New RPG Is Like The Witcher Meets Persona

Rebel Wolves, a studio comprised of former CD Projekt Red developers, unveiled a cinematic trailer for their debut title, The Blood of Dawnwalker. This open-world RPG, reminiscent of The Witcher, features a dark fantasy setting, morally grey choices, and a compelling outcast protagonist. A unique twist is the inclusion of Persona-like time management mechanics.

The trailer, predominantly pre-rendered, offers a glimpse into gameplay and solidifies the game's Witcher-esque atmosphere. It introduces Coen, the protagonist, who becomes a Dawnwalker—essentially, a powerful vampire—at the game's outset. The trailer showcases the game's world and its inhabitants.

Echoes of The Witcher

The Blood of Dawnwalker's dark fantasy setting, monsters, and morally ambiguous choices immediately evoke the Witcher series. Fans of The Witcher 3's Blood and Wine expansion, with its vampires and challenging decisions, will find much to appreciate. The game's morality system allows players to choose whether Coen embraces his Dawnwalker powers to save his family or clings to his humanity.

A Persona-Inspired Approach

While sharing similarities with The Witcher, The Blood of Dawnwalker introduces innovative gameplay. Its Persona-like time management system adds a layer of strategic depth. Every quest consumes time, forcing players to prioritize their actions. Co-founder and game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz explains that there are multiple paths to saving Coen's family, blurring the lines between main and side quests. This "narrative sandbox" design encourages replayability, ensuring each playthrough offers a unique experience. Completing every quest in a single playthrough is impossible.

Development and Release

Currently in development for PC and current-gen consoles (PlayStation and Xbox), The Blood of Dawnwalker is planned as the first installment in a trilogy and will be published by Bandai Namco. While a release date remains unannounced, given its 2022 development start and AAA budget, a 2027 release seems plausible at the earliest. Rebel Wolves promises a gameplay reveal in Summer 2025.