Vampire RPGs have had a rough history in gaming, but Rebel Wolves’ debut title The Blood of Dawnwalker is finally giving bloodsuckers their moment in the sun—figuratively spEaking, of course. According to Dexerto’s review, this dark fantasy adventure overcomes a few stumbles to deliver an experience that RPG enthusiasts, particularly fans of The Witcher 3, absolutely should not miss.
Familiar DNA With a Fresh Bite
It’s no coincidence that The Blood of Dawnwalker feels like it belongs in the same lineage as CD Projekt Red’s legendary RPG. Rebel Wolves was founded by former Witcher 3 developers, and their experience shows in nearly every corner of the game. From the moody, grounded take on dark fantasy to the narrative-first design philosophy, the studio’s pedigree shines through.
Set in a plague-ravaged medieval valley, the game follows Coen, a young man transformed into a Dawnwalker—a being caught between humanity and vampirism. This central premise drives the game’s most compelling hook: the ability to experience the world differently depending on whether you walk it as a human by day or as a creature of the night after sundown.
A Race Against the Clock
What sets The Blood of Dawnwalker apart from so many of its open-world peers is its time pressure mechanic. Rather than letting you casually clear map markers for a hundred hours, the game imposes a ticking countdown that forces meaningful choices. Every quest you pursue and every hour you waste has weight, creating a tension that most sprawling RPGs simply never achieve. Dexerto’s review highlights this structure as one of the game’s strongest assets, rewarding replay value and genuine decision-making over checklist completionism.
Where the Game Stumbles
That said, the review doesn’t hand out universal praise. Two criticisms stand out: repetition and underwhelming combat.
Combat That Doesn’t Quite Sink Its Teeth In
While swordplay and vampire powers offer some satisfying moments, the combat system reportedly lacks the polish and depth expected from a studio with this level of RPG experience. Encounters can grow repetitive over the course of the campaign, and the systems never quite reach the heights of the genre’s best.
The repetition issue extends beyond fights as well, with certain mission structures and activities recycling familiar patterns a bit too often. For players who thrive on mechanical variety, these rough edges may test their patience.
Why It’s Still a Must-Play
Here’s the thing about The Blood of Dawnwalker: its weaknesses are overshadowed by what it gets right. Atmosphere, storytelling, characters, and player agency are the pillars of great RPGs, and Rebel Wolves nails those fundamentals. When a game makes you genuinely care about its world and the people trapped in it, forgivable combat starts to matter a lot less.
For Witcher 3 veterans hungry for that same blend of grim fairy-tale darkness, morally gray choices, and rich worldbuilding, this is about as close as it gets without Geralt himself. And as the first chapter in a planned saga, it lays an exciting foundation for whatever Rebel Wolves crafts next.
Verdict: A Promising Debut Worth Your Time
Dexerto’s bottom line is clear: imperfect combat and occasional repetition aside, The Blood of Dawnwalker is a vampire adventure every RPG fan needs to play. In a year crowded with big-budget releases, this dark horse stands out as one of the more memorable role-playing experiences—and proof that the ex-CDPR talent didn’t lose their touch when they left the nest.
Looking to pick it up? You can grab game codes, wallet top-ups, and gift cards at TURGAME.com to jump into the valley before the sun rises on your 30 days.
Source: Dexerto – The Blood of Dawnwalker review: A must-play RPG for Witcher 3 fans
Source: Dexerto