Dune: Awakening Brings Scope and Sandworms to Survival Genre

The anticipation for Dune: Awakening , the survival MMO eagerly awaited since its first trailer release a few years ago, is palpable. As we edge closer to the launch, Funcom has given the press a sneak peek at what players can expect. Despite being in the early stages, Dune: Awakening promises an immersive and thrilling experience that stays true to Frank Herbert’s iconic universe while offering survival MMO fans all the best elements for an enthralling experience.

Funcom is no stranger to the vast open-world experiences . Their work on Conan Exiles gave a taste of what the team could do with a licence while offering an exciting new experience. Even with that knowledge, walking into the demo, I was still not prepared for the vastness of Dune: Awakening and how big of an experience it would be for players.

Dune: Awakening is a massive open world where players can explore the large expanse of Arrakis and carve out their own path in the desert. Funcom promises a deep and engaging survival experience, with players needing to scavenge for resources, craft equipment, and build shelters to survive the unforgiving environment. Taking place in an alternate timeline to where the books and movie go , Dune: Awakening is a completely new experience that allows for new challenges, struggles and opportunities for the player.

Dune: Awakening is more than your standard desert-based survival game, where you need to worry about scorching heat and lack of water. The iconic sandworms are a constant threat, capable of swallowing players whole and destroying vehicles and bases. It’s a high-stakes game of survival, sure to keep you on your toes. While the hands-off demo only provided a taste of what this could mean, it already hints at a fun twist to the survival formula, pushing players to be tactical with each move they make in the game world.

This brings me to Arrakis, the world players need to explore, which is shaping up to be massive. The game’s map, shown off by Funcom during my demo, is a sprawling expanse, with the developers promising a vast open world filled with secrets to uncover and challenges to overcome. This large world will be populated by players from around the globe, offering opportunities to explore, gather resources, and engage in both PvE and PvP combat. The developers have also hinted at a deep faction system, allowing players to align themselves with different groups and pursue various objectives.

During the demo, the developer gave a glimpse of the many aspects you can experience when you pick up the game for the first time. These ranged from areas of combat in a large open desert to scavenging a ship for a schematic to exploring the vast world waiting to be discovered. Dune: Awakening is designed to appeal to a wide range of players, from those who want to take on the battles of the vast wastes on the surface of Arrakis to more enclosed areas like ships and camps that feel more like dungeons. It is this range that makes the game so appealing and an experience that feels true to the concept of the books.

Visually, beyond the typical MMO quirks, Dune: Awakening looks stunning, with a detailed and atmospheric art style that captures the essence of Arrakis. From the sweeping desert vistas to the intricate character designs, every aspect of the game seems crafted with care and attention to detail. The developers have also put a lot of thought into the game’s social and economic systems, allowing players to pursue various professions and engage in trade and politics.

“Dune: Awakening is designed to appeal to a wide range of players, from those who want to take on the battles of the vast wastes on the surface of Arrakis to more enclosed areas like ships and camps that feel more like dungeons.”

The different factions will each have their unique visual flair. The House Harkonnen base, shown during the playthrough, looks dark, utilitarian, and brutalist, with their vehicles and people carrying forward this aesthetic. In contrast, Atreides will have a look that fits their house more, providing a distinct feel to each faction. This variety will enhance your playthrough, offering diverse characters to interact with throughout your time on Arrakis.

This brings me to one of the more interesting features of Dune: Awakening, the focus on player choice and consequence. The developers have promised a deep and branching narrative, with players’ actions and decisions having a tangible impact on the world around them. This sense of agency and immersion is what sets Dune: Awakening apart from other survival games, and it’s something that fans of the franchise are sure to appreciate.

This is all without touching on the area of the map beyond the main part of the demo. The developers gave a glimpse of what happens when you journey past the edge of the map, where you can enter the deep desert. This larger late-game PvP area allows for hundreds of players simultaneously and is nine times bigger than the map shown in the demo. It is staggering to consider and should pose a fun challenge for players who have advanced their characters and seek a new, more brutal challenge.

Of course, as with any game in development, there are still plenty of questions and concerns about Dune: Awakening . The release date is still unknown, and it’s uncertain how well it will deliver on its ambitious promises. However, from what we’ve seen so far, Funcom seems to be on the right track. They have clearly put a lot of love and respect into this project, and their passion for the source material shines through in every aspect of the game.

As someone who has loved the Dune franchise since the 90s (yes, I am too old), I can’t wait to get my hands on Dune: Awakening and experience the world of Arrakis in a new and immersive way. The prospect of exploring this vast, dangerous, and politically charged landscape alongside other players is incredibly exciting, and I have high hopes that Funcom will deliver an experience that does justice to Frank Herbert’s vision. Whether you’re a hardcore survival game enthusiast or a casual fan of the Dune universe, this is definitely a game to keep an eye on as they inch closer to release.