Blood of Dawnwalker was one of the major titles during the Future Games Show at Gamescom 2025, with Rebel Wolf (a studio founded by former Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 developers) showing off a new deep dive video into their upcoming vampire RPG. Launching in 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, the game promises a mix of dark fantasy, a story where choices matter, and a ton of action.
You can watch the deep dive here:
A Tale of Duality
You will step into the role of Coen, a man cursed into becoming a “Dawnwalker” after a violent encounter with vampire lord Brencis, who has abducted his family. By day, Coen is human, fighting with a sword and runic dark magic. The runes are carved in his body. By night, he transforms into a vampire. He is then faster, stronger, and capable of supernatural actions like:
- Shadow Step: a short-range teleport useful for both combat and climbing rooftops.
- Plane Shift: defying gravity to walk on walls and ceilings.
This duality is not just cosmetic. It runs through the entire game. Bosses, quests, and exploration all change depending on if you face them as human or vampire.
Time as a “Currency”
The central mechanic of Blood of Dawnwalker is its time system. You have 30 in-game days to rescue Coen’s family. Time only moves forward when you make key decisions or complete quests. Free exploration does not advance the clock. This lets you explore without being pressed by time.
Every major action has a time cost that is shown before you commit, forcing you to carefully balance progress and risk. It is important to know that, if you fail or simply choose not to save your family, the story continues with those consequences being registered. It is up to you to discover what happens if you make that choice!
Choices That Change the Story
The game has a sandbox-style narrative design, meaning action and inaction both carry weight. NPCs can die, entire questlines can change, and Coen’s journey can be modified dramatically. There is no single “correct” path. The developers encourage experimentation.
As an example to illustrate this flexibility:
- At night (vampire): leap across cathedral rooftops, break in, and uncover clues about a hidden tomb.
- During the day (human): question NPCS and investigate a terrible mystery at a local almshouse before learning the tomb’s secrets.
Both paths lead to the same goal but with vastly different gameplay and story.
Combat and Gameplay Flow
Combat is described as fluid, fast, and responsive, mixing tactical sword gameplay with supernatural powers.
- Human form: strategic sword combat, gadgets, and runic spells.
- Vampire form: visceral, aggressive action with blood-fueled abilities.
You can also feed as a vampire, creating a moral choice about whom to target, or if you should seek non-lethal alternatives.
World of Vale Sangora
Set in a supernatural version of 14th-century Europe, the game takes place in the fictional valley of Vale Sangora. The size should be similar to The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine‘s Toussaint region. It features:
- Multiple villages and points of interest.
- The town of Svartrau, with cathedrals, markets, and a ton of secrets to uncover.
- A “living world” full of characters whose fates are shaped by your choices.
Rebel Wolf also confirmed the camera has been changed since June’s gameplay showcase, allowing for closer or more zoomed-out perspectives during combat and exploration based on player feedback.
RPG Freedom and Experimentation
The developers really give you the choice to do what you want. For example, you can attempt to storm Brencis’ castle and finish the main quest almost immediately, similar to Breath of the Wild’s approach with Ganon. It is extremely difficult, but the option exists for those who want to try.
The structure encourages replayability as well, since no run will be the same.
With a mix of narrative freedom, dual human/vampire gameplay, and time-as-currency system, Blood of Dawnwalker is definitely going to be one of the most ambitious RPGs next year. It offers a story where every decision, or lack of one, reshapes your journey.
Keep an eye on our latest news, we will keep you updated as soon as an official release date is announced!
