Grand Theft Auto 6

Rockstar’s upcoming return to Vice City is easily the biggest open-world release on the horizon, and the perfect candidate to start off the list. Grand Theft Auto 6 promises a living, breathing world packed with dynamic NPC routines, reactive law enforcement, and an unprecedented level of environmental detail. The dual protagonists inspired by the adventures of Bonnie and Clyde look to be a promising storyline filled with several emotional moments. Of course, missions, side activities, and emergent mayhem are also important pillars of the experience – so we are definitely looking forward to this one.

Arknights: Endfield

Arknights: Endfield represents a major shift for the franchise, expanding its tower-defense roots into a full-fledged action RPG. Real-time combat, squad-based mechanics, and large-scale environments are just a few highlights of the experience, but there’s a lot more to get excited about as well. Despite the stark change, the game retains its distinctive art style and emphasis on world-building. Arknights: Endfield already received great critical and commercial reception on PC, and it is definitely worth checking out.

I’m referring, of course, to Rebel Wolves’ The Blood of Dawnwalker, in which making your way from one mission to another is decidedly more interesting thanks to the game’s systems coming together beautifully to give the impression of a title that’s iron-clad in its vision. With focus, style, and a vibe that can be hard to pull off even in current-gen titles, Coen’s adventure is shaping up to be one of the biggest hits to grace the action-adventure genre.

But of course, that’s just my opinion. However, I do think that everything I’ve seen in the game’s promotional materials backs that theory up, and by a long shot. Dawnwalker isn’t just a game that’s so well-done it becomes the stuff of legends. That’s too easy.

It’s an experience that could hold the torch for the games that follow it, even as it encourages you to stick to the shadows as you stalk your enemies.

A Straightforward Setting and Premise

Give the game’s story trailer a watch, and you’ll begin to see what I mean. We’re quickly introduced to all of the key players in the game’s narrative, and the reason for Coen’s transformation and for his disdain towards the vampire cohen that has taken over Vale Sangora, his homeland.

Of course, the stakes (pun intended) are quite high for any sort of dissent he plans to attempt, the fate of his sister hanging in the balance and all that. It’s the kind of story in which you get the sinking feeling that no one among the cast is really safe, and I don’t think I’m going to be picking any favorites during my first playthrough, at least.

Notice how I said “first”? That’s because of the way the narrative is structured, allowing for each of your choices to affect the outcomes of key plot points in various ways. That screams replay value, and I do think that anyone who plays this one on its terms is going to be diving into a new playthrough almost right off the bat to see if there’s a better way to achieve what they set out to do.

That’s a great premise, and it’s one that’s backed by Vale Sangora itself. Its gothic architecture works well with the kind of medieval setting that the developers have crafted with painstaking detail. But excellent visuals are only part of the reason why I think the stage upon which Coen’s story unfolds is as important as the adventure that awaits us. Yes, visual fidelity and solid performance do help sell the game’s material. But that’s already been done by so many great titles over the current generation of gaming hardware’s life span. But Vale Sangora is different.

Exploring cities, towns, and villages isn’t just a way to gather clues and perhaps lore about life in the Vale. It’s a way to learn more about your enemies and the manner in which their influence has seeped into the very social fabric of your home. It showcases the manner in which humans have become secondary citizens in their own homes and the social injustice that follows such discrimination.

Hell, the humans in the Vale discriminate against each other in a few instances, making me wonder if Coen had any chance at all of leading his people to freedom against Brencis and his cohort of superpowered beings. It’s a world of complexities and nuance, often making its presence felt as a character all on its own. It fits the game’s narrative context like a glove, working in tandem with it to bring a degree of polish and cohesion that bodes very well for the game.

Coen is clearly an underdog, but he’s one with a lot to lose. The consequences of failure could be more than he could bear, given that he would have to carry them for eternity thanks to his newfound powers. However, his condition does come with a time limit that’s constantly ticking away (more on that in a jiffy).

I’m quite confident in the story and worldbuilding of this game, partly due to the evidence that’s right in front of me and the intangible value of having a team that’s largely composed of the folks behind The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. They’ve already nailed a story with complex, branching narrative paths before. They’ve already crafted a world full of possibilities and hidden consequences that blew our minds nearly eleven years ago.

