The Blood of Dawnwalker Gameplay Shows Coen Before the Vampire Curse

Rebel Wolves has kicked off a month of exclusive coverage by releasing eight minutes of raw gameplay from their upcoming dark fantasy RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker. The footage focuses entirely on the prologue phase of the game, offering a clear look at how the protagonist, Coen, fights and explores before acquiring the vampirism that defines the main campaign.

By centering on Coen’s human origins, the walkthrough highlights exploration pacing and basic combat mechanics without the supernatural elements teased in earlier promotional materials.

The Quest for Lazar

The gameplay sequence shows a quest titled “Deep Down.” In this prologue mission, a young Coen—who has not yet contracted the vampire curse—ventures into a cavernous underground ruin. His objective is to locate Lazar, a missing local villager.

Unlike the high-flying mobility expected from Coen’s later vampire powers and wolf form, this human-era exploration is grounded and tense. Coen relies on a standard torch to light his path through the dark ruins, navigating crumbling stone walkways and drop-offs. The footage shows him using basic steel and silver sword strikes against underground threats, indicating that even early-game human combat requires careful positioning and blocking.

Reconstructing Lore via Murals

A major highlight of the walkthrough is the debut of the game’s Investigation System. When Coen encounters an ancient stone mural depicting forgotten heroes, the player can examine specific sections of the artwork.

Doing so reconstructs historical lore and reveals markers pointing to hidden treasure nearby. This feature suggests that The Blood of Dawnwalker will place a strong emphasis on environmental storytelling and slower, methodical dungeon exploration, rewarding players who take the time to study their surroundings rather than rushing through corridors.

CD Projekt Red Legacy on Display

Industry observers and community members immediately noted the game’s structural similarities to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Given that Rebel Wolves is staffed by numerous CD Projekt Red veterans, the comparison is natural. The pacing of the investigation, the transition from exploration to close-quarters sword combat, and the dark, atmospheric audio design all carry a familiar dark fantasy DNA.

However, the distinct focus on Coen’s dual human-vampire life cycle is expected to set this project apart as players progress past the prologue. More details regarding these mechanics are anticipated as the exclusive coverage continues throughout July, leading toward the game’s global release on September 3, 2026. For more details on the launch, check out our guide on release date, platforms, and editions.