Bandai Namco Entertainment, known for iconic franchises like Tekken, Ace Combat, and Tales, recently announced an exciting new venture with their upcoming game, The Blood of Dawnwalker. This project marks a significant departure from the company’s usual style. The Blood of Dawnwalker is a AAA third-person Western RPG set in a dark fantasy world reminiscent of the 14th century, where vampires and other terrifying creatures coexist with humans. What makes this development particularly intriguing is that it’s being handled by Rebel Wolves, a new independent studio formed by former CD Projekt Red developers, the creative minds behind The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.
Although The Blood of Dawnwalker was first teased nearly a year ago, it wasn’t until recently that Bandai Namco and Rebel Wolves finally shared a sneak peek of the game. The reveal trailer, which premiered on January 13, focused heavily on the storyline, offering just a glimpse of the gameplay. Despite the limited gameplay footage, the response has been overwhelmingly positive; a quick scan of the comments on Bandai Namco’s YouTube channel shows fans are buzzing with excitement. However, while the ominous and intense trailer has set high expectations, the gameplay will need to deliver the same level of thrill and depth the trailer promised.
### The Blood of Dawnwalker Needs to Play as Good as It Looks
#### The Plot and Gameplay of The Blood of Dawnwalker Seem Quite Intriguing
In their first trailer, The Blood of Dawnwalker hints at a classic third-person action RPG style. It looks like players will harness magical powers and wield melee weapons, facing formidable boss battles along the way. The narrative appears to be a critical aspect of gameplay, shaping the player’s journey through the game.
The tale follows Coen, a young man navigating life in an Eastern European kingdom ravaged by war and blighted by the Black Death. With the rise of power-hungry vampires demanding a “blood tax” from humans, Coen and his ailing sister, Lunka, have only 30 days to safeguard their family. Adding complexity to Coen’s plight is the revelation of his identity as a Dawnwalker—someone embodying both human and vampire traits, making him capable of withstanding sunlight while possessing vampiric strengths.
#### The Blood of Dawnwalker is the First Big Budget Vampire RPG in Quite Some Time
While there are plenty of action RPGs in the market, few allow players to immerse themselves in the vampire experience, and even fewer excel in gameplay execution. Although titles like Vampyr and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines are celebrated for their themes, they often fall short in the combat and overall gameplay departments. This is where The Blood of Dawnwalker stands poised for success. With significant funding behind it, Rebel Wolves’ newest project has the potential to offer polished and engaging combat mechanics, setting new standards for vampire RPGs.
#### Choice and Consequence Should Play a Big Role in The Game
Coen’s dual nature as a Dawnwalker should not only equip him with extraordinary abilities but also embroil him in moral complexities akin to those in The Witcher 3. The choices he makes—such as whether to align with nefarious factions to locate his family or to sacrifice innocents to sustain himself—can profoundly affect the game’s direction. By emphasizing choices and their consequences, along with moral ambiguity, the game could acquire remarkable narrative depth. If The Blood of Dawnwalker can match the narrative craftsmanship and combat caliber of CD Projekt Red’s masterpieces, it could very well become a standout RPG in recent years.
To add another layer of excitement, the game is set for release on major platforms, utilizing the highly acclaimed Unreal Engine 5, which promises stunning graphics and fluid gameplay. As is fitting for its mature themes, it’s rated M for Mature. With such a rich premise and depth in both story and gameplay, The Blood of Dawnwalker is a title that RPG enthusiasts should definitely keep an eye on as its development unfolds.
