Rebel Wolves' upcoming RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker, directed by former The Witcher 3 lead Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, ditches the traditional main quest structure. Players guide protagonist Coen, a half-vampire half-human, through a 14th-century Carpathian Mountains setting to save his family within 30 days and nights. The game emphasizes player freedom, time-based mechanics, and reactive world elements.
Development Background
Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, who directed The Witcher 3 at CD Projekt Red, now leads Rebel Wolves as the director of The Blood of Dawnwalker. The studio aims to innovate within the RPG genre by offering more freedom akin to pen-and-paper RPGs and classic titles like the early Fallout games. Unveiled earlier this year, the game draws from Tomaszkiewicz's past experience but carves a distinct niche with its sandbox approach and lack of a linear main storyline.
Gameplay Mechanics
Set in a valley of the Carpathian Mountains during the 14th century, players control Coen, whose abilities shift with the day-night cycle. By day, as a human, Coen can interact with villagers, solve puzzles, and use a sword in combat. At night, his vampire side emerges, allowing wall-climbing, rooftop stealth, and blood-drinking for survival. The core objective is to rescue Coen's family before time runs out, but every major action incurs a time cost, advancing only at clearly indicated moments to avoid restricting exploration.
A reputation system tracks player impact on the region, prompting reactions from the antagonist, such as shop closures or assassin deployments. Tomaszkiewicz emphasized, "We want to bring video games closer to pen-and-paper RPGs and give you the freedom to experience what you want to experience." Unlike The Witcher 3's guided narrative, this title lets players build their path through optional quests and decisions.
Release and Production Details
Developed by a team of 155, comparable to The Witcher 3's core group, the game promises 40-50 hours for a single playthrough, with replayability for missed content. Self-funded after selling a quarter stake to NetEase, it receives marketing support from Bandai Namco. The Blood of Dawnwalker targets PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a release planned for next year.