Rebel Wolves Could Be Making The Next Big RPG IP
Something Original Could Be Just What The Industry Needs
Rebel Wolves has made it clear that The Blood of Dawnwalker is just the start of something that could end up being special. There's a reason why the developers have called this the first chapter, and it implies that more is planned with the IP outside this one game. With all the other open-world fantasy RPGs coming from established IPs, whether that be Avowed coming from the Pillars of Eternity franchise, The Witcher 4, or the never-ending wait for Elder Scrolls 6, a new IP in the genre could be a big advantage for Rebel Wolves.
The 30-day time limit could also be a feature unique to the series and help it differentiate itself from The Witcher series, especially since The Witcher 4 is on the horizon. Being a dark fantasy title with a character with special powers and the team's previous work on the series, there will probably always be comparisons with The Witcher series. Riding the coattails of Wild Hunt will help generate hype, but getting out of that game's shadow will be a task in and of itself, considering how beloved it still is ten years on.
Although relying on gimmicks will never make a game great, the best RPGs tend to have something unique to them, and The Blood of Dawnwalker's 30-day timeframe could be the thing people remember from it if it is handled well. Players need to feel the squeeze of the time limit narratively but can't be rushed into missing side quests as a result. If the time limit feels arbitrary, it will probably be treated as an annoyance and something that shouldn't be kept in future installments if The Blood of Dawnwalker performs well.