Dune: Awakening review: Conquer the desert

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At first, when I learned about Dune: Awakening, I wasn’t entirely sure what kind of game it was. Is it a massively multiplayer online game? A survival game? Or perhaps a single-player open-world RPG? Surprisingly, the answer is yes to all these questions. Given this blend of various gaming genres, Dune: Awakening appears to be a highly ambitious project. It aims to merge gameplay aspects from multiple types of games, all while being set in the renowned sci-fi universe created by Frank Herbert. Though the idea of merging so many distinct gameplay styles might seem extraordinary, when you consider it within the context of the established Dune world, it results in a remarkably original and captivating gaming experience that caters to various types of gamers.

Survive in the desert

Awakening, Paul Atreides never existed, making way for Duke Leto and Lady Jessica to have a daughter named Ariste instead. House Atreides remains strong under their leadership, avoiding the fall to the Harkonnens. However, the most crucial difference lies in the disappearance of the Fremen tribe. Your mission begins as you design your character using an intricate character creation tool, and then stand before a Reverend Mother who assigns you the task of locating the missing Fremen people.

In contrast to many survival games, this one places a strong emphasis on the narrative, integrating it seamlessly into the gameplay mechanics up until the endgame. The story unfolds through cutscenes and dialogue sequences that echo Star Wars: The Old Republic. However, I didn’t find myself deeply engrossed in the tale until its latter stages, when new characters are introduced and the quests become more engaging and intriguing.

In this game, you embark on a primary adventure across the sandy expanse of Arrakis to discover the eight Trials of Aql, guiding you towards the Fremen way. Along the journey, you’ll gather necessary resources for crafting gear essential for surviving in the desert environment. The survival aspect of the game contributes to a slow-paced narrative progression, with my completion taking approximately 80 hours. This lengthiness is not due to the storyline itself but rather the time required to locate objectives independently. Despite the pace, I found the immersion into this world to be the game’s main attraction.

The environment is not your friend

On Arrakis, there are numerous hazards that could prove fatal if not handled with care. One such peril is the intense sun. Overexposure can lead to heatstroke, resulting in dehydration and ultimately compromising your health. To avoid this, it’s crucial to seek shade whenever possible. Additionally, you must find ways to procure water; either by tapping into plant resources or by gathering it from the bodies of fallen adversaries.

Similarly to the Dune movies, sandworms pose a constant danger when traversing sandy expanses. The louder your footsteps or movements in the sand, the higher the chance that a sandworm will appear and attempt to devour you. If it manages to do so, all your belongings are lost. Consequently, navigating the desert feels perilous and akin to an adventure. Whenever I left my base, I would carefully consider what items to bring along and which ones to leave behind. I’d also plan my route to minimize traveling on sandy terrain as much as possible, aiming for solid ground to reduce the risk of being swallowed by a worm.

You should always be ready for unexpected sandstorms that can be lethal and ruin any unprotected vehicles. I’ve often found myself out exploring, only to spot a sandstorm approaching, forcing me to hastily seek cover in a cave or underneath another player’s structure. This level of unpredictability enhances the game’s realism, making it feel like a realistic simulation of life on Arrakis.

In Dune: Awakening, you’ll find an engaging blend of three distinct gaming genres, ensuring a rich and varied experience. If you enjoy the quest-driven narrative of MMOs and RPGs, you’ll find numerous side quests scattered across each map, with every character voiced professionally. For those who prefer survival elements, there are countless items to craft and areas to explore, allowing for collaboration with other players or solo play. Moreover, if you’re a fan of PvP survival games like Rust, the endgame zone offers a fresh challenge for you as well.

No matter your playstyle, a crucial part of the game involves your personal base, which serves as a hub for crafting items, storing vehicles, and providing shelter. The game allows you to construct your own base almost anywhere on the map. Being an MMO, you’ll encounter other players’ bases while exploring the world. It’s fascinating to watch new bases spring up near mine as fresh players join the game. I only wish there were more types of materials for building, but I still loved spending countless hours customizing my home to impress passersby.

A survival MMO

In most Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs), gameplay begins by choosing among five distinct classes, each with its unique skill progression. I opted for the Bene Gesserit class initially, yet the game offers flexibility to combine skills from various classes as you locate their trainers scattered across the map. Consequently, my character evolved into a blend of Bene Gesserit and Trooper, employing the Voice ability to control foes, followed by hurling grenades towards them. The intriguing aspect of the skill system is that it permits switching equipped skills instantly, enabling you to adapt your playstyle to suit each approaching challenge.

In a new twist for survival games, the concept of class-specific skill trees is intriguing, but in practice, I found most skills underwhelming. The enemy AI isn’t complex, making them relatively easy to defeat, so I mostly depended on my weapon to handle encounters. It’s disappointing as I hoped for more depth and variety between the classes and their playstyles.

In essence, Player versus Player (PvP) interactions are limited until you reach the game’s end stages. Within Hagga Basin, the main gaming area, PvP is only active at designated landmarks. To engage in full open world PvP, venture into the Deep Desert, a zone accessible once you have advanced equipment. If you prefer to avoid PvP altogether, the Deep Desert can be bypassed, but it’s crucial to remember that valuable endgame materials are exclusively found there. This means that if you wish to continue advancing beyond the game’s storyline, you’ll need to spend time in the Deep Desert collecting resources.

If you decide to tackle that challenge, remember that it could mean a peak of aggressive player interactions, often referred to as ‘gank’ seasons. Without a supportive guild backing you up, navigating this area safely might prove challenging due to other players vying for control over the desert territories. Similar to Rust, there’s a weekly reset in the Deep Desert where everything is wiped out, ensuring no single player or group amasses too much power and spoils the experience for others.

Clocking in to the game

One key aspect to consider when playing Dune: Awakening is the significant commitment it demands. The game calls for a substantial amount of your time and focus, particularly for solo players. As you approach the endgame, the quantity of resources necessary to craft much of the gear you’ll desire becomes quite extensive. Furthermore, ensuring that your base has enough power to operate all your equipment is essential. Don’t overlook the need to pay taxes weekly – yes, it’s true. All these aspects contribute to the game’s immersion if you intend to play regularly for a while. However, if you find yourself intermittently playing over extended periods, be aware that your base might deteriorate in the PvE zone if left powerless and unattended without timely tax payments.

In terms of gaming performance, Dune: Awakening performs reasonably well on my RTX 4070 Super. While playing the game at top settings, I typically maintained around 102 frames per second (FPS), occasionally dipping into the nineties in specific locations. However, I encountered some significant issues with the climbing mechanics. In fact, almost every time I attempted to climb a surface, there was noticeable lag or rubberbanding that often resulted in me falling off or failing to ascend altogether.

Dune: Awakening Overview

Dune: Awakening is an extensive game that offers a wealth of content to delve into. It’s an ideal choice whether you’re playing with a group or going solo, given its scalability, but be aware it can involve a gradual progression if played alone. I personally believe the game encourages a leisurely pace.

Dune: Awakening invites you to discover its numerous hidden corners, select the ideal location for your base, and grow as you familiarize yourself with Arrakis’ intricacies. The survival systems and world mechanics have been meticulously crafted to create an engaging experience that makes you feel as if you’re on a desert planet.

While some of its immersive features might demand consistent engagement, if you’re up for a long-term commitment, Dune: Awakening offers a rich tapestry of content suitable for various types of players.

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2025-06-24 23:58