The year is 1347, you find yourself in the Carpathians, and the mountains are being overrun by vampires known as vrakhiri. Rebel Wolves, a fresh studio formed by former CD Projekt Red employees, has crafted its debut game, The Blood of Dawnwalker, with an ambition to create a setting as vivid and immersive as the Witcher series they once contributed to. They drew their inspiration from 14th century Romania and the enduring vampire myths of the region.

During a recent preview in Los Angeles, we got an extensive first look at Dawnwalker, which features a medieval city named Svartrau as part of its expansive sandbox. Upon hearing the city’s name, many American gaming journalists immediately searched online to determine its authenticity—it’s fictional. Yet, Dawnwalker crafts a convincing illusion of reality, blending magical elements like vrakhiri with a believable medieval environment. When the game’s protagonist, Coen—a half-human, half-vampire known as the Dawnwalker—approaches the imposing Svartrau Cathedral, it stands as authentic as any real medieval cathedral scattered across Europe today. Unlike the Assassin’s Creed series, this game does not intertwine its narrative with historical accuracy but aims to capture the essence of the era within its fantastical setting.

While Svartrau is set in Romania, its architecture draws inspiration from various European cities. Piotr Kucharski, one of the game’s writers, mentioned that the design team incorporated elements from Prague and several German and Italian cities. The intent is for Svartrau to represent a typical medieval city that could exist anywhere in Europe during a vampire invasion in the 14th century.

The vampire rulers of this region are not limited by their historical or geographical origins. In one dramatic cut-scene, the four vrakhiri leaders, who have diverse backgrounds including a Mongol emperor and a crusading knight, assert their dominance over the locals and make clear their territorial claims, setting the stage for their clash with the Dawnwalker.

Governing a city is tricky for vampires during daylight hours. Accordingly, Blood of Dawnwalker operates on a day-night cycle, where time acts almost like a form of currency. Every action, from pursuing quests to engaging in lengthy dialogues, consumes time. As daylight fades, vampires become a common threat throughout the city. Quests and characters appear at specific times, and Coen’s abilities vary with the time of day. He cannot use his vampiric powers during daylight but has access to other magical abilities and faces weaker enemies. However, this also means he’s less potent in the sun.

In one part of the demo, Coen is on a quest for a silver sword once wielded by Mihai, the city’s patron saint, reputed for its effectiveness against vrakhiri. The search leads to Mihai’s crypt where Coen must confront the saint’s undead form. The battle’s difficulty fluctuates with the time of day; during daylight, both combatants are weaker and lack access to their full vampire abilities, whereas at night, they are stronger and more dangerous.

The game not only tracks daily hours but also days themselves. Although not a strict race against time, Coen has a limited number of days to save his family. Lead quest designer Rafał Jankowski assured that the game doesn’t end if you fail to meet this deadline; the narrative continues but diverges to a different ending depending on your actions.

This gameplay structure, with its focus on strategic time management, marks a distinctive approach not commonly seen in other games. According to Kucharski, players can even skip large portions of the game by choosing to operate only during certain times of the day, potentially finishing the game without ever encountering some scenarios.

While we haven’t experienced the combat firsthand, the innovative gameplay mechanics described during the demo place The Blood of Dawnwalker high on our list of anticipated games. More details will emerge as its 2026 release date approaches.

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Avery Sandridge

Avery Sandridge has an unmatched love for storytelling and the screen. From detailed analyses of your favorite shows to behind-the-scenes scoops, Avery offers a fresh and engaging take on everything TV series.