When Toplitz announced they were working with RealityArts on Unawake, we were surprised – as a dark fantasy action RPG it’s quite different from what we’re used to from the publisher. All the more reason to take a closer look with a preview for the game.
What we know:
Toplitz Productions and RealityArts Studio present Unawake, an ambitious action RPG that throws players into an eternal struggle between the forces of Heaven and Hell. Set against the backdrop of an ancient city’s archaeological site, the game unveils a shocking revelation that catapults the protagonist into an otherworldly underground realm. Players can expect to engage in frantic first-person melee combat, set in surreal environments crafted with Unreal Engine 5 for great visual effect when you consider the small size of the development team. With over 20 skills and a deep customization system, players must adapt to ever-evolving adversaries. Unawake also promises a narrative, fusing science fiction, history, and dark fantasy, in a game that somewhat resembles Techland’s Hellraid.
What we saw:
We had the privilege of experiencing Unawake through an early hands-off demo at Gamescom 2023 and later got hands-on with a preview build of the game ahead of this preview.
What we thought:
Unawake emerges as a visually stunning action RPG that immerses players in a first-person perspective, breaking from the traditional top-down view usually associated with the genre. The dark and gritty atmosphere, which has been realized well through Unreal Engine 5, sets the stage for an atmospheric journey. The stunning visuals and exceptional sound design in Unawake – which stands out even more when you consider this is coming from a really small team – also help to draw players into the game’s world.
Combat is multi-faceted, offering a range of approaches from light and heavy attacks to special skills – with the first person perspective making combat feel weighty and visceral. The potential for diverse weapon types and further refinement of core combat mechanics hold promise for an even more rewarding gameplay experience down the road as well, as the build we played will be heavily expanded upon in terms of content in the months to come.
We’re also hoping the combat system will be tweaked more over time, as some adversaries feel less engaging due to knockback mechanics and rapid-fire attacks that can be frustrating. The challenge teeters on the edge of being unfairly punishing rather than providing an opportunity for skill improvement, though this could of course be due to the fact that we were only playing a preview build. This meant there were also a few small bugs and UI issues, but these were easy enough to look past. As the game evolves towards its 2024 release, we’re eagerly anticipating how far this small development team will be able to carry what is undoubtedly a very ambitious title. With some further refinement, Unawake has the potential to be an indie gem in the action RPG genre.
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