The future of The Blood of Dawnwalker surprises with a trailer that goes far beyond the Middle Ages

One of the most unexpected moments of Summer Game Fest 2026 came courtesy of The Blood of Dawnwalker, the new dark fantasy RPG developed by Rebel Wolves—the studio founded by several veteran ex-developers of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. What initially appeared to be just another look at the adventure starring Coen ultimately twisted into a far more ambitious revelation regarding the future of the entire franchise.

The new trailer showcases a mix of narrative sequences and gameplay footage, but its biggest surprise drops in the final moments. There, Rebel Wolves hints that Coen’s story will not end in the medieval Europe where the main game takes place.

Coen remains the heart of the story

The main adventure of The Blood of Dawnwalker unfolds in a dark, alternate version of 14th-century Europe.

In a world ravaged by war, famine, and the Black Death, vampires abandon the shadows to claim the power they have hunted for centuries. Players step into the boots of Coen, a young man transformed into a Dawnwalker—a creature trapped between humanity and vampirism.

His goal is to save his family while constantly deciding how much of his own humanity he is willing to sacrifice to achieve it.

Human by day, vampire by night

One of the game’s most distinctive systems takes center stage once again in the new trailer.

Coen possesses two completely different playstyles depending on the time of day. During daylight hours, he fights as a human utilizing traditional weaponry, magic, and skills. When night falls, he gains access to vampiric powers that transform both exploration and combat encounters.

This duality deeply impacts the narrative as well, since certain choices and opportunities will only be available in one of the two states.

A narrative where time matters

Rebel Wolves has repeatedly emphasized that The Blood of Dawnwalker will defy traditional open-world RPG structures.

The main adventure revolves around a limited-time system where Coen’s family is in constant danger. Every completed quest advances the clock, forcing players to carefully choose which side stories actually deserve their attention.

This philosophy aims to give real weight to player choices, avoiding the trope of an open world frozen in time, eternally waiting for the protagonist.

The big reveal: The saga will leap centuries into the future

The most striking part of the trailer has nothing to do with vampires or swordplay.

During the final seconds, a sequence unfolds in a modern-day setting—a jarring departure from the medieval atmosphere shown so far. Rebel Wolves later confirmed that this teaser is part of their long-term vision for the franchise.

According to the studio, the so-called Dawnwalker Saga will span centuries of history, taking Coen across different continents, cultures, and eras. While the story told in The Blood of Dawnwalker will function as a complete, self-contained adventure, it serves as merely the opening chapter of a much broader narrative.

A new franchise with massive ambitions

This revelation makes it crystal clear that Rebel Wolves is not just developing a standalone RPG.

The studio is building a brand-new franchise with massive long-term plans. The trailer itself suggests that Coen’s immortality will allow the series to explore distinct historical periods—a highly unique concept within the genre.

The premise is particularly enticing considering the pedigree of the team, which is composed of the veteran minds behind some of the most influential RPGs of the last two decades.

September marks the dawn of a new era

The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on September 3, 2026.

But following this latest trailer, one thing is certain: Rebel Wolves doesn't just want to tell a standard vampire story.

They want to forge an epic that spans entire centuries.

And Coen's journey seems destined to last much longer than a single lifetime.