The Studio Behind the Dream

This game carries serious pedigree. The Blood of Dawnwalker is led by former The Witcher 3 game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz and The Witcher 3 / Cyberpunk 2077 quest director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz — a passion project from veteran developers who understand what makes RPGs truly immersive. 

After years at CD Projekt RED shaping some of the most beloved games in history, these veterans left to build something entirely their own — and the result is already turning heads across the entire industry.

Welcome to Vale Sangora: A World Consumed by Plague and Darkness

The game is set in an alternative 14th century, where feudal lords have been overthrown by a powerful clan of vampires — a moment of weakness born from the Black Death itself. 

Vampires now reside in the former lords' castles, ruling over the valley, and it's your job to save your family from them.  The setting — the Sangora Valley in the Carpathian Mountains  — is rendered with breathtaking detail in Unreal Engine 5, with Eastern European architecture, plague-ravaged villages, and ancient vampire strongholds creating one of the most atmospheric game worlds in recent memory.

Coen: Human by Day, Vampire by Night

You play as Coen, the game's protagonist and the titular Dawnwalker. While the exact circumstances remain a mystery, an attempt to turn Coen into a vampire fails — as a result, he exists between two worlds: human during the day, vampire at night.

This duality isn't just cosmetic — it completely transforms how the game plays.

By day, Coen can wield both a sword and use magical runes in the form of bloody scars etched on his skin. However, at night, Coen embraces his supernatural instincts, unlocking an entirely new powerset — including lethal vampiric claws and Shadowstep, a skill that allows him to swiftly navigate across rooftops. 

The Narrative Sandbox: Time Is Your Most Precious Resource

The most revolutionary aspect of The Blood of Dawnwalker is its approach to storytelling — and it's unlike anything seen in the RPG genre before.

Once the prologue concludes, you have 30 days and nights to rescue Coen's family from Brencis, a centuries-old vampire and former Roman senator, and his inner circle. Your family's days are numbered, and every time you take on a quest, time moves forward. Choose carefully whom to help and whom to leave behind — you will not have time for everyone. 

Experience and shape the plot the way you want — save your family, or swear revenge on your sire and destroy everyone standing in your way. Rush in headfirst or risk taking time to prepare. Go alone or forge unlikely alliances. Every decision carries weight, and inaction itself can change the world around you.

Combat: Tactical, Cinematic, and Deeply Satisfying

The Blood of Dawnwalker uses a directional combat system designed to bring cinematic intensity and tactical challenge to every confrontation. Players must study enemy movements, block precisely, and time counterattacks to execute seamless, strategic takedowns. 

The game features directional blocking, in which players must select one of four directions to attack or parry. As they deal damage, they earn activation charges, which can be used to deploy Hex magic or perform an execution move — both dealing devastating damage to enemies. 

Even the vampiric bloodlust is woven into the mechanics — Coen's relentless hunger intensifies at night, and players can satisfy it in various ways: drinking the blood of defeated foes, innocent villagers, or animals, or by using special blood vials. 

A World Designed for Multiple Playthroughs

Dawnwalker is described as a "narrative sandbox" and is designed for multiple playthroughs, as the open-world content of side quests and exploration is apparently too large to fit into a single playthrough. 

Most quests can be approached during either day or night, creating significantly different experiences — with each form offering distinct skills and abilities.  The same quest, played at noon versus midnight, can unfold in completely different ways with entirely different consequences.

When Can You Play It?

The Blood of Dawnwalker is scheduled to release for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S in 2026. A specific release date has yet to be confirmed, but with the game described as being in a polished pre-beta state, the community is buzzing with anticipation for an announcement very soon.

Nintendo Switch is not on the list — the game will not be released on Nintendo Switch. 

Conclusion

The Blood of Dawnwalker is more than just another vampire game. It's a bold vision from some of the most talented RPG developers alive — a dark, time-pressured, morally complex adventure that dares to reinvent how open-world storytelling works. If it delivers on even half of its promise, it could be one of the most important RPGs of this decade.

The night is coming. Coen is ready. Are you?

Human by day. Vampire by night. Hero or monster — that's your choice.