Blood of the Dawnwalker Is a Vampire Action RPG with Breath of the Wild's Neatest Feature

Published: Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 11:16 am

Blood of the Dawnwalker: A Vampire RPG with Open-Ended Gameplay

Rebel Wolves, in collaboration with Bandai Namco, is developing *Blood of the Dawnwalker*, an upcoming action RPG set for release in 2026. The game plunges players into a 14th-century Eastern European valley, where a family of vampires has taken control. Players assume the role of Coen, a peasant granted vampiric powers, tasked with saving his family and the valley from the undead threat.

A unique feature of *Blood of the Dawnwalker* is its open-ended narrative structure, allowing players to confront the game's final boss, the vampire Brencis, from the very beginning. Players are given freedom to explore the game world and pursue objectives in any order they choose. The game incorporates a day-night cycle, with Coen utilizing human abilities during the day and vampiric powers at night. Daytime gameplay focuses on investigation and interaction, while nighttime offers stealth and combat advantages.

The game's combat system involves swordplay, with directional blocking and counterattacks. The developers have responded to player feedback by adding an omnidirectional blocking ability and a zoomed-out camera option. *Blood of the Dawnwalker* draws inspiration from dark fantasy settings like Warhammer and Vampire: The Masquerade, as well as the Dragon Age series. The game features a trio of skill trees, split between daytime-only, nighttime-only, and shared abilities.

The developers emphasize the importance of player feedback and are open to incorporating suggestions. While comparisons to *The Witcher 3* are inevitable, the developers highlight the distinct nature of Coen's journey, which begins with him as an ordinary individual, allowing players to shape his reputation.

BNN's Perspective: *Blood of the Dawnwalker* presents an intriguing premise with its open-ended gameplay and unique day-night mechanics. The developers' responsiveness to player feedback is a positive sign, and the game's dark fantasy setting and combat system could offer a compelling experience for RPG fans. The freedom to approach the game's challenges in any order is a welcome departure from more linear narratives.

Keywords: Blood of the Dawnwalker, Vampire RPG, Action RPG, Open World, Day Night Cycle, Combat, RPG, Rebel Wolves, Bandai Namco, 2026, Warhammer, The Witcher, Gameplay, Vampires, Eastern Europe, Carpathian Mountains, Coen.

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