But The Blood of Dawnwalker could allow them to scale new heights. Why do I think so?

Decisions, Decisions

It all comes down to the narrative choices you get to make as Coen. But it isn’t just choosing one dialogue choice over another. This time around, that choice is baked into the world itself, dictating the approaches you decide to take to situations you encounter, a facet of the game that’s already on display in all of its gameplay showcases.

Do you take on a situation as a human, navigating complex social interactions to get to what you need while you bask in the sunlight? Or do you decide to give in to the bloodthirstiness of your condition and take a more direct approach as a vampire, using the shadows and your unprecedented physical advantages to bypass defences and infiltrate areas with ease?

Coen’s duality as a human-vampire hybrid is a constant background presence in The Blood of Dawnwalker, forcing players to think about whether they want to lean towards tackling the game as a human or a vampire, each of which comes with its own complications and advantages. Or perhaps striking a balance between the two for the sake of a sister that Coen is so desperate to save.

It helps that Brencis and his lieutenants are constantly responding to your actions, the world becoming either easier or more treacherous to navigate as a result. Once again, the game’s design choices blend so seamlessly into the overall experience that it’s quite hard to tell them apart.

And that’s a factor that’s definitely part of a solid blockbuster in my book. But of course, there’s more to it than just that.

Fighting for Freedom

The duality of Coen’s predicament is also baked into the game’s combat systems. As a human, he’s clinical and efficient in battle, taking care to dispatch any opposed to him with finesse and grace (Clair Obscur, anyone?). He is methodical and observant, ready to exploit any weaknesses his enemies show with surgical precision.

But unleash the vampire, and he is a different beast entirely. He’s almost frightening, a force that mere mortals might find hard to comprehend, let alone mount a defence against. He is brutal, tearing through rank and file enemies with abandon, feeding off their blood to keep himself in the fight a lot longer than they can afford to have him on his feet.

The constant tug of war between his human and vampire sides is an undercurrent that blends very well with the game’s other systems to create narrative tension that carries over to the moment-to-moment gameplay. But it does more than that.

It works very well with the entire idea that he has only a month to complete his adventure, adding a sense of urgency to the story that would otherwise fall prey to the seemingly endless amount of time that most action-adventure protagonists seem to have at their disposal when they’re let loose in an open world.

That ultimately results in an open-world experience that’s typically shorter but exponentially more focused as a result. It removes the scope for player fatigue by setting the entire darn adventure on a ticking clock, and one that isn’t going to afford them the one luxury that Coen’s counterparts in the genre have in spades: time.

It’s a flourish that might be hard to pull off, but I have full faith in the talented team behind this experience. It gives me the feeling that Vale Sangora is probably going to be one of the darkest, most fascinating places that I’m going to have the privilege of visiting in a modern video game.

Mind you, I’ve been to quite a few of those, but none of them appeal to me in the way that The Blood of Dawnwalker has managed with just a few gameplay showcases and the soaring feeling that we’re all finally getting the vampire game we deserve.

Of course, things could go badly wrong, Murphy’s Law and all that. But I’m willing to bet that it isn’t going to be the case. This one looks like it’s going to be pure cinema from the get-go, and it’s a tale I hope to be looking back fondly on for a long time to come.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

The Blood of Dawnwalker

You’re not the only one pointing at the screen, DiCaprio-style, thinking, “That’s very Witcher-esque” (and for good reason, given Rebel Wolves’ experience on The Witcher 3). Nevertheless, the dark medieval tidings of Vale Sangora provide a starker contrast in terms of day and night, as Coen walks between the two to save his family. So while the lighting and shadows look technically robust, the contrast and how it weaves into your playstyle and decisions further sweetens the deal.

Control Resonant

You would think Remedy has nothing to prove with its visual work, and yet, here’s the development team taking its brutalist architecture, surreal, spooky lighting and stellar art direction into the wider world. Beyond looking like a sleek hack-and-slash title with even more mind-boggling enemy designs, Control Resonant feels leagues trippier than the original, and we can’t wait to see more.

