"Like Guitar Hero and Max Payne": Developers Talk About Combat in The Blood of Dawnwalker

The director of The Blood of Dawnwalker revealed that the game's combat system is inspired by Max Payne and Guitar Hero and is based on directional strikes and blocks.

The Blood of Dawnwalker aims to differentiate itself from modern RPGs. The game's director, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, who previously worked on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, said that the team was inspired by Max Payne and Guitar Hero when creating the combat system.

The developers wanted to avoid battles that look like a spectacle from the outside. Instead of automatic spectacular animations, players will need to monitor enemy movements, analyze their attacks, and react correctly. Tomaszkiewicz compared mastering the mechanics to Guitar Hero: at first, it seems difficult, but over time it becomes natural and enjoyable.

Combat will be based on directional strikes and blocks. The player will choose the side of attack, and parrying will require correctly identifying the direction of the opponent's strike.

The day and night cycle will play an important role. During the day, Koen fights as an ordinary warrior, but at night he transforms into a vampire with access to supernatural abilities.

The developers note that the system has been developed over years through continuous testing and redesigns.

The Blood of Dawnwalker will be released on September 3, 2026, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.