Jump into one of The Blood of the Dawnwalker’s mid-game quests in the new gameplay deep dive

Vampire-fueled, fantasy RPG The Blood of the Dawnwalker just got a much deeper look at gameplay, in a 20+ minute video.

Of magic and blood

From Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco Entertainment, The Blood of the Dawnwalker is one game that we’re keeping close tabs on for 2026. The fantasy role-playing title centers on medieval Europe, and a vampire brood that’s surged up in the wake of the land’s wars and plagues, to take over the region known as Vale Sangora.

Players find themselves in the boots of Coen during this troubled time. A young man whose family has been taken, Coen has also been infected by vampirism, but not completely turned. Instead, he is in a kind of in-between state, where he’s human by day, and vampire by night. And as we saw in the recently released gameplay deep dive, there’s quite a bit in the game that takes advantage of that dichotomy.

You can get a look at both of Coen’s forms in action, complete with a peek at “directional combat” and innovative runic magic systems, via the gameplay deep dive below. It includes over 20 minutes of action that covers both day and night, and was captured via a PC with a pre-beta build of The Blood of the Dawnwalker.

Though it looks pretty sharp to us, keep in mind that Rebel Wolves says that the “footage does not represent the final level of quality and polish of the game, and Rebel Wolves is committed to transparent and honest communication that presents the game in its latest production environment. This is to give players a clear understanding of how the project will evolve over time.”

Some notes from the press release, as to the above walkthrough:

Vale Sangora

Step into the gripping world of The Blood of Dawnwalker, where exploration and player choice shape Coen’s journey. Unveiled during the Summer Solstice gameplay showcase, Vale Sangora serves as the heart of this immersive narrative offering players freedom to traverse its landscapes, from swamps and towering mountains to abandoned ruins and shadowy caves and the horrors within them. Svartrau, the region’s largest city, contrasts starkly between day and night where bustling medieval life masks the influence of a vampire regime by day, while moonlit rooftops reveal hidden secrets after dark, with residents reacting to the player’s choices and behavior.

Coen’s duality and combat

As a Dawnwalker, Coen is neither fully human nor entirely vampire. By day, he 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, and unlocks an entirely new powerset. His nocturnal abilities include lethal vampiric claws and Shadowstep, a skill that allows him to swiftly navigate across rooftops. 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 vampire nature

As a Dawnwalker, Coen grapples with his relentless bloodlust that intensifies at night. Accompanied by visual cues during gameplay, players can help Coen satisfy his hunger in various ways – by drinking the blood of defeated foes, including vampires, innocent villagers, or animals, or by using special blood vials. If left unsatisfied, this craving not only weakens Coen’s abilities and vitality but, in critical moments, may cause him to lose control, and unintentionally cause the death of an important story character.

Bandai Namco press release

The Blood of the Dawnwalker is set to launch some time in 2026, and will arrive for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.