Few literary universes evoke a sense of awe and intrigue quite like Frank Herbert’s Dune – and the recent films have only reinvigorated this. With Dune: Awakening, Funcom aims to immerse players in the dangerous world of Arrakis, crafting a survival MMO that captures the essence of the desert planet while offering a fresh twist on its familiar lore. Our hands-on time with the game at Gamescom gave us a glimpse into what could be one of the most ambitious Dune adaptations yet.
What We Know
Dune: Awakening is an open-world survival MMO set in an alternate timeline where key events from the Dune lore have taken a different turn. In this version of Arrakis, Paul Atreides was never born, Lady Jessica remained loyal to the Bene Gesserit, and Duke Leto survived the Harkonnen assault on Arrakeen. Players are thrust into this reshaped world to uncover the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of the Fremen while navigating a complex web of political intrigue and survival challenges.
The game offers a persistent world shared with hundreds of other players, where survival hinges on mastering the harsh desert environment. Core gameplay elements include crafting, exploration, and base building, with spice – still the most valuable resource in the universe -playing a central role in the game’s economy. Players will need to balance their resource management with the ever-present danger of sandworms, rival factions, and the shifting sands of Arrakis.
In terms of gameplay mechanics outside of survival and crafting, Dune: Awakening promises a mix of combat, stealth, and strategy. Players can align themselves with major houses like Atreides or Harkonnen, join guilds, and participate in large-scale conflicts to control the flow of spice. The game will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with Funcom drawing from their experience with games like Conan Exiles to craft a robust online experience.
What We Saw
At Gamescom, we had the opportunity to go hands-on with an early build of Dune: Awakening. The demo allowed us to explore the game world at our own pace while chatting with the developers from Funcom. They showcased several key features, including the crafting system and vehicle mechanics, and gave us access to more advanced tools like the iconic Ornithopter, which allowed us to traverse the vast desert landscape more efficiently.
What We Thought
Our time with Dune: Awakening left us with a mix of excitement and cautious optimism. The game’s setting captures the look and feel of Arrakis beautifully, from its endless dunes to the ominous presence of sandworms lurking beneath the surface. Funcom’s attention to detail in bringing this world to life is commendable, and fans of the Dune franchise will likely appreciate the faithful adaptation of its aesthetics.
The narrative setup is intriguing, especially with the alternate timeline twist that diverges from the well-known story of Paul Atreides. However, as with many survival MMOs, the narrative progression might be a slow burn, and we didn’t see any of it during our hands on time. The challenge for Funcom will be keeping players engaged beyond the core survival mechanics. The promise of uncovering the fate of the Fremen and navigating the power dynamics of Arrakis has potential, but it remains to be seen how deeply the storytelling will intertwine with the gameplay.
Gameplay-wise, Dune: Awakening combines familiar MMO elements with unique survival mechanics tailored to the harsh desert environment. Crafting tools and managing resources like water are crucial for survival, and the ever-present threat of sandworms adds a layer of tension to exploration. The addition of vehicles like the Ornithopter enhances the sense of scale and freedom, but the game world we explored felt quite barren when traversing it on foot or with a slower vehicle. While this aligns with the desolate nature of Arrakis, maintaining player interest in such a sparse environment will be a challenge. Funcom will need to balance authenticity with engaging gameplay loops to keep the experience fresh.
Visually, the game is stunning, with detailed environments that bring the harsh beauty of Arrakis to life, from the vast deserts to the intricate settlements you come across. The audio design complements the visuals, with atmospheric sounds that immerse players in the world’s dangers and mysteries. However, as with any early build, there are still some rough edges, and it’s clear that Funcom has more work to do before the game’s final release.
Overall, Dune: Awakening has the potential to be a standout title in the survival MMO genre, especially with its unique take on the Dune lore. With stunning visuals, intriguing narrative possibilities, and a focus on player-driven exploration and conflict, it’s shaping up to be an exciting addition to the world of Arrakis. The key challenge will be ensuring that the gameplay remains engaging over time, especially given the vast and often empty landscapes of the desert planet. But with Funcom’s track record and the rich lore of Dune to draw from, there’s every reason to be hopeful for what’s to come.
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