I applaud the ambition in The Blood of Dawnwalker, but this open-world RPG features too much busywork and not a strong enough vampire fantasy to truly excel

When I previewed The Blood of Dawnwalker , its prologue was an impressive snapshot of what Rebel Wolves was hoping to achieve with its vampiric open-world role-playing game (RPG).

It was a tight and tense introduction to a game that encourages you to spend your time wisely, live with the consequences of your actions, and balance Coen’s newly acquired Vrakhir abilities with the hope of maintaining his humanity.

Now, after sinking dozens more hours into the full release, this team that includes several ex- Witcher 3 developers hasn’t quite made that formative game’s spiritual successor.

However, I can’t fault the ambition found in the studio’s debut release — even if not every idea is fully realised and a few elements lack polish.

Review info Platform reviewed: PS5 Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Release date: September 3, 2026 Ever since playing through that exciting opening, which sees Coen’s village razed and his family held captive to be used as sacrifices in an upcoming coronation for the valley’s vampire overlord, Brencis, I've been desperate to get back in and see what awaited in the rest of the game.

So, it’s strange that when you first hit the open world, the game starts to feel a little aimless.

Your main goal may be to kill Brencis and save your family, but the direct approach is almost certainly going to lead to your death.

Instead, it’s smarter to take the time to destabilise Brencis’ reign by going after his generals and increasing your power for the upcoming showdown.

No rest for the wicked (Image credit: Bandai Namco / Rebel Wolves) Unfortunately, that means engaging with a lot of dull and fairly repetitive tasks dotted around the map, mostly clearing camps of soldiers and smashing up boxes of supplies.

The set dressing changes a little depending on which vampire lieutenant you’re going after (it may be blood supplies for Ambrus or slivovitz distilleries with Bakir), but you’re ultimately going through the same motions.

And I was surprised at how little some of the vampire leaders actually feature in the story while you’re being such a thorn in their side.

Most development happens off-screen, while notes are found on soldiers bemoaning Coen’s actions and edicts are issued as you become more notorious.

There isn’t as much time given to interacting with these villains before an inevitable confrontation.

And that’s a shame, because when you do come face-to-face with these flamboyant, furious, and fascinating characters, they end up being killed off just as they’re starting to get interesting. (Image credit: Bandai Namco / Rebel Wolves) I did find that The Blood of Dawnwalker found its feet when you dig into one of its many lengthier multi-part quests.