UE5 Fantasy Open-World Adventure Combines Chinese Mythology, Dynamic Ecosystems and Emergent Physics-Driven Gameplay
China – September 21, 2026 – Following a year of intensive development since its original reveal, Of Peaks and Tides, developed by CyancookGames, returns with a significantly expanded vision of survival crafting. Built in Unreal Engine 5 and inspired by the mythology and creatures of ancient China, the fantasy open-world sandbox adventure combines survival, exploration, construction and combat with a highly reactive world where players are encouraged to create their own solutions.
Built around the philosophy of Boundless Creativity, Imaginative Combat, Of Peaks and Tides puts the environment itself in the player’s hands. Natural disasters can become weapons, giant creatures can become mobile bases, and almost anything in the world can be used in unexpected ways.
ENTER THE WORLD OF EVERLAND
Of Peaks and Tides takes players into Everland, a vast world inspired by Eastern mythology. Once connected to the gods, the land was shattered after a conflict between Heaven and Earth severed their connection, leaving humanity abandoned and civilisation in ruins.
Players awaken as the Nolands, beginning with nothing and setting out to survive, explore and uncover the secrets of a forgotten world. Gathering resources, building and fighting are just the beginning, as players gradually uncover the remnants of lost civilisations and ultimately confront the gods who abandoned humanity.
Boundless Creativity, Imaginative Combat
Powered by Unreal Engine 5’s highly reactive physics systems, Of Peaks and Tides is designed around emergent gameplay, allowing players to experiment with the environment rather than relying on fixed solutions.
Sandstorms and blizzards can influence combat. Plants can be used to trap giant creatures or manipulate their movements. Tamed beasts can carry mobile bases, while enormous flying creatures can transport players across the world.
In a world where everyday objects and unconventional creations can become weapons, the result is a survival experience where imagination and experimentation can be just as important as traditional tools and equipment.
Eastern Mythology, Reimagined
Move beyond the familiar settings of survival crafting and explore a world inspired by the mythology and creatures of ancient China. From Fuzhu and Little Taotie to Mischievous Monkeys and the Giant Xi, Everland is populated by creatures inspired by Shan Hai Jing, creating a distinctive fantasy ecosystem.
A World Where Anything Can Be a Weapon
The game’s physics-driven systems encourage players to experiment with the objects and resources around them. From berry hammers to beehive hammers, unexpected combinations can become surprisingly effective weapons, even against powerful bosses.
Nature Is Part of the Battle
Sandstorms and blizzards aren’t simply environmental hazards. Players can exploit natural disasters and changing conditions to disrupt enemies, reshape encounters and turn the environment to their advantage.
Build on the Back of a Giant Beast
Bases don’t have to stay in one place. Players can tame enormous creatures and construct mobile bases on their backs, while giant flying beasts provide another way to explore and cross Everland.
A Living Ecosystem
Creatures hunt, hide and respond to their surroundings rather than simply waiting for players to attack. Combined with the game’s dynamic environments, this creates encounters that can unfold differently depending on what is happening around them.
Explore a World of Myth and Lost Civilisations
From Cangmu Source and lush forests to vast deserts and snow-covered peaks, Everland offers a diverse range of biomes to explore, each bringing its own challenges and discoveries as players journey across the world.
A YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT
Since its reveal last year, the development team has spent a full year refining and expanding Of Peaks and Tides following strong interest from players and media worldwide.
The latest version features more dynamic environments, enhanced visual effects, expanded environmental interactions, and larger-scale boss encounters, representing a substantial evolution from the original reveal.
The two-day offline hands-on event in Shanghai gave more than 500 local players their first chance to experience these developments in person, and to release new gameplay footage and material from the latest version, covering systems including but not limited to crafting, natural disasters, and the road-and-bridge system. Many have since shared their own gameplay footage on local channels.
About CyancookGames
CyancookGames is an independent studio composed of video game veterans with experience at Tencent and on titles such as Naraka Bladepoint and Diablo Immortal. The team is committed to agile, creative game development and strives to craft immersive experiences they want to see in the market.
