Atti Abderrahim
Table of Contents
Dune Awakening The resurgence of science fiction in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable, and Frank Herbert’s Dune universe is riding this wave with great success. The Dune franchise is more powerful than ever, perfectly tapping into the current sci-fi craze sweeping through pop culture. In 2024, fans were treated to the cinematic release of Dune: Part Two, marking just the beginning of what promises to be an expansive journey into the world of Arrakis. By the end of 2024, the prequel series Dune: Prophecy will hit screens, setting the stage for the highly anticipated video game Dune Awakening, a massively multiplayer online (MMO) survival game published by Funcom. Our survival journey on Arrakis is about to begin.
An Alternate Universe
Funcom has taken a bold approach that might ruffle the feathers of die-hard fans who only swear by the “canon.” Dune Awakening presents an alternate universe where Paul Atreides was never born. In this version, Lady Jessica follows the orders of the Bene Gesserit and gives birth to a daughter instead. Another significant deviation from Frank Herbert’s novel is that Duke Leto survives the treacherous Harkonnen attack. As the conflict between the two houses ignites Arrakis, other factions rise with the intent to seize control of the planet, while the Fremen mysteriously vanish. This sets the stage for the adventure of a prisoner, condemned to mine spice, who finds himself free in the vast desert after a fortuitous crash of his prison ship.
It’s a fact! The Norwegian studio takes certain liberties with the lore but ultimately shows great respect for it. For the sake of Dune Awakening, the creators diverge from the path laid out by Paul Atreides to better immerse players in a coherent and hostile open world. Despite the barren landscapes that often stretch endlessly with nothing but sand, the game manages to captivate with its hidden mysteries and memorable locations ripe for exploration. Technically speaking, Dune Awakening is solid enough to provide an enjoyable experience, though it doesn’t quite dazzle visually. However, the artists at Funcom still have several months to refine their work and fully bring the planet Arrakis to life.
Darwinism According to Dune
“Survival of the fittest” – Darwin couldn’t have better summarized the gaming experience crafted by Funcom. These MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) veterans are well aware of the challenge that Arrakis represents. They’ve transformed the epicenter of the Dune universe’s intrigues into a harsh open world where survival demands players’ utmost respect for this treacherous planet, always ready to send you to your doom. Make no mistake, survival is a cornerstone of Dune Awakening, requiring players to constantly seek out life-giving water under the ever-present threat of scorching heat and sandstorms.
The adventure kicks off with resource gathering to craft the basic equipment necessary for your character’s survival, followed by the creation of weapons and eventually vehicles. After just a few minutes, it becomes evident to even the bravest souls: the desert must be respected, or you’ll face an untimely death. This is the core strength of this video game adaptation of Frank Herbert’s universe. On Arrakis, everything must be earned, scavenged, or stolen; nothing is freely given. Once you’ve quenched your thirst and satisfied your most basic needs, it’s time to explore Dune and truly embark on your journey across its arid expanses.
While the environment is the survivor’s primary enemy, it’s far from the only threat. Various factions wage relentless wars on the surface of Dune, vying for control of the spice, and you can choose to partake in this age-old conflict on land or in the air, on foot or aboard vehicles. Although Awakening stands out for its survivalist aspect, the combat left us somewhat underwhelmed, despite the array of weapons and skills at your disposal. However, it’s essential to give Funcom’s title a chance – the war has only just begun, and large-scale battles have yet to attract the sandworms.
Our Impressions
With its survivalist concept and multiplayer focus, Dune Awakening isn’t necessarily aimed at the casual gamer. The adventure crafted by Funcom is both unique and demanding, but it’s so rich and full of promise that it should captivate fans of the franchise and science fiction alike. If the developers can inject more dynamism into the combat and enhance the visuals, Dune Awakening could become one of the must-play sci-fi video games of 2025.