Resident Evil Requiem

Everything showcased thus far has led to this moment. The sheer attention to detail, from the hair physics and skin textures to realistic sweat – not to mention the dynamic lighting and shadows – make for one heck of a survival horror showcase. And yet, there’s still so much more to see, including Leon’s sections, which have been rumored to offer larger environments compared to Grace’s more confined, claustrophobic, and harrowing sections. Thankfully, with less than two months before release and a showcase coming up, it’s only a matter of time.

Marvel’s Wolverine

As with Ratchet and Clank and Marvel’s Spider-Man, it isn’t about Insomniac’s tech so much as how it’s used. Thus, we get hyper-detailed arm hair (a vital component of Logan’s character, as any fan will tell you), immaculate reflections off those adamantium claws, and only the finest blood spatters in Marvel’s Wolverine. That’s not even mentioning the environmental destruction and interactivity, whether it’s breaking through market stalls or launching enemies into lava.

Beast of Reincarnation

Seeing this after experiencing nothing but Pokémon from Game Freak may be somewhat of an eye-opener for fans, even more so because it looks incredibly sleek. Weathered rusting textures on robots, stylish executions, a relatively calm yet foreboding post-apocalyptic setting with impressive shrubbery – it’s almost surreal, especially with how rapidly environments can change. Suffice it to say, this is probably the studio’s best-looking effort to date, and we’re intrigued to see more.

Ontos

What would a Frictional Games title be without masterful usage of lighting and shadows? Look no further than Stellan Skarsgård’s character illuminated against a chandelier, the warm ambience prevalent throughout the reception area. Of course, being a spiritual successor to Soma also means plenty of not-so-warm and fuzzy sights. Realistic skin tearing. Reality fractures. You get the drill. It all works in unison to deliver a terrifyingly surreal experience.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

You wouldn’t ordinarily geek out over an Unreal Engine 5 remake, but Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have pulled off something incredible with Legacy of Atlantis (that too based solely on pre-alpha footage). Returning to where it all began for gaming’s most illustrious heroine, the remake offers gorgeously detailed shrubbery and architecture along with an incredible sense of scale. Plus, there are all the little details, from realistic dirt markings to Lara’s signature animations, which look better than ever.

Saros

“Spiritual successor to Returnal” may as well sound more like “the same bullet hell action you loved before, but with more fleshed out rogue-lite mechanics.” And honestly, I’m fine with that, given the original’s addictiveness. In the graphics department, however, Saros is going beyond the usual “tentacle technology” and offering rigid-body simulation for its many, many bullets alongside reactive lighting and layered dynamic particles. Even the narrative side benefits from improved cinematography, more cutscenes with additional motion capture, and better facial animations.

Gears of War: E-Day

The Coalition has yet to share any more footage beyond that trailer in 2024, but it’s certainly hyping up the prequel to a ridiculous degree. Remember Gears 5, considered one of the best-looking games of the last generation? E-Day will feature “over 100 times more environmental and character details” by comparison, and, oh, ray-traced lighting, shadows and reflections as well. That’s not even including the revamped destruction or new animation tech, with everything “completely rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5.” Say what you will about how other studios have handled the engine, but with The Coalition in charge, this could very well be an “unrivalled visual experience.”

Grand Theft Auto 6

The sheer number of NPCs in some shots, each with their own detailed animations and skin textures; the rendering distance, especially on those stunning aerial shots; the facial animations, which deliver as much on the subtlety – I could go on and on about Grand Theft Auto 6’s visual brilliance. And that’s based on just two trailers. Even if we get a more detailed gameplay walkthrough in the months ahead, it will only scratch the surface of what could be one of the best-looking games of all time.

