It’s not often that a brand-new RPG from a new studio arrives already carrying this much weight of expectation, but then again Rebel Wolves isn’t exactly an untested name. With veterans from CD Projekt Red among its core team, the developers have set their sights on an ambitious dark fantasy tale that merges historical settings with supernatural mythology. At Gamescom we had the chance to take a closer look at their upcoming title The Blood of Dawnwalker, published by Bandai Namco, and it’s shaping up to be one of the more intriguing new role-playing experiences on the horizon.
What we know
The Blood of Dawnwalker is set in 14th-century Europe, against the backdrop of plague, war, and social upheaval. In this climate of fear and despair, vampires seize the chance to step out of the shadows and take control, forever changing the course of history. Players take on the role of Coen, a young man unwillingly turned into a “Dawnwalker” – a being that straddles the line between humanity and the cursed power of the night. The game revolves around difficult choices: do you cling to your humanity while protecting your family, or embrace your vampiric abilities and the power that comes with them?
Rebel Wolves is presenting the game as an expansive open-world RPG powered by Unreal Engine 5. Its design is built around branching narratives and meaningful decision-making, where both action and inaction shape the world around you. Time constantly moves forward, forcing players to make sacrifices as not every questline can be pursued before events catch up with them. Gameplay is also defined by the duality of day and night: in daylight, Coen fights with swordplay and magic, while at night his vampiric form grants him claws, supernatural strength, and agility. Alongside its main quest, the world is filled with medieval towns, swamps, ruins, and mountains to explore, each holding mysteries and secrets to uncover.
What we saw
At Gamescom we attended a hands-off presentation from Rebel Wolves, where a polished build of the game was shown to the press. The demo included narrative moments, cutscenes, and combat encounters, giving us a sense of both the atmosphere and the mechanics that will underpin the full experience.
What we thought
What stood out immediately was the strong sense of atmosphere. Rebel Wolves leans heavily into gothic storytelling, but they also ground it in a very tangible medieval setting. The opening premise – placing vampiric myth inside the chaos of plague-ridden Europe – feels like a natural fit, and the cinematic cutscenes we saw were rich with dramatic flair. The voice acting and direction appeared to enhance this sense of immersion, while the orchestral score carried clear influences from classic gothic cinema, underscoring the blend of historical grit and supernatural horror.
On the gameplay side, there’s an intriguing duality that should set The Blood of Dawnwalker apart from other fantasy RPGs. The split between day and night not only changes Coen’s abilities but also alters how players can approach encounters and quests. During the day, the focus on swords and magic may appeal to fans of more traditional fantasy RPG combat, while the night unleashes a more aggressive, almost predatory playstyle. This promises variety, but we’re also curious whether the balance between both sides will feel natural or if one form will end up being more dominant in practice.
The time-driven structure is another bold move. Having the world progress regardless of your actions adds a sense of urgency, but it may also frustrate players who like to fully explore everything an RPG has to offer. On the other hand, it could lead to a more organic and personal experience, where each playthrough reflects the consequences of your priorities and sacrifices. If handled well, this could be one of the game’s defining strengths, encouraging multiple runs and making choices feel genuinely weighty.
Visually, the game already looks striking, with richly detailed environments and strong character designs powered by Unreal Engine 5. What we saw at Gamescom suggested that Rebel Wolves are leveraging their expertise to create a world that feels both lived-in and haunting. With the pedigree of its development team and the ambitious scope of its mechanics, The Blood of Dawnwalker is one to watch – though we’ll need hands-on time before we know how well its promising ideas come together.
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