In a realm brimming with countless games at our disposal, the beloved genre can easily become tiresome. Despite an urgent desire for something novel, if the newest offering isn’t a sequel, prequel, remaster, or remake, the excitement rarely reaches its full potential due to apprehension about the unfamiliar. Personally, I favor RPGs and action-RPGs, yet recent entries have failed to captivate me…until this moment.

I had the opportunity to experience a one-hour preview of *The Blood of Dawnwalker* from the new studio, [Rebel Wolves](https://rebel-wolves.com/en) and [Bandai Namco](https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/towa-and-the-guardians-of-the-sacred-tree/). I can assert with confidence that they are offering a vibrant approach to the action-RPG genre, and I am both thrilled and anxious to dive in.

During our demonstration, we witnessed what I believe to be the game’s introductory cutscene, followed by a quest line set later in the game when you would have become acquainted with the distinctive gameplay loop and your skills. That opening cutscene had me enthralled. I wish to maintain the element of surprise for other players, but in just those initial moments, I felt fear, sorrow, terror, and fury establishing the ambiance for your journey in *The Blood of Dawnwalker*.

### “Detective skills will play a crucial role in The Blood of Dawnwalker, as investigations will grant you access to new insights, dialogue choices, or the subsequent portion of a quest.”

The game is constructed using Unreal Engine 5, and the cutscene was stunningly crafted. Sweat shimmered on the character’s skin, and you could see their breath in the frosty air. The audio and voice performances were equally impressive. If this level of quality persists, there’s something genuinely extraordinary unfolding here.

What I can reveal about the narrative is that you take on the role of Coen, a man in 14th-century Europe, amidst the creeping Black Plague. The Vrakhiri—essentially their interpretation of a vampire (bringing to mind the Volturi, *[Twilight](https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/features/five-blood-sucking-vampire-classics-to-watch-instead-of-twilight/),* perhaps?)—sought to transform you into one of their own. However, you evolved into something different. You are a Dawnwalker—though this revelation occurs later in the story. Fortunately, some narrative elements were left out for me, and I am genuinely curious to piece things together when I get to play the game myself. As a Dawnwalker, you possess the ability to…well, walk at dawn. You can exist in both sunlight and darkness.

This introduces one of several distinctive mechanics in *The Blood of Dawnwalker*. While you can live during both day and night, your array of skills differs for each time period. To demonstrate this, Rebel Wolves guided us through the same quest on two occasions, once by day and once by night, highlighting the pros and cons of each scenario. At night, you gain access to a teleportation ability that facilitates movement more easily than during daylight. The lighter crowds also contribute to this advantage. You battle using sharp claws and powers, although I don’t believe we encountered any combat capabilities in the demo.

By day, you’ll find more people to interact with and investigate, to start with. You wield magic and a sword regarding combat. One unique ability you have as a human is communicating with the deceased to uncover details about past events and advance your investigations. From what I gathered, detective skills will be essential in *The Blood of Dawnwalker*, as delving into mysteries will open pathways to new information, potentially providing fresh dialogue options or guiding you to the next quest segment.

Questing presents another intricate mechanic in *The Blood of Dawnwalker*. Certain quests will necessitate your Vrakhiri form, while others require your human form, particularly based on the time of day. You can undertake quests at any point, with a non-linear structure, allowing for flexibility in your gameplay experience across different playthroughs. This leads to another mechanic: not every quest will be available to you.

As part of a storyline element that I’m not privy to yet, you have a limited timeframe to rescue your family. This is not an RPG that goes on indefinitely. You must decide who to assist and which quests to pursue. Some will push time forward, in days or units, and you have only 30 days. A segment of the story appears to navigate the moral complexities between good and

Digital collectibles have emerged as a crucial element of contemporary gaming culture. Whether it’s a mythical outfit in Fortnite or a limited-time remote, these items often hold a significance that transcends mere aesthetics. They signify time invested, shared community experiences, and at times, a player’s entire gaming persona.

In the current digital landscape, personal expression is equally vital as it is in real life. These digital assets serve as more than just embellishments—they represent status, reminiscences, and occasionally, key components of the gaming journey.

## From Show-off to Identity: The Motivation Behind Collecting

Players have a clear motivation for hunting down Fortnite bundles. It seldom revolves only around eye-catching cosmetics—it’s about entering the game with a look or style that feels uniquely personal. For many, these assets are visual reflections of their preferences, gaming history, or even current mood.

