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. Intriguingly, it also incorporates Persona-style time management mechanics.

The recently released trailer, a blend of pre-rendered sequences and brief gameplay glimpses, highlights the game's Witcher-esque qualities. Announced initially as Dawnwalker in January 2024, the game was officially revealed as The Blood of Dawnwalker on January 13, 2025, during a livestream hosted by Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco. The over four-and-a-half-minute trailer introduces the world and the Dawnwalkers, powerful beings akin to vampires, along with the protagonist, Coen, who becomes one at the game's outset.

Echoes of The Witcher and a Persona Twist

The Blood of Dawnwalker's dark fantasy backdrop, monstrous creatures, and morally gray choices immediately evoke The Witcher series. The tagline, "the world needs what it fears," further reinforces this comparison. Fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Blood and Wine expansion, with its memorable vampires and challenging decisions, will likely find the premise captivating. The game's morality system allows players to choose whether Coen embraces his Dawnwalker powers to save his family or clings to his humanity.

Beyond its Witcher influences, The Blood of Dawnwalker innovates with Persona-like time management. Every quest consumes time, creating a "narrative sandbox" where players' choices directly impact the story's progression. As Rebel Wolves co-founder and game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz explains, "There are multiple approaches to saving Coen’s family with no clear division between main and side quests; you decide on how you spend the time." Completing all quests in a single playthrough is impossible, encouraging 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 installment in a trilogy. Published by Bandai Namco, the game, with its AAA budget and 2022 development start, is unlikely to launch before 2027. A gameplay reveal is promised for Summer 2025.