00:00PEGI-18
00:30Hello, my name is Daniel Sadowski and I'm the design director at Rebel Wolves.
00:39I would like to welcome you to the Blood of Dawnwalker summer gameplay video.
00:44Our game is a story-driven, open-world dark fantasy RPG set in medieval Europe.
00:50The game is currently in pre-beta stage and what we are going to show you is just a part of one of the mid-game quests.
00:57It's a really cool story involving legendary swords and a haunted almshouse, but today we'll focus on showcasing our gameplay systems.
01:06We're starting on the outskirts of Svartrow, the game's largest city and the capital of Vale Sangora.
01:13From here we could head anywhere the eye can see, explore ancient ruins or sabotage vampire blood transports.
01:20But, it's not just about where or when you go, it's also about how you approach the main quest and shape the story, making each playthrough uniquely your own.
01:32For now, we're following the road.
01:34Coen is on his way to the city's cathedral, chasing leads about a powerful weapon said to be hidden in its crypts.
01:41But first, we'll have to deal with some bandits who camped out by the main road.
01:47Traveling through Vale Sangora is never boring.
01:50The world is dense with quests, random encounters and locations steep in lore.
01:56This will be a great opportunity to show you our combat system.
02:00Our goal was to make the player feel like a real swordmaster who closely observes his enemies.
02:06We'll begin this fight by using acrid dust to stun one of the enemies.
02:11Now, when you attack, you choose one of all directions – up, down, left or right – in order to hit the opponent where he's unable to parry.
02:21And similarly, when defending, you have to take note of the enemy's intent and the direction of the attack.
02:28On the left side of the screen, just above Coen's health, you have activation charges that will be filled in with each successful attack, block and parry.
02:38Once they are full, you can use one of the active abilities which allow you to take a more tactical approach to fighting.
02:45We started the fight by throwing some acrid dust, and now let's cast Burning Blood.
02:51It's a hex which boils the enemy's blood and burns their skin, dealing physical damage over time.
03:00Alright, time to finish this fight.
03:03Let's use the final activation charge to cast the Artery Attack, which… oh… which actually decapitated the last opponent.
03:13Our hero quickly dispatched the bandits, so let's loot a few items they've left behind and open the inventory.
03:25First of all, let's replenish our health by eating something, and then take a closer look at this cool-looking weapon we just picked up.
03:34Ah, it has better stats than our current weapon, so let's equip it right now.
03:43We've also leveled up, so let's use this opportunity to spend the newly acquired skill point in one of Coen's skill trees.
03:50The skills in the Blood of Dawnwalker are divided into three trees, one for Human, one for Vampire, and one shared between the two.
04:01We also have an active abilities panel. We can use it to unlock additional abilities to use during combat.
04:08Note that during the day the health bar is not regenerating. You need to find consumables like the one we've just eaten.
04:17The hexes we've just used also consume some of Coen's health. Be aware of that.
04:23The way our magic system works? There's always a price to pay for manipulating reality.
04:28But we can make it sting a bit less. Let's level up the Frugal Witchcraft skill, so next time we'll cast a hex, it'll consume fewer of Coen's health points.
04:39Now that we've wrapped up the encounter with the bandits, we can be on our way to get inside the city.
04:45Right now, Coen hasn't done enough to ruffle the Vampire Lord's feathers, so the gods will just wave us through.
04:50But the more damage you cause, the more suspicious and aggressive they'll become.
04:56So when you play the game yourself, you'll have to decide whether you want to challenge the Vampires openly,
05:01or lay low until you're ready to strike and surprise them.
05:05A cathedral?
05:07It's even bigger than I remembered.
05:09And it's grander than before. They're putting in new stained glass.
05:12But Coen Yaz doesn't deny the old faith issue.
05:15Out of my face!
05:16This is the rich district of the city, Silberkreis. There's also Altermarkt, Neustadt, and the Middens.
05:24Each of the boroughs has its own feel and character.
05:28Get your stinking arse out of here!
05:30I was just passing through, I swear!
05:34I got tired.
05:36I sat down and started begging.
05:39Looming high over the city is Brancis' castle, Greifberg.
05:42He took it over when he slaughtered the human ruler of the valley, Skender, as shown in the trailer we shared with you earlier, in January this year.
05:52In order to complete the main quest and save your family, you'll have to storm the castle, alone or with help of friendly NPCs.
05:59We could do it right now, if we wanted, but it would be super challenging.
06:07No more drink for you, my friend. Go home.
06:11Let's check the map. The cathedral is really close.
06:24There's plenty of other places to see and things to do here.