The social aspect of online gaming indicates that a character’s aesthetic can be as important as the gameplay itself. Cosmetic items enrich that expression, transforming each match into not just a competition but also a display.

## Rarity Renders It Unique

Game creators have long recognized the influence of exclusivity. Time-sensitive events, seasonal rewards, and region-specific drops generate urgency. Rarity increases worth—and with digital collectibles, that exclusivity signifies participation in a particular moment in a game’s history.

Acquiring a skin or emote during a major update or crossover event does more than just provide an item—it gifts players a digital keepsake from a shared, time-specific experience.

## Collecting as an Additional Layer of Gameplay

For many players, gathering items evolves into a secondary gameplay experience. Whether it’s constructing a complete cosmetic ensemble, pursuing rare pickaxes, or unlocking themed emotes, this collection layer introduces its own objectives and satisfaction. Even post-final boss defeat or after the ranked season concludes, there’s always another target to pursue.

This mindset is akin to achievement hunting or trophy collection. Players aren’t just grinding—they’re creating something that embodies their time and effort in a meaningful way.

### Is It Worth the Investment?

The worth of digital collectibles is profoundly subjective. For some, they provide joy, immersion, and pride. For others, they might serve as optional enhancements without affecting gameplay. Nevertheless, their increasing significance in digital economies illustrates how crucial they’ve become in players’ interactions with games.

Bundles in particular strike a chord—comprising outfits, gliders, and emotes that not only conserve time but also offer cohesive themes and narrative possibilities. When collecting feels deliberate and aesthetically pleasing, it tends to be more fulfilling.

## Digital Collectibles, Genuine Significance

Ultimately, what renders in-game collectibles “valuable” is not their cost or power — it is their significance. It might be the gratification of having something rare, the personal connection to a cosmetic collection, or simply a way to celebrate the games you cherish through your character’s visual representation.

For those eager to deepen their collecting experience, the broader gaming ecosystem now provides numerous avenues to do so—expanding past in-game stores and offering players more flexible access and choices, without being restricted by a single platform’s update timeline.

At times, collecting transcends advantage or resale potential — it embodies expression, memory, and the personal narratives that develop throughout every match.

CGMagazine had an entire team present on the gamescom 2025 exhibition floor, dedicating ourselves to experiencing as many games as possible during our time there. We traversed the expansive halls of Koelnmesse throughout the week, encountering everything from a colossal World of Warcraft: Midnight portal to a stunning Zenless Zone Zero Aston Martin. We engaged with extraction shooters, strategy titles, a plethora of horror games, and cozy games so adorable it was overwhelming.

After sampling over 50 titles during four days, CGM has narrowed down its selections for Best of Gamescom 2025. These games left us eager for more immersive experiences, prompting us to inquire further with developers and, in certain instances, pleading for release dates. Whether it was an innovative twist on a genre like The Blood of Dawnwalker, a highly anticipated sequel such as Hollow Knight: Silksong, or a game that was so disquieting it lingered in our thoughts like REANIMAL, these are our top picks for Best of Gamescom 2025.

Borderlands 4

Played by: Dayna Eileen
Developer: 2K Games
Game Link

It’s clear that Borderlands 4 is among the most awaited titles of 2025, captivating its loyal fanbase. However, I was unprepared for the intense 30 minutes of action-packed, adrenaline-filled gameplay I experienced while combating waves of foes in the Borderlands realm, which turned out to be among the highlights of gamescom 2025. Thanks to NVIDIA, I had the opportunity to play on an RTX 5090 with DLSS 4, and the performance was impeccable.

2K Games has truly outdone themselves with Borderlands 4. During my brief play session, I hopped from island to island, vanquishing each one before proceeding. I opted for Vex the Siren and utilized her ability to call forth Reapers and Spectres to assist in dispatching enemies. The enjoyment I experienced was astounding, even in moments of defeat, and I can’t wait for the game’s full launch on September 12.

Gods Death & Reapers

Played by: Dayna Eileen
Developer: Wolcen Studio
Game Link

Referred to as an “ExtrAction RPG” by Wolcen Studio, Gods Death & Reapers seeks to introduce a fresh angle to extraction games. With various difficulty settings and a completely solo campaign, I am eager to see how the full version unfolds. Wolcen has also indicated there will be options to preserve specific items, like crafted gear, from being lost during gameplay. Gods Death & Reapers is already demonstrating remarkable detail. The foes I encountered were horrifying, and the atmosphere felt bleak and frigid,