The Blood of Dawnwalker Reviews Arrive With 83 Metacritic Score, Creative Director Calls Response 'A Great Relief'

Reviews for The Blood of Dawnwalker, the vampire-themed RPG from Rebel Wolves, began appearing on August 31 ahead of the game's launch. PC Gamer reports the game releases September 2, while GamesRadar+ lists the launch date as September 3. The game currently holds an 83 score on Metacritic, according to both outlets.

PC Gamer's own review scored the game 83%, describing it as "a resolutely miserable horror RPG with some great ideas." GamesRadar+ gave the game a more cautious three-star rating, with its review stating that "For an RPG that keeps telling me that it matters I've been cursed to be a vampire, and constantly has a clock hanging over my every move, The Blood of Dawnwalker feels too frictionless and forgiving once you get used to its almost theme park-like static nature." GamesRadar+ also noted that "much of The Blood of Dawnwalker feels like The Witcher 3 to control," pointing out that Rebel Wolves was founded by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, who directed The Witcher 3. GamesRadar+ further noted the game's 83 score places it just behind The Witcher (86) and further behind The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (92).

Creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz addressed the reviews on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Waiting for the reviews to come in has been nerve wrecking to say the least, but they're finally (mostly) here!" He added, "Great relief, can't wait to see you all play the game and to hear your thoughts! It's a privilege to work with such a talented Team." GamesRadar+ also quoted him saying, "Every shipped game is a small miracle."

Tomaszkiewicz previously worked at CD Projekt, where according to PC Gamer he served as a quest designer on The Witcher 2, lead quest designer on The Witcher 3, quest design director on Cyberpunk 2077, and game director on Gwent. GamesRadar+ additionally notes he directed Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales and co-directed Gwent: The Witcher Card Game.

Following his post, several former CD Projekt colleagues offered congratulations, according to PC Gamer, including Cyberpunk 2 associate game director Paweł Sasko, The Witcher 4 game director Sebastian Kalemba, level design lead Miles Tost, CD Projekt global comms director Marcin Momot, and composer P.T. Adamczyk. Other developers, including former Kingdom Come: Deliverance director Daniel Vavra and Obsidian's Mikey Dowling, also congratulated the team.

PC Gamer notes The Blood of Dawnwalker is available for pre-purchase on Steam and GOG, with the game set to go live at 6 pm ET on September 2. GamesRadar+ separately reports that the game is getting a 60fps mode at launch after backlash from players, with developers stating, "It was clear how much this mattered to many of you."