Rebel Wolves’ vampire RPG just played a haunting theme — and the trailer hints at two new companions

Why this reveal actually matters for gamers

The Blood of Dawnwalker’s “Launch Year Special” didn’t bring a release date, but it did something maybe more important right now: it proved Rebel Wolves knows how to make atmosphere. For anyone still nursing a Witcher-shaped gap in their gaming schedule, hearing a fully staged orchestral main theme plus a short cinematic that teases two possible companions is a solid reminder this vampire RPG is shaping up – and that it’s being shepherded by veterans who’ve already shipped big, story-led RPGs.

• Rebel Wolves released the full orchestral main theme and a short cinematic trailer for The Blood of Dawnwalker.
• The studio – led by ex-Witcher and Cyberpunk leads – says development is continuing toward a 2026 PC launch and is actively iterating from community feedback.
• The trailer appears to introduce two companion characters: a rune-wielding human magic-user and a vampire who Shadowsteps into combat.

Breaking down the Launch Year Special

This caught my attention because it shows Rebel Wolves leaning into the one thing that sells a dark fantasy RPG before any actual gameplay drops: tone. The studio played the main theme (composed by Nikola Kołodziejczyk) with full orchestra — deep, ominous strings, violin flourishes and a wailing vocal line that will absolutely remind you of The Witcher 3’s ability to lodge a melody in your head. It’s the kind of musical branding that sets expectations for scope and mood.

The cinematic itself is short but pointed. One scene gives us a figure who looks human and seems to trigger runes on protagonist Coen’s chest — likely a magic-capable companion. Another introduces a female vampire beside Coen inspecting a blood vortex before she Shadowsteps away. Neither reveal is a gameplay walkthrough, but they establish relationships and combat potential: rune magic, vampiric mobility, and those visual hooks that get fans theorizing.

Why the studio’s pedigree actually matters — and where to stay skeptical

Rebel Wolves is staffed with CD Projekt Red alums: Konrad Tomaszkiewicz (formerly on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk), Daniel Sadowski, Jakub Szamalek, Bartłomiej Gaweł and composer Mikołaj Stroiński are all in the mix. That pedigree matters because it explains the music-first, narrative-forward approach. These are designers who know how to craft mood and character-driven RPG moments.

But pedigree isn’t a guarantee of polish. The studio’s messaging leaned heavily on community-driven iteration — noting concrete changes to combat, dialogue trees and camera based on early feedback. That’s encouraging, but the team also admitted it can’t implement every suggestion. Translation: expect continued transparency, but also the typical indie-era trade-offs where scope and final polish will be the battleground.

What gamers should watch for between now and 2026

• Gameplay depth: cinematic teasers set a tone, but we need combat and systems demos to judge if Dawnwalker will stand with other big narrative RPGs.
• Companion design: the trailer hints at mechanically distinct partners — that could be a big win if companions feel meaningful, not just window dressing.
• Community influence vs. scope creep: iterative updates are great, but too many changes can delay a project or bloat systems if not tightly managed.
• Monetization and platform plans: the announcement focused on PC and Steam wishlisting; keep an eye out for platform exclusivity or late-stage business models.

For now, wishlist it on Steam if you want to track reveals. That’s not a vote of confidence in preorders — it’s the practical move if you want to see how the game evolves in public build videos and developer updates.

TL;DR

Rebel Wolves’ latest showcase proves they can set a mood: an orchestral main theme that nods to Witcher-era grandeur and a trailer that teases two likely companions. The studio’s CD Projekt heritage gives the game pedigree, and their community-driven updates are promising — but until we see substantive gameplay, take the cinematic polish for what it is: an invitation, not a guarantee. The Blood of Dawnwalker is on track for 2026 on PC; if you care about gothic, story-heavy RPGs, keep it on your wishlist and watch the next development update closely.