007 First Light

Ignore the copious amounts of motion blur during its PS5 gameplay – IO Interactive’s next is a stunner, and that’s saying something given its experience with the Hitman franchise. The young pre-007 Bond’s global traipse isn’t just about gorgeous, guest-packed locales or high-speed chases across scenic landscapes. It’s about sneaking past guards, leveraging the environment to your advantage (thus highlighting the impressive particles and alpha effects). It’s also very much about those explosive set pieces, where intuition pays off as much as aggression. Whether you’re in it for the sights or action, 007 First Light certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Phantom Blade Zero

There’s something about the atmosphere that feels distinctly Souls-like. Perhaps it’s the desolate buildings of Pang Town, the desaturated colors in certain places or the fantastical yet realistically rendered enemies. Regardless, Phantom Blade Zero’s sleek animations and lightning-fast combat quickly showcase its action RPG chops, and it’s certainly shaping up to be a peak “kung fu-punk” experience.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties

You have to hand it to RGG Studio – beyond simply remaking a classic Yakuza, it’s also delivering a brand new experience focused on one of the more popular villains in the series. And as usual, it’s not skimping in the visual department, revamping the character models and environments in the Dragon Engine, which still holds up to this day. Perfect for losing a tidy hundred hours or so while admiring the sights.

Crimson Desert

Speaking of getting lost in a world for a hundred hours, perhaps even more, this long-awaited open-world fantasy action RPG. Pywel has drawn us in so deeply, brimming as it is with expansive mountain ranges, dense forests with extensive foliage and seemingly endless plains (not to mention the mysterious floating islands). And if that’s not enough, maybe that giant mecha dragon fight will win you over.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

An Onimusha revival has been way overdue, and thankfully, Way of the Sword isn’t just coasting on its looks. Which is a way of saying that it looks fantastic, capturing the dark fantasy atmosphere of previous titles while reinventing just how disturbingly detailed the Genma can be. Otherwise, everything you could want from an Onimusha title – from a charismatic protagonist to sleek-looking sword combat – is here, and backed by phenomenal-looking effects and animations.

Replaced

I could regale you with Sad Cat Studios’ long journey and developmental challenges, especially being based in Ukraine. Or even how Replaced is operating on a completely different level when it comes to pushing the boundaries of 2.5D pixel art, but a single comment on its release date trailer says it best: “Every scene is wallpaper worthy.” With how long it’s been in development, we’re keen to admire every hand-crafted animation, every harrowing chase sequence, and every single downer aspect of this alternate history USA.

Fable

As much renown as Playground Games has received for Forza Horizon, there’s been a healthy amount of skepticism for Fable, due to the long development cycle and delays. On the bright side, the graphics, as showcased last year in new pre-alpha footage, are shaping up well enough, capturing that fairytale aesthetic while looking technically sound. 2026 could finally be its year – all we need now is solid confirmation (and some more gameplay as a treat).

Fatekeeper

Paraglacial’s debut first-person action RPG skipped straight from having our interest to commanding our attention after its initial trailer. This level of environmental fidelity from a team of 12, with outdoors that shine with realistic foliage and indoors brimming with mood lighting and crazily detailed beasts, is something to behold.

Valor Mortis

In the same vein is One More Level’s next first-person title, which is a Souls-like and can hurt you. Instead of the cyberpunk tidings of Ghostrunner, Valor Mortis opts for an alternative 19th-century Europe where the plague runs rampant. However, there is a distinct beauty on display, almost like the alpha effects, environmental textures and desiccated trees combine into a painterly aesthetic. Don’t even get us started on the bosses and enemies, which can vary from sleek to downright disturbing in their makeup.

Pragmata

With how long it took to nail the unorthodox gameplay loop, which boils down to “hack-and-shoot”, hilariously enough, Pragmata didn’t have to look this good. Yet, here we are, with Diana’s hair animating so realistically that the tech made it into Requiem. Of course, there’s plenty else to love in terms of the sci-fi leanings of this hostile lunar base and the sheer detail of enemies, right down to their exposed machinery with each successful hack. If Onimusha showcases the past and Requiem the present, then Pragmata is an incredible showcase for the future.

Directive 8020

While it isn’t the developer’s first foray with Unreal Engine 5, Directive 8020 feels like Supermassive has become more comfortable with the engine. Consolidating the tense journey of survival on the Cassiopeia with the studio’s signature narrative approach, it showcased some stunning alien flora, meticulously detailed body horror, and, of course, incredible use of lighting and shadows. That’s alongside the fantastic facial animations.

