I applaud the ambition in The Blood of Dawnwalker, but this open-world RPG features too much busywork and not a strong enough vampire fantasy to truly excel

The Blood of Dawnwalker, a vampire-themed open-world RPG developed by Rebel Wolves, was released on September 3, 2026. This game features several ex-Witcher 3 developers, promising an ambitious continuation of its prologue introduction. Coen, the protagonist, embarks on a quest to kill Brencis, the vampire overlord, and save his family, who has been held captive as sacrifices for an upcoming coronation.

However, the game struggles to deliver on its full potential. While the prologue paints a vivid picture of the game's potential, the open-world environment soon feels aimless and filled with repetitive and dull tasks. Players are mostly clearing camps of soldiers and smashing supplies, with little variation in the encounters. Despite the presence of flamboyant and fascinating vampire leaders, their stories are often cut short before they can reach their full potential.

The game shines when players engage in longer, multi-part quests. These quests allow for meaningful interactions with engaging characters, exploration of interesting environments, challenging combat encounters, and rewarding loot. Choices and consequences are emphasized, giving players a sense of impact on the game's world. The 30-day time limit, central to the game, creates a sense of urgency, but also becomes a frustration when leveling up skills requires significant time investment.

Lastly, the vampire powers, while visually impressive, do not fully enhance the gameplay, as they do not significantly impact the game's mechanics or create a compelling moral dilemma.