Arrakis. Dune. The desert planet. For years, the galaxy’s sole source of the life-prolonging spice has been a tightly controlled territory, but something has shifted.
Of course, the “something” is the fact that there is a new Dune game in town, and an ambitious one. Of course it’s not surprising, coming from the developers of Conan Exiles, another impressive adaptation and expansion of a literary source material.
So… what makes Dune: Awakening worth giving a shot when it releases for everybody on June 10?
1. You haven’t heard this story before.
Although Funcom’s new survival adapts the setting of Frank Herbert’s all-time science fiction classic, in terms of overarching plot it’s more of an alternate timeline.
Paul Atreides was never born to be the heir of the House and the leader of the Fremen. The Fremen themselves are gone, or in hiding, and nobody knows where they are. The Atreides-Harkonnen war over Arrakis wasn’t resolved in one fateful night, but sprang into a massive war, because Duke Leto stayed in command.
And then there is your character, sent to the planet to figure out just what in the Shai-Hulud is going on.
It’s a unique setup, and a great foundation for the game’s intricate systems such as…
2. Desert survival
Arrakis doesn’t take prisoners, you learn its ways, or you die. Dune Awakening’s survival mechanics reflect the importance of acquiring and recycling water, the essential nature of life-saving stillsuits, and of finding shelter against both the heat and the raging sandstorms.
And, of course, there are the sandworms, living calamities attracted to rhythmic sounds.
3. Become a person of influence
Dune is in no small part about grand-scale politics involving great noble houses and their feuds, as well as machinations of factions such as the Bene Gesserit. Dune Awakening strives to capture that layer of the source material as well.
As a result, your character will be able to climb the social strata of the side they choose to ally themselves with, gaining access to valuable resources, including gear and unique craftable technologies. On a greater scale, you’ll be able to create a guild with other players, and engage in a server-wide Landsraad politics, issuing gameplay-affecting decrees.
4. Knives-out PvP
While optional, it might just be the option you want to engage with. As Harkonnens and the Atreides fight it out, so will you be able to join the war, be it with your shield on and knife out, or in a vehicle raining death on the ground troops. The Deep Desert is not friendly, but it is exciting, and if you’re interested in PvP, that’s where you are likely to spend a lot of good time.
5. Power and progression
You won’t need to rely solely on universal skills. You will be able to learn from the experts, be it mastering the trickery and command of Gene Gesserit, studying the blade with the Ginaz Swordmasters, opening your mind like the Mentats, or following the paths of other schools. Each of them will offer a valuable selection of abilities drastically improving your chances of survival and success.
And then there is the spice, of course, and its own secrets. Dare to try it, and it will expand your consciousness.
You don’t hate sand, do you?
Dune Awakening has grand ambitions, with features to excite both solo players and fans of playing with others. Funcom’s experience with adapting existing worlds and the available material suggest that this trip to Arrakis will be thrilling also to fans of the source material.
Are you going to join the war for spice when the game becomes available on June 10?