Nioh 3

With everything that Team Ninja has done in the past several years – the larger environments of Wo Long, the open world of Rise of the Ronin, the dark fantasy feudal setting of Nioh – it was only a matter of time before it combined them. Thus, we have Nioh 3, with its open field (not open world) levels that impress as much with their draw distance and foliage as they do with the Yokai roaming about. Maybe you won’t notice all this much in the heat of combat, but they’re stunning all the same.

Ride 6

Despite lacking the budget of a Polyphony Digital or Playground Games, Milestone’s Ride series has quietly carved its own niche in terms of realistic racing visuals. Launching this February, Ride 6 ups the ante even further with Unreal Engine 5, delivering more true-to-life tracks and motorbikes (even if the character models could use some more life).

The Duskbloods

I’m not sure if it’s FromSoftware’s art direction doing the heavy lifting, but The Duskbloods is sporting some impressive details. Between the monstrous bosses and dilapidated environments is some truly impressive architecture, even more so on the Nintendo Switch 2. It may not boast an Elden Ring-style scale, but for its PvEvP needs, this is shaping up into another visual masterpiece for the studio.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

Despite a delay past early 2026, Skydance New Media’s debut title hasn’t been ruled out for this year, which is good news. We’ve yet to see much beyond the gorgeous cinematics, which set the stage for Captain America and Black Panther to team up in WW2 Occupied Paris. However, if anyone can deliver a blockbuster action-adventure experience, it’s Amy Hennig and her crew.

Squadron 42

Give it up for over $1 billion in funding for Star Citizen, with a full release still years away. But Squadron 42, the single-player-focused title, is seemingly out this year (multiple delays notwithstanding). For all the controversy, it still looks good, and the thought of an epic space opera with over 70 missions and an all-star cast is too good to pass up. Now let’s see if it actually sticks to its deadline this time.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

Credit where it’s due for Unreal Engine 5 – the planes in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve have truly never looked better. Then you have the prospect of multi-layered cloudscapes for some of the most dynamic sky battles yet. Even the character models and cutscenes are a massive step up, adding so much more to the realism – a far cry from the days of JPEG dog.

Halo: Campaign Evolved

Beyond the micro-stutters in its first gameplay, Halo Studios’ second remake of the FPS classic isn’t looking too shabby. The revamped cinematics look stunning; the Covenant animate so well while staying true to the original; the texture work is sleek; and the weapon models look great. There are still plenty of doubts to be had, but at least on a visual level, Halo: Campaign Evolved is looking the part.

Arknights: Endfield

Gorgeous games aren’t exactly uncommon in this day and age, especially with stand-out efforts like Where Winds Meet and Wuthering Waves. Arknights: Endfield joins those ranks, and despite offering multiple zones instead of a true open world, the clean sci-fi aesthetic meshes so well with the extensive greenery on Talos 2. And as much praise as the character designs have received, the otherworldly Aggeloi aren’t far behind.

Forza Horizon 6

Like Gears of War: E-Day, once again, is there really any doubt that this will be a visual experience unlike any other? It’s not just because of Playground Games’ fantastic run of quality with the series, but also how it’s approaching the depiction of Japan. Tokyo City will, naturally, be one of the studio’s “most detailed and layered environments to date,” but it’s the subtleties, be it the wind bells signaling the arrival of Summer, or the calm energy permeating the atmosphere, that really have us excited. Couple that with this being the studio’s “biggest” and “most full” map yet, and Forza Horizon 6 could very well set a new benchmark for the genre.

“We want to tell a story with vampires, not a story about vampires only,” said Tomaszkiewicz. “Our vampires are different. They are more wild, and they have these small cliques, and sometimes those cliques fight with one another. Our vampires come from many regions of the world; we tell different stories throughout the game to show you their origins and why they are doing what they are doing. There are interesting stories to be told in the bond between them and how their relationships have changed over time.”

As for how exactly the vampires in The Blood of Dawnwalker will be different, Tomaszkiewicz noted that traditional parts of vampire fiction, like the creatures’ weakness to things like silver, garlic and sunlight, will be different. For example, silver will play a key role, allowing Coen to transform into the Dawnwalker—a hybrid that is human during the day and vampire at night.

