RPG Fusing Witcher and Persona Powers Captivates

Rebel Wolves, a studio comprised of former CD Projekt Red developers, unveiled a cinematic trailer for their debut title, The Blood of Dawnwalker. This open-world RPG, reminiscent of The Witcher, features a dark fantasy setting, morally grey choices, and a compelling outcast protagonist. Unique to the game, however, is its incorporation of Persona-like time management mechanics.

The trailer, primarily pre-rendered cinematic footage with brief gameplay glimpses, highlights the game's Witcher-esque qualities. Initially announced as Dawnwalker in January 2024, the game was officially revealed as The Blood of Dawnwalker on January 13, 2025, during a stream hosted by Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco. The extended trailer introduces Coen, the protagonist, who becomes a Dawnwalker (essentially, powerful vampires) at the game's outset.

Echoes of The Witcher, a Twist from Persona

The Blood of Dawnwalker's dark fantasy backdrop, monstrous creatures, and morally ambiguous choices immediately evoke the Witcher franchise. Fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's "Blood and Wine" expansion, with its vampires and challenging decisions, will find the premise particularly appealing. The game's morality system allows Coen to either embrace his Dawnwalker nature to save his family or hold onto his humanity.

Beyond the Witcher similarities, The Blood of Dawnwalker innovates with Persona-style time management. Quest completion requires time investment, with no clear distinction between main and side quests. As co-founder and game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz explains, players decide how to allocate their time, impacting the narrative. This "narrative sandbox" approach, where completing all quests in one playthrough is impossible, fosters replayability and unique experiences.

Currently in development for PC and current-gen consoles (PlayStation and Xbox), The Blood of Dawnwalker is planned as the first in a trilogy and will be published by Bandai Namco. While a release date remains unannounced, given its 2022 development start and AAA budget, a 2027 release or later is anticipated. A gameplay reveal is promised for Summer 2025.