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 grey choices, and a compelling outcast protagonist. Intriguingly, it also incorporates Persona-like time management mechanics.

The recently released trailer, a blend of pre-rendered sequences and brief gameplay glimpses, highlights the game's Witcher-esque atmosphere. 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 cinematic trailer introduces the world and the Dawnwalkers—powerful beings akin to vampires—along with the protagonist, Coen, who becomes a Dawnwalker at the game's outset.

Echoes of The Witcher

The dark fantasy setting, monstrous creatures, and the morally ambiguous choices offered within the open-world environment strongly evoke the Witcher series. Fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Blood and Wine expansion, with its vampire storyline and challenging decisions, will likely find The Blood of Dawnwalker's premise captivating. The game's morality system allows players to shape Coen's path, choosing between embracing his Dawnwalker powers to save his family or clinging to his humanity.

A Persona-Inspired Twist

While drawing inspiration from The Witcher, The Blood of Dawnwalker innovates by integrating Persona-style time management. Every quest consumes time, forcing players to prioritize their actions. Game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz explains that there are multiple paths to saving Coen's family, blurring the lines between main and side quests. The impossibility of completing everything in a single playthrough promotes replayability and ensures each experience feels unique—a concept Rebel Wolves terms a "narrative sandbox."

The Blood of Dawnwalker is currently under development for PC and current-generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Planned as the first installment in a trilogy, and published by Bandai Namco, the game lacks a concrete release date, with a 2027 release at the earliest considered plausible. Rebel Wolves promises a gameplay reveal in Summer 2025.