06:27A couple of inns, a medic, a blacksmith, an armorer and other merchants.
06:32You can see that not only the vampires came out of the shadows.
06:41This creature on the right is called an Uriash.
06:44Look around, especially at night, and you'll learn humans have lots to fear, not just the vampires.
06:51And here we can see guards pounding on some poor guy's doors.
07:00It's just one of many different community scenes we're implementing in the game.
07:17Watch them closely when you play, as they might point you to new quests and hidden treasures or signal changes in the game's world.
07:29I humbly beg of thee.
07:32I humbly…
07:35Ouch!
07:37I don't want to say it, Mum.
07:39It's a prayer. It's what we have to say.
07:42I humbly beg of thee.
07:45I humbly beg of thee.
07:49Okay, we are at the cathedral gates.
07:53Again, since Koen isn't yet wanted by the vampire regime, and it's daytime, we can simply walk inside.
08:00The baptism of a newborn is a solemn moment, doubly so.
08:06A new life joins our flock, bringing happiness to its parents and to the congregation.
08:16A new life joins our flock, bringing happiness to its parents and to the congregation.
08:30A new life joins our flock, and to the congregation.
08:32A new life joins our flock.
08:33A new life joins therozza, and to the congregation will name it Jesus.
08:34And it's a promong.
08:35A new life joins our flock.
08:36Exsanguine est, alletur sanguine, et insanguine morietur,
08:47ego te baptizo in nomine Dei. Amen.
09:06Hmm. Don't I know you from somewhere, young man? Laslea, maybe?
09:27I'm sorry, but you must be mistaken.
09:33Am I? Perhaps. Perhaps. My memory isn't what it used to be. Come with me. I'll take your confession.
09:49Thank you, but I have no need for confession.
09:51Ah. So you deem your conscience clear.
09:59I wouldn't go that far. But I'm sure you're a busy man, father. So while I appreciate the offer,
10:05I feel that my soul shouldn't be your priority.
10:08I won't press the matter. You are quite correct. I have many other duties to attend to.
10:14But please remember that in order to be saved, we all need to repent. Myself included.
10:25I hope we can speak again soon. Good day to you. Ah, Cohen.
10:30What we saw right here was just one of many cutscenes we recorded for the game,
10:42which smoothly transitioned into a dialogue scene. We use cutscenes to highlight key scenes or showcase
10:49interesting bits of lore. Like this blood baptism. Creepy, isn't it? The core feature of The Blood of
10:57Dawnwalker is the dual gameplay loop. Remember, Cohen may be a human during the day, but he turns into a
11:05vampire at night and has a different set of skills at his disposal. And this is just one variable that
11:13affects our quests. Depending on when you tackle a particular quest, what choices you've made earlier,
11:20whom you befriended or whom you've angered, your gameplay and story experience will be very,
11:26very different. So each quest is a complex structure with multiple possible paths leading to the end goal.
11:32We maximize players' freedom and agency, offering you a narrative sandbox to play in.
11:38I wonder what secrets may be concealed up there, just beyond Cohen's reach. And how do we get there?
11:45It's impossible to do during the day, but come night, it's an entirely different story.
11:52Let us explain what we mean by taking our current quest, as an example. During the day, we got inside
11:58the cathedral without any problems, since it's open for all to see and Cohen doesn't yet stand out from
12:04the crowd. The scaffolds, though, are outside of his reach. But climbing them won't be a problem for the
12:12of Empire, who has many more exploration abilities at his disposal. Bear in mind, Cohen has not completed
12:20the quest yet. What's more, there are still a few clues to be found in order to solve this story.
12:26It's worth mentioning that narrative sandbox also means that we may completely abandon this quest
12:32and follow a different path to defeat Brancis. For today, we're focusing on the gameplay part,
12:38so let's see how we could tackle this particular quest during the night. We're starting right after
12:44dusk, as a vampire, on the rooftops of Svartral. Right now we have 22 days left to complete this goal.
12:52This counter is always displayed and you'll be warned each time it's pushed forward. So you have to
12:58be aware of the time and it's more of a resource you'll be spending than a racing clock.
13:08As a vampire you'll see and experience the world from a different perspective.
13:12You can travel quickly and easily access places beyond the reach of regular humans.
13:18Let us show you what we mean. This is Shadow Step, a unique vampiric ability,
13:24allowing Cohen to jump to almost any place within his reach. Now let's take a good look around using the
13:32Focus Mode. This ability highlights objects of interest and loot. And there is something right here.
