The Blood of Dawnwalker: Steam users criticize the lack of a Russian version and poor optimization
- The game was released on September 3 for PC and consoles, priced at 4,999–5,719 rubles.
- Critics rated it 83–88%, Steam users – 71% positive.
- The lack of a Russian translation and poor optimization are criticized.
- The peak number of online players on Steam reached 44.3 thousand.
On September 3, 2024, the global release of the ambitious vampire role-playing game The Blood of Dawnwalker took place. The project was released by Bandai Namco and developed by Rebel Wolves, which includes key staff who worked on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. The game is available on PC (Steam, GOG, Microsoft Store) and consoles PS5 and Xbox Series X, with prices in the Russian market ranging from 4,999 to 5,719 rubles.
Plot and gameplay
The action unfolds in a forgotten corner of the Carpathians in the 14th century. The player takes on the role of the half-vampire Cohen, who is given 30 days and nights to save his family from the powerful vampire Brensis. The game features a time limitation system that requires the player to plan their actions, as well as a dynamic combat system that combines melee combat and magic.
Critics rated The Blood of Dawnwalker between 83–88% positive reviews, but the Steam user base was more stringent: out of 1,100+ ratings, only 71% marked the game as 'mostly positive.' Players praise the original storyline, well-thought-out combat mechanics, and interesting time constraints.
The main complaints concern the technical side. Users note the lack of an official Russian translation, which makes the game inaccessible to a significant part of the Russian-speaking audience. Additionally, many point out low optimization: frequent FPS drops, long loading times, and unstable frame rates even on modern PCs. The high price combined with inconvenient controls also diminishes the perception of the project. One player, known by the nickname Zanudych, summarized the situation with the phrase 'For now, it's unplayable.'
According to the unofficial SteamDB database, the peak concurrent players in The Blood of Dawnwalker reached 44.3 thousand people. For Rebel Wolves' debut project, such figures indicate interest, but they do not allow for a definitive judgment on long-term popularity.
The studio is led by former The Witcher 3 director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz and his younger brother, creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, who previously oversaw quests in Cyberpunk 2077. Their experience promised high expectations, but the lack of localization and technical issues undermine players' trust.
The absence of a Russian translation is particularly painful in the context of the current geopolitical situation, where Ukrainian and Russian-speaking audiences often seek quality content that supports their cultural interests. For developers, this is a signal to invest in localization and optimization to retain the Eastern European market.
Overall, The Blood of Dawnwalker represents an interesting experiment with the vampire RPG genre, but the current technical limitations and lack of localization make it less accessible to a wider audience, especially in Russia and Ukraine.
Source: 3DNews