“We have some traditional vampire themes, but aspects like silver, sunlight, and garlic work in different ways,” he said, going on to note that Coen’s transformation, thanks to his suffering from silver poisoning, is “another twist on the vampire fantasy.”

Coen’s status as the Dawnwalker also means that Rebel Wolves had to create distinct styles of gameplay to account for his human and vampire forms. According to Tomaszkiewicz, roaming the world during the day will put Coen at a disadvantage due to his human form being weaker but he will have other tools to compensate for this. At night, on the other hand, he will be able to use his vampiric powers. The director noted that every quest in The Blood of Dawnwalker is designed to accommodate those gameplay styles.

“We needed to create two distinct gameplay loops,” explained Tomaszkiewicz. “While playing as a human, we wanted to give you the feeling that you’re weaker, but you’ll have different toys to play with to compensate. When you’re a vampire, you are not only stronger but also able to wield vampyric capabilities to reach your goals. With every story, every quest line that we design, we have had to think about these two ways to play.”

Tomaszkiewicz had previously spoken about how The Blood of Dawnwalker will be a story with vampires rather than being about the creatures back in November 2025. In the same interview, he also spoke about games like Dishonored being major inspirations for Rebel Wolves.

The Blood of Dawnwalker is being developed for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and is slated for release this year. For more on the RPG, watch the launch year special video released by the studio just last week.

These include “gameplay features, locations, and characters,” per game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz. Global community lead also teased that fans hadn’t even met the entire cast of main characters, “or creatures” yet. To further whet your appetite for what’s to come, a new teaser was attached at the end, featuring new cutscenes and location reveals, including a Caelid-esque landscape and a snowy environment.

Some new faces also accompany protagonist Coen, including one that appears to be a vampire (as evidenced by her speed and abilities). The final boss, Brencis, is also showcased, but alongside Xanthe, seen in a prior gameplay reveal, two other vampire lords flank him.

If you play your cards right, it’s possible that Coen won’t have to square up against all of them at once. Then again, that may require careful time management and knowing when it’s best to infiltrate at night. Check out the last gameplay showcase to see how that works.

When it comes to the central structure of The Blood of Dawnwalker, Tomaskiewicz said that players won’t really find a singular main quest to follow. Rather, they will encounter different kinds of quests, and figure out things like where their main target might be. This also means that the player can then decide to immediately take out the target, or even hang back and do some other quests that might help weaken the target’s position. He noted that the number of options presented to players is the studio’s attempts at bringing the freedom of gameplay decisions that can often only be seen in table-top RPGs.

“No, there’s no main quest. You build your experience from the quests you encounter,” he explained. “You know where your enemy is. You can attack this place anytime you want to. It’s up to you if you want to do it by yourself, or if you want to build yourself, find the powerful items, develop your character, or do some quests and find allies to help you do it. We want to bring video games closer to pen-and-paper RPGs and give you the freedom to experience what you want to experience.”

As for just how much freedom the player might have, with Eurogamer asking whether it will be similar to Warhorse Studios’ Kingdom Come: Deliverance series, Tomaskiewicz noted that it wasn’t a bad example. However, more apt examples, according to him, would be the classic Fallout and Fallout 2 developed by Interplay in the 1990s. In both titles, players were given their primary objective right from the beginning, but then also had freedom to explore the world and build up their strength in different ways at their own pace.

“Kingdom Come: Deliverance is not a bad example, but still they have the main story that develops; you have the open world and the main quest which is leading you,” said Tomaskiewicz. “In our game it’s different. Our game is more similar in this area to the old Fallout, the first and second games, where you have a clear goal and everything is optional – you decide. You travel the world, you decide what you want to do. There is no main quest.”

Earlier this month, Tomaskiewicz had also spoken about how The Blood of Dawnwalker will tackle the subject of vampires, noting that rather than being a story about vampires, the upcoming RPG will be a story that happens to feature vampires. “We have different creatures of the night,” he said. “We want to tell [a] story with the vampires, not the story about [only] the vampires.”

The Blood of Dawnwalker is in development for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and is slated for release in 2026.

