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 cutscenes and brief gameplay glimpses, highlights the game's Witcher-esque qualities. Announced as Dawnwalker in January 2024, the game was officially revealed as The Blood of Dawnwalker on January 13th, 2025, with a four-and-a-half-minute cinematic trailer showcasing the setting and introducing Coen, the protagonist who becomes a Dawnwalker – essentially, a powerful vampire – at the game's outset.

Echoes of The Witcher, a Twist from Persona

The Blood of Dawnwalker undeniably evokes the atmosphere of The Witcher series with its dark fantasy world, monstrous creatures, and morally complex choices. The tagline, "the world needs what it fears," further emphasizes this resemblance. Fans of The Witcher 3's Blood and Wine expansion, with its vampire elements and challenging decisions, will find the premise particularly appealing. The game's morality system allows players to choose whether Coen embraces his Dawnwalker powers to save his family or clings to his humanity.

However, The Blood of Dawnwalker also innovates. Its Persona-inspired time management system adds a unique layer to the open-world RPG formula. Every quest consumes time, forcing players to prioritize their actions. 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." This "narrative sandbox" approach, where completing everything in one playthrough is impossible, is designed to enhance replayability and ensure each experience feels distinct.

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 and will be published by Bandai Namco. While a release date remains unannounced, given its 2022 development start and AAA budget, a 2027 release or later seems plausible. Rebel Wolves promises a gameplay reveal in Summer 2025.