The True Dangers in Blood of The Dawnwalker Go Beyond Just Vampires

Blood of the Dawnwalker dives deep into Eastern European monster folklore, crafted by a team of former developers from a well-known studio. This naturally invites comparisons to a certain iconic RPG. However, the influence of another title is unmistakable: Dragon Age: Inquisition. Not for its narrative or romance mechanics, but because you can unexpectedly find yourself face-to-face with a bear, a boar, a wolf, or even a demon dog.

I quickly learned this lesson during my early adventures. After taking down a group of bandits, I stumbled upon a treasure map that led me to a cave guarded by a bear. The game features color-coded difficulty markers for enemies, which help indicate whether a foe might be too tough for you. Seeing no red or orange skull next to the bear’s health bar and having dispatched the bandits with ease, I assumed I could handle a single bear. But Dawnwalker is like the Hinterlands of DAI, except the challenge is spread across the entire game. That bear made quick work of me multiple times before I finally returned, much stronger and better prepared.

What makes animal encounters so intense isn’t just the combat itself; it’s the surprise factor. You could be engaged in a fight with a group of soldiers, and if you stray too close to a pack’s expansive aggro zone, suddenly you’re facing 30-50 feral hogs, as illustrated in a helpful post I came across.

Despite the overwhelming odds, the combat is genuinely enjoyable. Dawnwalker features a unique combat system that emphasizes directional attacks and blocking. A UI element indicates the direction of incoming attacks, helping you decide how to block. While you can perform a basic block by holding the button, adding a directional input not only weakens your opponent briefly but also fills your ability meter faster. This system transforms combat into a tactical duel rather than a mindless button-mashing affair, requiring you to read your opponents and react accordingly.

However, in my focus on reading the battlefield, I often lose track of my health and the number of enemies surrounding me. I’ve met my end more times at the jaws of wolves than from any of the game’s vampire foes.