Unveiling The Blood of Dawnwalker: A Gritty RPG with Vampiric Twists

Polish game studio Rebel Wolves is stepping into the spotlight with their latest offering, The Blood of Dawnwalker. Clearly inspired by the legendary The Witcher 3, this open-world vampire RPG wears its influences on its sleeve—but in a way that feels fresh and creative. After diving into the game for about four hours, I can confidently say it’s more than just a simple copycat; Rebel Wolves has poured a wealth of ideas into this debut project.

The game kicks off with a gripping three-hour prologue that sets the grim tone perfectly. Our main character, Coen, begins his journey in a small village alongside his family. This village is overseen by Brencis, a withered figure who, unlike previous tyrants, has a somewhat liberal approach to governance. Under his rule, the villagers are free from “taxes, tithes, or chores,” but there’s a catch: every full moon, they must donate a pint of their blood. Not the most appealing arrangement, right? Coen’s mother, Esme, is clearly distressed about the upcoming bloodletting, and players are introduced to this tension right from the start.

Much like The Witcher 3, the prologue serves as a small-scale glimpse into the broader experience. Players are let loose in a semi-open map, where they encounter various choice-driven scenarios. The immediate task is to fetch some herbal medicine for Coen’s ailing mother from a local herbalist named Anca. But, of course, there are plenty of other stories unfolding in the village, each adding depth to the narrative.

The game introduces an intriguing time management system. Each day is divided into eight segments, with actions and quests consuming those segments. This means players need to make meaningful choices, as attempting to complete every quest in a single day is simply not feasible. It offers a refreshing twist to the typical RPG experience, pushing players to think carefully about their priorities.

As I navigated the village, I found myself drawn into a fishing adventure with Coen’s siblings, which unexpectedly escalated into a confrontation with one of Brencis’ brutish subjects. The dialogue choices here are engaging, allowing for some sass in my responses, and fortunately, I managed to avoid a physical altercation.

Time ticks away, and by the afternoon, I cross paths with a rather unpleasant character named Vasil, who has been harassing my mother. After some tense interactions, I am presented with the choice of beating him up or backing down. The scenario is grim, revealing the harsh realities faced by villagers under vampiric oppression. Coen’s father succinctly captures the grimness of their existence when he states, “It’s knights who yield. Peasants like us just die.”

The narrative is undeniably dark, yet it has moments of levity. Upon finally reaching herbalist Anca, some chemistry sparks between them, leading to a captivating scene that involves a lesson in Latin—historical accuracy intact! Players can choose to delve into different topics, showcasing Rebel Wolves’ attention to detail.

While the visuals and storytelling shine, the combat leaves much to be desired. Coen, as a Dawnwalker, fights in both human and vampire forms, with melee combat echoing the mechanics of games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance. However, the combat can feel a bit lackluster, especially during group encounters where enemies take their turns attacking rather than engaging dynamically.

On the flip side, vampire abilities offer some thrilling options. Coen can consume blood for power-ups and perform some unique moves like dashing and teleporting behind foes. Exploration as a vampire allows for vertical movement and navigating the environment in creative ways, but players must be cautious about their blood intake or risk facing dire consequences.

The world itself is beautifully crafted, brimming with gothic aesthetics, dense forests, and desolate ruins. Rebel Wolves has clearly invested their creative energy into developing this dark realm, and if the game can maintain its current momentum and avoid technical hiccups, it could very well emerge as a standout RPG in the near future.