A game that looks kind to older PCs

The Blood of Dawnwalker, the dark-fantasy action RPG from Rebel Wolves, is shaping up to be one of the more visually ambitious titles in the genre. The studio was founded by CD Projekt Red veterans, and the game has drawn attention for its open-world design and choice-driven gameplay. But for PC players, the more striking news is the hardware it will run on: the minimum requirements are surprisingly modest.

According to Digital Trends, the minimum spec asks for a GTX 1060 or RX 580, paired with 16GB of RAM, while the recommended spec lists an RTX 4060, RX 7600 XT, or Intel Arc B580. Those numbers are considerably less intimidating than what we've seen attached to many modern AAA games. There is a catch, though: the requirements assume upscaling at the Balanced setting, using technologies such as DLSS, FSR, or XeSS. That's becoming increasingly common, but it's worth remembering when looking at those figures. Still, the fact that a GTX 1060 or RX 580 is enough for the game's entry-level 1080p/30fps target is encouraging—these GPUs predate the current generation of AI-powered upscaling, so the game should have plenty of breathing room for older hardware at native resolutions if expectations are kept sensible.

Console modes: quality over speed

On consoles, The Blood of Dawnwalker will offer two graphics modes on PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X: Quality and Balanced. As reported by InvenGlobal, the Quality mode targets 30fps at dynamic 4K resolution, while the Balanced mode aims for up to 40fps in the same dynamic 4K environment. The frame rate targets remain the same on the PS5 Pro, although both modes offer enhanced visual quality compared to the standard models. Thanks to a narrower resolution scaling range, the display achieves significantly sharper visuals.

One important caveat: a 120Hz display is essential to fully enjoy the 40fps Balanced mode. Because outputting 40fps at equal intervals on a 60Hz display is difficult, the system relies on repeating each frame three times in a 120Hz environment. The newly released video specifies that the maximum frame rate across all console hardware is 40fps, confirming that a 60fps option will not be provided.

Digital Trends frames the absence of a 60fps mode as a potential disappointment, especially on the PS5 Pro, where the more powerful console still can't break past 40fps. The outlet notes that a 40fps mode is preferable to 30fps, but gamers accustomed to 60fps may find the ceiling a little hard to swallow.

Why the cap?

InvenGlobal attributes the frame rate cap to the game's development on Unreal Engine 5 and its massive open-world nature. The decision appears to prioritize resolution and visual detail, though it strays somewhat from the recent trend of modern console games offering 60fps as a standard option. Players expressed disappointment immediately following the reveal, with InvenGlobal noting the omission even on the high-performance PS5 Pro.

Release date and what's next

According to InvenGlobal, The Blood of Dawnwalker is scheduled to officially launch on September 3 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game's publisher, Rebel Wolves, has not commented on the possibility of a 60fps mode in a future update. For now, PC players with slightly older rigs may find this one of the more welcoming AAA releases, while console owners will have to choose between visual fidelity and a smoother, though still capped, framerate.