New RPG Is Like The Witcher Meets Persona

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 ambiguous 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 interspersed with brief gameplay glimpses, highlights the game's Witcher-esque themes. Initially announced as Dawnwalker in January 2024, the game was officially revealed as The Blood of Dawnwalker on January 13th, 2025, during a livestream hosted by Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco. The extended cinematic trailer (over four and a half minutes) introduces the setting and the Dawnwalkers—powerful, vampire-like beings—alongside the protagonist, Coen, who becomes a Dawnwalker at the game's outset.

Echoes of The Witcher

The dark fantasy setting, monstrous creatures, morally gray choices, and the tagline "the world needs what it fears" instantly evoke the Witcher series. Fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Blood and Wine expansion, with its vampires and challenging decisions, will likely find The Blood of Dawnwalker's premise intriguing. The game's emphasis on player agency is reflected in its morality system, allowing Coen to embrace his Dawnwalker nature to save his family or cling to his humanity.

A Persona-Inspired Twist

Beyond its Witcher influences, The Blood of Dawnwalker innovates with Persona-inspired time management. Every quest consumes time, creating a "narrative sandbox" where players must prioritize their actions. As co-founder and game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz explains, there are multiple paths to saving Coen's family, blurring the lines between main and side quests. Completing everything in a single playthrough is impossible, fostering replayability and unique experiences.

Development and Release

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