The Blood of Dawnwalker, according to Tomaszkiewicz, will be a story that has and uses vampires, instead of being a story purely about the vampires. “We have different creatures of the night,” he said. “We want to tell [a] story with the vampires, not the story about [only] the vampires.”

As for just what level of gameplay freedom players should expect from The Blood of Dawnwalker, Tomaszkiewicz noted that one of the many inspirations behind the game was Arkane’s Dishonored. The title gives players an incredible amount of options in how they want to tackle their objectives, thanks to the versatility of the many abilities players have access to, as well as incredibly-dense level design that encourages exploration to find new and interesting routes, and even side-quests that open up even more unique ways of accomplishing objectives.

“Dishonored was one of the inspirations,” Tomaszkiewicz said. “We wanted to create [a] way of exploring for the vampire, [that’s] as open as [Dishonored].” He did go on to note, however, that The Blood of Dawnwalker won’t have the kind of freedom that Dishonored allows. “It’s not that you can enter everywhere,” he said. “But it’s so open that you should feel almost total freedom.”

A good example of the kind of freedom players can expect was revealed earlier this month when a gameplay overview video for The Blood of Dawnwalker revealed a spell similar to “Speak With Dead” from Baldur’s Gate 3. By making use of this spell, Coen will be able to discover new story elements, and even figure out different and unexpected ways of clearing quest objectives. The spell, dubbed Compel Soul, also adds another wrinkle to the game by not being available at night.

The gameplay overview video generally provided a great look at The Blood of Dawnwalker, showing off how Coen can take on different quests and explore a variety of areas. The video focused on a quest to get a legendary sword located in a crypt underneath the church. Players have plenty of options for how they might want to tackle this, like going into the crypt during the night by using the Shadow Step ability.

A video released all the way back in August also gave us a look at some of the abilities that Coen will have access to in The Blood of Dawnwalker. Among the abilities showcased was Planeshift, which allows the player to wrap around the game’s world and even climb up the sides of buildings or cliffs. The video also provided a look at the fast-paced, hard-hitting combat.

The Blood of Dawnwalker is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2026.

After encountering a Murohn in the abandoned wing of an alms house and slaying it, Coen can use a Hex spell known as Compel Soul. It’s only available in human form alongside other spells, but it serves to resurrect corpses with moths floating about them to ask for information. In this case, you discover that the local caretaker that Coen had to find had sacrificed someone for his own gain.

The approach is more straightforward than Speak With Dead, with Coen simply compelling the soul to reveal more information. Still, not having to ask only five questions is a relief. It’s worth noting that if the player tried investigating the alms house at night instead of during the daytime, Compel Soul would not be available. Which doesn’t sound too bad, but considering how precious time can be, it’s worth keeping in mind.

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches in 2026 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Rebel Wolves has confirmed that the title is in pre-beta state and has even more to share before launch, so stay tuned.

While the previous gameplay showcase briefly mentioned the quest for a legendary sword, this one focuses primarily on the same. However, it’s located in a crypt below the church. Players can infiltrate it during the day in human form, but they’ll need to complete a quest for the deacon, which involves finding something in an alms house.

This leads to the discovery of a closed-off wing of plague victims where a Murohn, a vampire with a botched transformation, awaits. After slaying it, Coen returns to the church where he’s granted access to the library to find a book with the crypt’s location.

Alternatively, he can tackle the mission by night in vampire form, using Shadow Step to clear rooftops and directly access the library’s balcony. This approach has its risks – the guards are none too happy to see you, for instance – but it does showcase the improvements made to combat. The abilities menu is no longer paused, instead slowing the game down while you select options.

Rebel Wolves have also added a second camera option, which is placed further back. You can set the camera separately for combat and exploration, perhaps prioritising a wider view while exploring the wilds or the closer view for more intense fights.

The showcase concludes with a battle against Mihai, the Patron Saint of the Cathedral, who was seemingly buried alive in the crypt. Why? Well, you’ll have to find out when the game launches. The Blood of Dawnwalker is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

It offers a unique mechanic where time progresses depending on certain decisions, and you only have 30 days to save Coen’s family from the big bad Brencis. As you cause more problems for the latter’s forces, Coen will gain notoriety. Head here for more details.