalker is shaping up to be one of 2026's standout RPGs. Developed by Rebel Wolves, led by The Witcher 3 co-director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the game aims to follow in the footsteps of that iconic title while forging its own identity.
A Bleak Prologue Sets the Stage
The preview began with an atmospheric dream sequence featuring protagonist Coen of Laslea, a farmhand and swordmaster in training. The dream reveals his inner fears, tied to the oppressive rule of ancient vampire lord Brencis. Each year, Brencis returns to Laslea for midnight mass, culling weak villagers in a blood-drinking ceremony. The goal of the prologue was to prepare for this ritual, creating a ticking time bomb that permeates every interaction.
Exploring Laslea, I stumbled upon micro-stories and NPC interactions that made the community feel alive. The fear of Brencis' arrival was ever-present in villagers' voices, especially given Coen's ailing mother. This sense of urgency is reinforced by a unique time management system: each important action advances the day toward night, and players can only complete a set number of activities. Unlike many games, this system is clear and intentional, forcing thoughtful decisions without catching players off guard.
Combat with a Bite
Combat in The Blood of Dawnwalker combines traditional swordplay with innovative mechanics. Coen's swordfighting includes parries, blocks, and dodges, but the key differentiator is 'omnidirectional' input: the left analogue stick's tilt during attacks and blocks determines the direction of swings or defenses. This more involved system addresses a major criticism of The Witcher 3. Active abilities tied to cooldowns, deployed via the left shoulder button, add further options.
Vampire-fuelled abilities integrate seamlessly with melee combat. Coen can use claws instead of a sword, suck enemies dry to drain health, and teleport behind foes to catch them off guard. While the prologue limited full exploration of these powers, they show promise. Notably, vampire abilities are only usable at night, providing a clear distinction from daytime sword combat.
Traversal and Exploration
As a Dawnwalker, Coen gains unique traversal skills at night: Planeshifting (walking on walls), Shadow Stepping (teleportation), and Claw-Riding (sliding down walls). These abilities felt fluid, though they were confined to specific areas in the prologue. The contrast between human and vampire movement promises a short readjustment period when transitioning between day and night.
Laslea, though small, offered countless opportunities for exploration. The world is beautifully crafted, and the time management system encourages selective engagement with side activities, such as rescuing a neighbour's brother from wolves or investigating a stolen banner.
A Promising Successor
Coen's transformation into a vampire is handled with drama, setting up stakes for the 50-plus hour campaign. After just a few hours, I felt a clear sense of his character, capabilities, and quest for vengeance against Brencis. Combined with a flexible combat system and a beautiful world, The Blood of Dawnwalker is well-positioned to deliver on its lineage as a Witcher 3 successor.
According to the preview, the game is scheduled to launch on PS5, Xbox, and PC on September 3, 2026. If you're craving a dramatic, fulfilling action RPG with bite, this one has all the makings of an ideal open-world vampire adventure.
