Following its big reveal at the Xbox Game Showcase 2025, Rebel Wolves has finally given fans a closer look at The Blood of Dawnwalker with an in-depth, 21-minute gameplay presentation. Let’s break down what we learned from this highly anticipated dark fantasy RPG!

First Look at Gameplay: A New Dark Fantasy from Rebel Wolves

The Blood of Dawnwalker (BoD) is a gritty action RPG set in a plague-ridden 14th-century Europe, developed by Rebel Wolves — a studio founded by veterans from CD Projekt Red, including The Witcher 3 Director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz. With Bandai Namco onboard as publisher, BoD promises to deliver a mature, choice-driven narrative steeped in vampiric lore.

Players follow Coen, a young man torn between his humanity and the darkness that tempts him. Expect tough choices, branching consequences, and an immersive open world when the game launches in 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist and set an alert for the best deals at launch!

New Gameplay Details from the 21-Minute Showcase

Revealed on June 21st, the new gameplay video dives deep into BoD’s mechanics and world. Design Director Daniel Sadowski walked fans through an early mid-game quest, highlighting the RPG’s DNA — a mix of The Witcher 3 vibes and fresh, brutal combat.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Player-Driven Story: Choices truly matter. Coen’s mission to rescue his family can unfold in many ways, with consequences that ripple through the world.

• Consequences & Branching Paths: Every decision affects conflicts, dialogue options, and quest outcomes.

• Combat & Skill Trees: Combat combines directional attacks with active skills. Players can build Human, Vampiric, or Hybrid skill sets.

• Day-Night System: Abilities change depending on the time of day, with enhanced vampiric powers at night. Some quests vary based on when you tackle them.

The showcase impressed many RPG fans, praising its dark atmosphere and meaningful choices. However, some pointed out that a few animations need polishing and the camera feels restrictive at times.

Final Thoughts

So far, The Blood of Dawnwalker is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing RPGs on the horizon, blending a rich dark fantasy setting with player agency and challenging combat. Facing terrifying foes like the vampire Xanthe won’t be easy — but for fans of mature, story-heavy adventures, this could be one to watch.