New RPG Is Like The Witcher Meets Persona

Rebel Wolves Unveils Cinematic Trailer for "The Blood of Dawnwalker"

Former CD Projekt Red developers at Rebel Wolves have treated fans to a cinematic reveal trailer for their debut title, The Blood of Dawnwalker. This open-world RPG, steeped in dark fantasy, immediately evokes comparisons to The Witcher franchise. The game features a morally ambiguous protagonist, compelling choices, and a unique time management system reminiscent of Persona.

The reveal trailer, predominantly pre-rendered cinematic footage interspersed with brief gameplay glimpses, highlights the game's Witcher-esque atmosphere. Announced initially as Dawnwalker in January 2024, the game was officially revealed as The Blood of Dawnwalker on January 13, 2025, via a livestream hosted by Rebel Wolves and publisher Bandai Namco. The over four-and-a-half-minute trailer introduces the setting and the Dawnwalkers—powerful beings akin to enhanced vampires—along with the protagonist, Coen, who becomes a Dawnwalker at the game's outset.

A Strong Witcher Influence

The dark fantasy setting, monstrous creatures, and the open-world RPG structure with morally gray choices—further emphasized by the tagline "the world needs what it fears"—immediately draw parallels to The Witcher. Fans who appreciated the vampire-centric narrative and challenging decisions in The Witcher 3's Blood and Wine expansion will find The Blood of Dawnwalker's premise particularly intriguing. 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 Twist

While echoing The Witcher, The Blood of Dawnwalker innovates with its time management mechanics, similar to those found in Persona games. Each quest consumes in-game time, creating a "narrative sandbox" where players' choices directly impact the story's progression. According to Rebel Wolves co-founder and game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, "There are multiple approaches to saving Coen’s family with no clear division between main and side quests; you decide on how you spend the time." This design choice promotes replayability, ensuring each playthrough offers a unique experience. Completing all quests in a single playthrough is impossible.

Development and Release

Currently under development for PC and current-generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles, The Blood of Dawnwalker is planned as the first installment in a trilogy. Published by Bandai Namco, the game, which entered development in 2022 with a AAA budget, is not expected to launch before 2027. Rebel Wolves has promised a gameplay reveal trailer in Summer 2025.