During the Xbox Games Showcase, we got our first look at The Blood of Dawnwalker‘s gameplay trailer. Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, director at Rebel Wolves studio, provided some valuable details about the game on the Microsoft blog. This is a sneak peek into what we can expect from the upcoming game presentation.
Narrative sandbox
The game narrates the tale of Coen, who finds himself assuming the role of a twilight wanderer – a being who is human during daylight and a vampire at night. Straddling two realms, Coen endeavors to protect those dear to him, willing to harness a power he once shunned.
In this game, both characters are designed to be equally captivating, entertaining, and crucial to the gameplay experience. Each one will possess distinct abilities that will shape the world and storyline differently. The developers aim to provide players with a significant amount of control over the narrative, resulting in what they call a “narrative sandbox.” This essentially means there’s a clear objective, but multiple paths can be taken to reach it.
Essentially, it’s up to us to determine the fate of the Coen family. Following the introduction, the game offers us a chance to not only traverse its world, but also shape its narrative as well.
In the game, certain players may emphasize their character’s vampire traits over their humanity, while others might choose to stay human. The game offers an opportunity to ally with the human resistance, but you could potentially bypass this alliance altogether, such as if you immediately pursue the main boss, Brencis. However, we can start doing it right from the beginning, although it may not be straightforward or easy at that stage.
In simpler terms, this “open, player-driven” method is often referred to as a “narrative playground.” Essentially, it’s the fundamental ideology guiding the way we create and tell our stories.
Combat
In addition, Tomaszkiewicz provided some insight into the battles depicted in “The Blood of Dawnwalker“. Since Coen has spent years learning swordsmanship under his father’s tutelage, players won’t be starting as an amateur. During combat development, the team took inspiration from medieval fighting styles and even had experienced fencers among their members. This ensures that the fight sequences will appear realistic yet engaging and enjoyable for players.
Concerning the mystical, it will be deep and grounded, linked to “blood, heat, and wind, which appears to throb and resonate.” To invoke a spell, Coen needs to figuratively expose himself to the occult, inscribing symbols and essentially transforming into a vessel for magic. Yet, exercising these abilities involves a sacrifice, specifically his humanity.
In this scenario, when Coen’s health decreases, there’s a possibility that he might lose self-control over his vampiric traits. This could potentially result in accidental sapping of life energy from non-dependent characters, including those who play significant roles in the overall storyline.
On June 21st at 12:00 PM Pacific Time, we’ll get further insights into the game as a special stream unfolds. This event is expected to last approximately 45 minutes, with the highlight being glimpses of real gameplay footage.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is heading to PC, PS5, and XSX/S. The game will be released in 2026.
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2025-06-11 03:03