13:44This time it's just some items to grab, but on other occasions, who knows, you might come across
13:51a hidden quest. Looks like our health is quite low. This is because as a vampire your health bar also
13:58represents your hunger level and you start each night thirsting for blood. Remember, you have to
14:05quench this appetite in order to make full use of your vampire abilities and drain in your monstrous
14:12nature around NPCs. Otherwise you may end up draining someone important, which may lead to unpredictable
14:19consequences. We'd better feed them. Maybe on someone who is standing all alone. Like this drunkard.
14:31Let's grab him and use Voracious Bite ability. Unless you lose control due to hunger,
14:38you get to decide how much blood to drink. You can drain just a bit and knock your victim unconscious
14:46or go all the way and kill them. And if you're adamant you don't want to hurt innocent humans,
14:54you can drink from animals and some other creatures.
15:02Finally, we are at the Cathedral, but it seems to be closed for the night
15:05and the entrance gate is well guarded. Let's find another way in.
15:15Shadow Step is not the only vampiric ability you're gonna learn during your playthrough.
15:32Koen can also use Plane Shift to scale walls and even ceilings smoothly.
15:37This will allow us to explore every nook and cranny of the Cathedral.
15:59Better be quiet.
16:00You shall become your new family. You shall want for nothing.
16:05You shall become your new family. You shall want for nothing.
16:07What the hell is she doing here? What is she doing? Is that a ritual for the Bloodguards?
16:13You shall become your new family. You shall want for nothing.
16:17They're covering up the old paintings. Why? One of the workers must have left it.
16:30Seems that the Cathedral complex is quite big. The main building, cloisters, inner courtyard.
16:37The entrance to the crypt could be anywhere. Won't get anything done just standing around. Still.
16:43This was a scene investigation. A mechanic we used to zoom in on and showcase key clues.
16:50This time we had a chance to learn more about the Vampire's plans. Looks like they're keen to
16:55cover up the old frescoes, so that's something we could take a look at. This way we could learn more
17:02about the Cathedral's past. Looks like we aren't alone here. Underneath us, there's a group of Bloodguards.
17:16Soldiers hooked up on Vampire blood, which makes them stronger. And one of Brancis' vampire allies.
17:23It's Xanthi, the oldest vampire in Vale Sangora, and quite a powerful lady.
17:29Let's descend and check what's going on.
17:48Don't think I don't see you skulking in the shadows. Come out!
17:54You're interfering with my task. Who are you?
18:08It doesn't matter.
18:10Very well. I don't have time for interruptions.
18:13Let us dispose of him. Quickly!
18:25Cohen is using his claws to attack when in Vampire form. Bloodguards are dual-wielding opponents.
18:32Their attacks are pretty strong. Of course, even when fighting with claws, combat is still directional.
18:39Don't worry. Cohen can still use his sword as a Vampire.
18:50Only after defeating all three of the Bloodguards,
18:53Xanthi beams Cohen worthy of a challenge, and she descends to face him.
18:59She uses her Blood Control powers to cast a multitude of attacks,
19:03like her Blood Whips that hit Cohen from left and right.
19:09Xanthi is protected by a powerful Vampire ability.
19:14Once her stamina runs out, Cohen will have an opportunity to strike and deal some damage.
19:19But be careful, because Xanthi is quick to counter-attack,
19:22and she will also try to restore her blood.
19:25Meanwhile, look at the indicator just below her health and stamina.
19:29It's a timer for the boiling blood skill that you've seen in the CGI trailer.
19:35So, if we don't hurry, the timer goes down to zero, and Cohen will eventually explode.
19:44And we're dead.
19:46Remember, we were only mid-game here, and Xanthi is one of the game's most punishing enemies.
19:52Defeating her right here and right now is very much possible.
19:56But it would be hellishly difficult.
19:58A fun challenge for hardcore players.
20:02Otherwise, we could load the game and explore the cathedral without drawing her attention.
20:08Or try to get to her while she's not surrounded by bodyguards.
20:12Xanthi, like all other Vampire allies, has her own questline.
20:17Explore it, and you can learn more about her past, motivations, and maybe even try to reason with her.
20:26What you do is entirely up to you.
20:28Remember, our design principle is the narrative sandbox.
20:32There's no difference between main quests and side quests.
20:35There's just different stories that you weave together into your own, unique adventure.
20:41But that's coming in 2026.
20:44For now, I'd like to thank you for joining me on this gameplay video presentation.
20:49We've just shown you a tiny glimpse of the blood of Dawnwalker.
20:53There's definitely more to come in the coming months,
20:56so stay tuned for any updates being posted on our social media profiles.
21:01Goodbye!
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