Does the spell "Awaken" affect the creature's CR?

[Albatoonoe]

So, let's say I wanted to play an awakened ape as a character. Would I need to raise the CR from the base creature to account for the spell's effects?

[Weirdo]

You'd need to take the +2HD into account (which I think is CR +1 or +2, I'm not well-versed in the monster advancement rules), but other than that the spell just turns the animal into a viable character with a normal Int and Cha, so no other adjustments.

[HaraldKlak]

You will probably be better off talking to your GM about making a "race" for the awakened gorilla. While the flavor could be it, it is a lot easier to balance something without racial HD.