Funcom is back with a new title set in the Dune universe, and this time, they’ve raised the stakes with a game that combines elements of survival and MMO gameplay. The studio’s latest project, Dune Awakening, promises to be a fresh take on the iconic science fiction world, offering a unique experience where survival, expansion, and control are key themes. After spending six hours with the game, here’s what we thought.
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Surviving in an Alternate Dune Universe
Dune Awakening is set to launch in early 2025 for PC, with plans for future releases on PS5 and Xbox Series. This follows a long history of Dune-based games, starting with the original Dune (1992), a groundbreaking RTS that became a genre staple, and extending to more recent titles like Dune Spice Wars (2022). We traveled to Oslo for a hands-on session with the game, and our first impressions have us excited.
In this alternative version of the Dune universe, Paul Atreides has never been born. Instead, you play as a customizable character, with options to tweak everything from physical appearance to planet of origin. You can also choose from a variety of classes, including Bene Gesserit, Trooper, Mentat, Swordmaster, and Planetologist. The early stages of the game focus heavily on exploration, where water is an essential and dangerous resource—one that can often lead to death.
Gameplay also involves plenty of farming, crafting weapons and equipment, and building structures using a unique tool that functions like a “pistol.” This is all part of the survival aspect of the game. Players can meet others, but instead of fighting, the initial experience is centered around PvE (Player vs Environment). While the game is still in development, there were some noticeable bugs—like NPCs walking through the air or characters passing under the map. Additionally, the combat mechanics, whether melee or firearms, felt somewhat static and lacked dynamism at this stage.
Expanding and Controlling the Desert
Your ultimate goal in Dune Awakening is to control Arrakis, which we estimate will take about a hundred hours of gameplay to achieve. Once you’ve completed exploration, collected resources, and crafted all your equipment and vehicles, the next phase of the game kicks in—expansion. At this point, the MMO aspect of the game becomes much more prominent, especially as you venture into the Deep Desert.
The PvP (Player vs Player) element is activated here, where you can join factions, with Harkonnen and Atreides being two of the known options. These factions are important because they provide a sense of community and purpose within the massive desert environment. Players can join guilds, participate in faction-based events, and help each other rebuild after the destruction brought on by Coriolis forces—intense storms that ravage everything in their path, forcing you to rebuild your base and resources week after week.
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Overall, the gameplay in this expansive desert world is intense and highly social, with each encounter and challenge pushing players to adapt and cooperate in unique ways.
As Dune Awakening continues its development, the potential for a truly immersive experience is clear. With more dynamic combat and a fleshed-out multiplayer component, this game has the potential to captivate both Dune fans and newcomers to the franchise. Stay tuned for more updates as we await its release!