After nearly a decade in development, Cygames has confirmed that Project Awakening is entering an intensive production phase. The studio is pivoting from its proprietary Cyllista engine to Unreal Engine 5 to achieve higher graphical fidelity. The RPG, which first debuted in 2016, will feature tactical, weightier combat, moving away from the high-speed systems seen in Granblue Fantasy: Relink.
The Shift to Unreal Engine 5
Cygames confirmed the transition to Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 as a core strategy to modernize the title’s visual output. Studio representatives stated that the move is intended to facilitate “hyper-realistic” graphics. This shift represents a significant departure from the original plan to utilize the proprietary Cyllista engine, which was the focus when the project was first unveiled as the studio’s inaugural major console effort.
The development team for Project Awakening now includes personnel who worked on the combat systems for Granblue Fantasy: Relink, though the gameplay direction for this project is intentionally different.
Combat Mechanics and Tactical Realism
While the team includes veterans from Granblue Fantasy: Relink, Cygames clarified that Project Awakening will not share its predecessor’s high-octane pace. According to the studio, the gameplay will prioritize slower, more methodical tactical encounters. The design emphasizes timing, blocking, and dodging over rapid-fire inputs.
The studio is also focusing on environmental animation. Combatants will react dynamically to the terrain, and enemies will not rely on canned animations when defeated. Instead, the developers aim to implement systems where opponents continue to struggle or respond to physical trauma throughout the encounter.
Cross-Studio Collaboration
Production is currently distributed across Cygames’ teams in Tokyo and Osaka. By consolidating resources following the successful releases of Granblue Fantasy: Versus and Granblue Fantasy: Relink, the studio has signaled a renewed focus on completing the project. While no formal release date has been set, the increase in development activity suggests that the public may see new trailers or gameplay demonstrations in the coming months.
Pro Tip: Tracking Development Milestones
For long-gestating projects like Project Awakening, look for changes in engine technology or studio-wide resource shifts. These are often the most reliable indicators that a title has moved from a conceptual “limbo” into active production cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Project Awakening still in development?
Yes. Cygames confirmed the project is in an intensive phase of production with teams in Tokyo and Osaka working on the game.
Why did the developers change the game engine?
The team switched from the proprietary Cyllista engine to Unreal Engine 5 to achieve a higher level of “hyper-realistic” graphical quality.
Will the game play like Granblue Fantasy: Relink?
No. Cygames has stated that Project Awakening will be slower and more tactical, with a focus on realism and timing rather than the fast-paced action found in Relink.
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