A model new RPG from some skilled former CD Projekt Pink devs was at all times going to get my consideration – and the eye of numerous different followers of The Witcher and Cyberpunk. However following the sport’s full reveal, I’m much more invested than I assumed I’d be. Dawnwalker is a darkish, vampire-infested RPG with a “narrative sandbox,” unbelievable consideration to element, and a 30-day-and-night time restrict so that you can save your loved ones.
Absolutely titled The Blood of Dawnwalker, you play as Coen, a younger chap who finds himself in a bizarre, half-way state between human and vampire in 14th century japanese Europe. After contracting silver poisoning, he may survive an occasion that will remodel most right into a vampire, however he nonetheless harnesses their energy and bloodlust – however solely after the solar units. This open-world RPG has a day-night cycle, whereby within the day Coen fights as a human together with your conventional affair of Center Ages weaponry, however at night time he has a wealth of vampiric talents to faucet into which may elevate him each in fight and in exploration.
To stability this immense energy, Coen should drink blood to be able to use his talents. The identical is true for any interactions he has with different characters – should you enter a dialog with anybody whereas thirsty for the pink stuff, you might lose management and devour them. “You might find yourself consuming your finest good friend” should you’re not cautious, warns one Insurgent Wolves dev.
The general purpose for Coen is to save lots of his household at a time the place his homeland has been taken over by a clique of highly effective vampires. These bloodsuckers have overthrown the feudal lords of that age, reside of their castles, and have applied a brand new order. They do what they’ll to guard people, however solely to allow them to maintain them “like cattle” and accumulate “blood tax” from them. It’s a very attention-grabbing spin on the hardships of that period.
Apparently, there’s something of a time restrict on every playthrough of Dawnwalker – 30 days, and 30 nights. Nevertheless, there’s not a linear foremost quest so that you can embark on. As a substitute, the world is scattered with quests that each one have varied outcomes that might see you’re taking a step nearer to overthrowing the vampire regime (led by a gnarly man named Brencis) and saving your loved ones. Nevertheless, every quest you full advances time. By not being a real-time expertise, Insurgent Wolves says you continue to have the liberty to discover and simply drink within the stunning open world, however it does imply that you need to handle and plan which quests you embark on.
There may also be characters and teams within the recreation you can align with that may enable you to get additional in the direction of your finish purpose.
So far as gameplay footage goes, at present’s reveal solely reveals a number of flashes, however it does affirm that like The Witcher 3 (and in contrast to CDPR’s most up-to-date recreation, Cyberpunk 2077) it will likely be a third-person RPG. We see a really fast panoramic shot of a darkish metropolis with Coen clinging to a spire, then sliding down the face of a constructing utilizing claws to gradual his descent. This may recommend that some superior climbing or parkour techniques might be in Dawnwalker. We additionally see what seems to be the beginning of a boss battle towards a large mechanical enemy with wings.
A full gameplay reveal for Blood of the Dawnwalker is slated for Summer time 2025, however sadly there’s no launch date or window to talk of simply but. Apparently, Insurgent Wolves already seems to be setting its sights on sequels, describing it because the “first chapter in a brand new role-playing saga,” which is definitely reveals it’s bought some confidence in what it’s constructing.
I can’t lie, with the promise of a lot of narrative freedom, the day-night cycle and 30-day time cap, and the final aesthetics of this RPG, Dawnwalker has simply dashed proper as much as the highest finish of my most anticipated new PC video games checklist. I’m certain I’m not alone in that, so possibly the devs have each proper to really feel that assured.
Till we get to see and listen to extra about it, remember to take a look at a few of the finest open-world video games and finest vampire video games round.
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