The future of The Blood of Dawnwalker series might see a significant shift, as developer Rebel Wolves is open to removing the unique time management mechanic that characterized the first game. Director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz indicated in an interview with Eurogamer that this divisive feature may not carry over to subsequent titles.
In the original The Blood of Dawnwalker, players manage a 30-day in-game clock to save the protagonist Coen's family from a vampire lord. Time advances only when players complete quests or level up skills, a design choice intended to create urgency and prevent the open-world RPG from feeling overly bloated. However, this mechanic has met with mixed reactions from the player base.
Tomaszkiewicz acknowledged the complaints surrounding the time mechanic, stating that he anticipated it would be an issue. He explained that the system would be implemented in future installments only if it meaningfully served the narrative and gameplay. "If we will have parts of the story, or the whole story, to which it fits, then we will use it. If we will have stories where it does not fit, we will not force it," he told Eurogamer. "We will play with this system and we will try to use it to boost the urgency of some events in the game. But I'm not saying that in every game we will have the same scheme or loop."
Despite player concerns, Tomaszkiewicz noted that around 80% of the game's content is still accessible within the time limit, suggesting it is less restrictive than it may appear. He also drew parallels to other open-world RPGs like The Witcher 3, where players cannot experience all content in a single playthrough due to branching questlines and consequences.
Some players have already sought to circumvent the mechanic, with a popular mod on Nexus Mods allowing for its adjustment or complete removal. This reflects a segment of the community that desires more freedom to explore at their own pace. Conversely, other players have found the time limit effective in heightening the stakes of the narrative.
Polygon's Marloes Valentina Stella noted in her impressions of the game that the time system "doesn't feel oppressive. In fact, knowing I can spend infinite amounts of time exploring the world without advancing in-game time is incredibly freeing. As the time cost is always displayed beforehand, it's always a deliberate choice."
The Blood of Dawnwalker, developed by Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by former CD Projekt Red developers, has achieved significant commercial success, selling over a million copies in its first three days. The studio is reportedly already working on a sequel and is actively seeking to expand its development team. The decision regarding the time mechanic's return will likely be a key point of discussion as the development of the sequel progresses.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is currently available on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.