The Stories that Make ‘Blood of the Dawnwalker’ an Unforgettable Journey

I don’t have a straightforward review for you regarding Blood of the Dawnwalker. There are so many reviews, guides, first impressions, etc., about this game that a review ain’t hard to find. My super-quick hitters: Dawnwalker has the DNA of The Witcher 3, but not the specific suburban upbringing with all the advantages that make it untouchable. A great game that redefines how an open world adventure works with Coen, an instantly likable protagonist. Cool customizable combat, very rewarding balance between day and night cycles. The time mechanic is stressful, but awesome. You feel the anxiety of getting things done, but there is a snowball effect that makes you realize you have plenty of time by the end. Like I said, a great game and will be in every Game of the Year conversation. What struck me about Dawnwalker is how it handles narrative, especially compared to your typical open-world adventure game. You are given one mission: Save your family. The prologue introduced a couple of seemingly disconnected side stories you might want to explore. Essentially, the game tells you: Here’s a huge world (Vale Sangora) to navigate. Your mission is to save your family in 30 days. Godspeed. There is no main quest that moves the main story forward. That mission begins and ends when you leave home and enter Brencis’ castle, and as has been documented, you can literally do that at the beginning of the game. The absence of a main story doesn’t mean there aren’t “stories” though. And my god, …