Rebel Wolves has reversed its initial console performance decision for The Blood of Dawnwalker. After gameplay footage showed the action RPG targeting 40 frames per second on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the studio confirmed that a free day-one update will add a 60 FPS Performance Mode to both platforms.
What happened
The change follows a strong reaction to the game's console gameplay trailer. The footage indicated that the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions would target 40 FPS rather than 60 FPS, a limitation that drew criticism because responsive performance is especially important in an action-focused RPG.
Rebel Wolves said Performance Mode had already been under development but was still going through testing when the trailer was released. Feedback from players prompted the team to accelerate the next testing phase, and the studio now says the results are strong enough to make the mode available on launch day through a free patch.
The update will give players three graphics options on PS5 and Xbox Series X: 60 FPS in Performance Mode, 40 FPS in Balanced Mode, and 30 FPS in Quality Mode. The PS5 Pro version will receive broader visual enhancements, although the developer has not explained precisely what those improvements will include.
Why it matters
For a combat-heavy adventure, the move to 60 FPS could substantially change how the game feels during exploration and fights. It also gives console players a choice between smoother motion and higher visual quality instead of locking the launch experience to the previously revealed 40 FPS target.
The announcement is also a meaningful response to player feedback. Rebel Wolves did not present Performance Mode as a brand-new idea; rather, it described the feature as unfinished and unconfirmed until testing produced acceptable results. That distinction matters because the studio is now asking players to trust a feature that will arrive alongside the game rather than being demonstrated in the original console footage.
Hardware differences will remain. Xbox Series S will be limited to 30 FPS, while PS5 Pro owners can expect visual improvements without a detailed breakdown of the changes.
What to watch next
The immediate test will be whether the day-one patch delivers a stable 60 FPS experience when The Blood of Dawnwalker launches on September 3. Turning an in-development performance mode into a launch-ready feature is a demanding schedule, particularly when the studio has not yet shown the final settings or explained how much visual quality Performance Mode will sacrifice.
Players should also look for technical comparisons between the different console versions. The most useful early coverage will establish how consistently each mode holds its target, how the PS5 Pro enhancements affect image quality, and whether the 40 FPS Balanced option offers a meaningful middle ground. Rebel Wolves was founded by developers formerly associated with CD Projekt Red, including work on The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, so expectations around its first major project are already high.
Key takeaways for console players
- PS5 and Xbox Series X will receive a 60 FPS Performance Mode through a free day-one update.
- Balanced Mode targets 40 FPS, while Quality Mode targets 30 FPS on those consoles.
- PS5 Pro will include overall visual enhancements, but the specific improvements remain unconfirmed.
- Xbox Series S will run the game at 30 FPS.
- The patch is expected alongside the game's September 3 launch.
Console performance targets
| Platform | Performance options |
|---|---|
| PS5 | 60 FPS Performance, 40 FPS Balanced, 30 FPS Quality |
| Xbox Series X | 60 FPS Performance, 40 FPS Balanced, 30 FPS Quality |
| PS5 Pro | Overall visual enhancements; modes not detailed |
| Xbox Series S | 30 FPS |
Expert View
This is the right outcome for players, but it is also a credibility test for Rebel Wolves. Confirming 60 FPS after the initial backlash shows the studio is listening, yet a promise made shortly before launch must be backed by consistent performance in the finished game. If the patch succeeds, the reversal will look like an effective response to feedback; if it struggles, the original 40 FPS footage will seem like a warning the team should have addressed earlier.

