At Gamescom 2025, we got a hands-off look at The Blood of Dawnwalker, an RPG adventure that blends freedom of choice with a tense ticking clock.

Developed by Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz (The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077), this title is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious RPGs on the horizon.

Story and Structure

You play as Coen, cursed to live as both human and vampire. By day, he’s grounded and approachable. When night falls, his vampire side takes over, granting supernatural abilities but changing how the world reacts to him.

The narrative adds urgency through a 30 in-game day countdown to save Coen’s sister. While exploration doesn’t drain time, completing quests and specific actions does. The UI keeps the clock visible at all times, creating constant pressure on your decisions.

Quest Freedom

One of the demo’s highlights was how much freedom players have in tackling quests. There isn’t a single “right” path. You can fight through enemies, uncover clues, or find alternative solutions.

For example, a scenario shown previously involved battling Xanthe. In this new demo, the developers solved it peacefully, proving quests can play out in genuinely different ways across replays—not just small variations.

Combat and Abilities

Combat in The Blood of Dawnwalker avoids the souls-like formula and instead leans into action RPG dueling. Players engage with directional swordplay, parrying and striking from four angles: up, down, left, and right. This system makes each encounter feel like a duel requiring sharp focus.

Coen’s form changes how combat plays out. As a human, he relies on grounded sword techniques and standard weapons. At night, his vampire side takes over, turning battles faster, claw-focused, and more brutal. The shared directional system across both forms keeps the experience consistent, but the duality forces adaptation and variety.

First Impressions

From this hands-off demo, The Blood of Dawnwalker looks like a strong contender for the next big RPG adventure. Its mix of branching quests, meaningful day-night transformations, and the constant countdown create a balance of freedom and tension.

If Rebel Wolves delivers on what they’ve shown, this game could stand alongside the greats in the genre while carving out its own unique identity.

The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to release in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. With its quest for freedom, vampire duality, and tense time limit, this is one RPG to keep firmly on your radar.

For more information, updates, and future reveals, be sure to check the official website and stay tuned for what’s next from Rebel Wolves.