PC Gamer's hands-on with The Blood of Dawnwalker reveals a vampire-focused action RPG that wears its Witcher 3 inspiration on its sleeve. After four hours, the game borrows liberally from CD Projekt Red's blueprint, lifting design choices that work and perpetuating some that don't.
The Blood of Dawnwalker centers on a vampiric protagonist navigating a dark fantasy world. The structure mirrors Witcher 3's approach. Monster hunting contracts form the backbone of progression. Side quests branch into morally gray scenarios where choices ripple through the narrative. Character relationships develop through dialogue trees that feel familiar to anyone who spent time with Geralt.
The comparison cuts both ways. Dawnwalker copies Witcher 3's stronger elements. Quest design moves beyond typical "kill X enemies" fetch work. NPCs react to your decisions. The atmosphere leans into gothic horror rather than generic fantasy. Combat borrows the stamina-and-cooldown system that made Witcher 3 feel weighty and deliberate.
Where Dawnwalker struggles, it mirrors Witcher 3's weaknesses too. Camera angles create visibility problems during close-quarters fights. Movement feels stiff outside combat. Dialogue occasionally drags with unnecessary exposition. PC Gamer's reviewer noticed pacing issues in the opening hours, where story beats don't hit with the same punch.
The vampire angle differentiates the experience somewhat. Bloodlust mechanics create resource management tension. Feeding becomes a strategic choice, not just flavor. The protagonist's transformation offers unique storytelling opportunities that Witcher 3 couldn't explore through Geralt's humanity.
Dawnwalker launches in early access, giving developer Spiders room to refine what works and cut what doesn't. The four-hour preview suggests a game