Early-Game Experience

As a huge fan of Dune, its universe, and rich lore, I’d been eagerly anticipating Dune: Awakening for years. I had the chance to play the beta, which was enjoyable, but the game didn’t feel truly complete until the full release dropped.

The introduction isn’t overly challenging — it holds your hand just enough without spoon-feeding you. Instead of walking you through every step, it offers subtle hints, encouraging you to explore and figure things out on your own. Simple tasks like managing your water intake or avoiding the sun might seem straightforward, but in the harsh desert environment of Arrakis, these survival elements are crucial—overlooking them can be deadly.

The starting area, Hagga Basin, is vast. At first, I felt it was a bit too large and sandboxy for my expectations, but as I progressed, the scale really began to make sense. Gaining access to vehicles like the sand bike and dune buggy made traversing this huge environment not only easier but genuinely enjoyable, adding depth to exploration.

Mid-Game Experience

The mid-game shifts focus toward resource management and base-building. Grinding for materials like batteries, water, and crafting components becomes essential to keep your base operational and fabricate upgrades. This phase adds a layer of strategy, as securing enough resources to sustain your outpost becomes a constant challenge.

While the gameplay loop here is satisfying, it can become repetitive, especially for solo players. The thrill of exploration is somewhat dampened by the grind required to maintain your equipment and defenses. However, the underlying story remains engaging and provides motivation to push forward.

Speaking of story, I was a bit underwhelmed by its length — I wished it had lasted longer because the plot is fantastic. It’s filled with intrigue and mystery, especially the quest surrounding the Fremen. The question of whether the Fremen are missing or dead drives much of the narrative and kept me invested throughout.

Graphics and Sound Impressions

Visually, Dune: Awakening impresses with its vast desert landscapes and detailed environmental effects. The shifting sands and harsh sunlight all contribute to a believable and immersive Arrakis. Textures and models for vehicles, buildings, and creatures are well-crafted, though some areas can feel a bit repetitive due to the open-world design.

Sound design is another highlight — from the mechanical hum of your vehicles to the tense ambiance in the deep desert. The soundtrack complements the mood perfectly, mixing atmospheric tones with intense moments during combat or exploration. Voice acting and dialogue are well-delivered, adding depth to the narrative.

Late-Game and Multiplayer Experience

The multiplayer aspect of Dune: Awakening offers a mixed bag. Exploring the deep desert alongside other players brings moments of excitement and unpredictability. However, the PvP zones have been reduced significantly, shifting much of the endgame to PvE. This change makes the experience more accessible to solo players but may disappoint those looking for competitive multiplayer engagements.

Overall, the multiplayer experience works but doesn’t yet feel polished or fully realized — it’s functional, but there’s room for improvement as the game evolves.

Endgame and Final Challenges

The endgame initially brought excitement with the vast Deep Desert, a shared PvP and PvE space hosting hundreds of players from different Hagga Basins. Exploring this large, unforgiving territory alongside other players offered tense encounters and a real sense of scale.

However, after recent changes shrinking the PvP areas and expanding PvE zones, the experience shifted. For solo players, the larger PvE space is a welcome adjustment, allowing safer resource gathering and exploration. But for guild-centric players seeking competitive PvP, the reduction in PvP zones felt like a setback. Time will tell whether this balance strikes the right chord for the game’s longevity.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Dune: Awakening is a phenomenal game. The story is compelling, the world immersive, and the survival mechanics add meaningful tension. The developers have set their sights on this being a 10-year game, and with ongoing content updates, there’s potential for a thriving community and evolving gameplay.

I’d rate the game a solid 9 out of 10. The only things holding it back from perfection are the repetitiveness in the late-game grind and the limited availability of resources for solo players trying to sustain their bases.

If you’re a fan of the Dune universe or survival games with deep lore and challenging environments, Dune: Awakening is well worth your time.

If you’re gearing up for immersive gameplay like Dune: Awakening, check out our top recommendations for the best gaming mice and mechanical keyboards to elevate your experience.