WORLD 003 / EARLY DEVELOPMENT
Beyond
the Waking
A Dream Fighter Chronicles Adventure
Five cousins.
One extraordinary world.
Title and features are subject to change. Artwork shows the creative direction, not in-game footage.
CINEMATIC & 3D TRAILER
A first glimpse of the Dream World.
54 seconds in the world we're imagining.
A 54-second cinematic and 3D trailer combining illustrated concept animation, a newly rendered Haley character study, and footage of the Danny/Gabby reunion in the Unreal prototype. Haley's new model is not yet in gameplay. Edited orchestral music and original sound effects; no voice acting. Early development.
Music: "Discovery" by Scott Buckley, https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/discovery/ Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Edited excerpt, volume automation and additional original sound effects for this trailer.
Danny's illustrated facial design draws on Snow Rig by the Blender Foundation, licensed under CC BY 4.0. The trailer uses illustrated adaptations, not renders of the rig. Snow Rig source · CC BY 4.0 · Full trailer credits
AN EXTRAORDINARY KIND OF FAMILY STORY
Some worlds
you discover.
This one, you share.
When five cousins discover that their dreams connect them to another world, ordinary childhood becomes an extraordinary adventure.
Guided by family—and threatened by the mysterious Sarlak—they must learn to trust their abilities and one another.
Beyond the Waking is a third-person action-adventure in development, inspired by Calvin Locke’s Dream Fighter Chronicles. Its planned cel-shaded world blends expressive cartoon characters, luminous magic, ancient academies, and the warmth and humor of a family discovering what it can accomplish together.
DIFFERENT GIFTS. A SHARED ADVENTURE.
Stronger
together.
A first look at the planned abilities.
Select a cousin to explore their gift.
HALEY / SOAR & SHIELD
A little lift.
A little protection.
Soar and shield with Haley. Her planned abilities bring flight and protection to the cousins’ shared adventure.
PLANNED CHARACTER ABILITYSwitch between cousins with complementary powers. Combine their abilities to overcome obstacles, rescue loved ones, and free enemies from Sarlak’s influence.
Concept art for Beyond the Waking. Working title; not in-game footage.
FROM THE PAGE TO THE DREAM WORLD
Courage.
Imagination.
Family.
Inspired by Discovery, Sarlak’s Revenge, and United They Stand, the adventure explores courage, imagination, and the bonds that make a family stronger.
Inspired by Calvin Locke’s
Dream Fighter Chronicles
The first steps into a bigger world.
An early Unreal Engine prototype. The title, visual direction, and planned features are still evolving.
Elsewhere in the same universe, separate retro platforming and academy-sport concepts are also being explored.
FOLLOW THE WORLD AS IT TAKES SHAPE
Every dream starts
somewhere.
The cinematic and 3D trailer is here. Follow Empire Nexus Studio notes for future news, artwork, and development updates from Beyond the Waking.
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