Prepare to survive the most dangerous planet in the universe as Dune: Awakening takes you into the heart of Arrakis, where only the strong can rise to power.
As the world anticipates the release of Dune: Awakening, excitement continues to build. This open-world survival MMO promises to immerse players in the harsh environment of Arrakis, the most dangerous planet in the universe. Developed by Funcom, Dune: Awakening is set to redefine the boundaries of survival gaming by blending the rich lore of Frank Herbert’s Dune series with the thrill of survival and massively multiplayer online (MMO) mechanics.
Slated for release in 2025, players will venture into a unique, expansive world where they must survive the planet’s perils while contending with powerful guilds, ancient sandworms, and the constant battle for the planet’s most valuable resource: spice. In this article, we’ll dive into the key features and gameplay mechanics of Dune: Awakening and why it is poised to become the next big thing in the MMO world.
An Open World Like No Other
The planet of Arrakis, often referred to as Dune, is infamous for its treacherous environment. In Dune: Awakening, players will experience this danger firsthand. The game world is shared by hundreds of players, all navigating the vast deserts, seeking to survive and thrive. The game presents an alternative Dune universe where Paul Atreides was never born, and a “War of Assassins” rages between the houses of Atreides and Harkonnen.
Players must face not only the deadly natural elements, including the ancient sandworms that roam the desert, but also political intrigue and warfare among the many factions vying for control of Arrakis. Whether you choose to align with a Great House, form a guild, or forge your path independently, your decisions will shape your experience in this living, breathing world.
Surviving the Harsh Desert of Arrakis
Survival is the heart of Dune: Awakening. The desert is unforgiving, and players must quickly learn the ways of the Fremen, the desert-dwelling people who have mastered the art of surviving Arrakis’ brutal conditions. As you traverse the sands, maintaining your stillsuit and practicing water discipline will be key to staying hydrated and alive.
You’ll start with basic tools, such as a cutterray for harvesting, a stilltent for shelter, and a stillsuit for hydration. As you progress, you can build and upgrade a base, transforming it from a simple outpost into a formidable fortress capable of withstanding enemy attacks. The game’s powerful building system allows for easy construction with friends, and blueprints can be saved and sold, adding an element of strategy to how you build your stronghold.
Exploration and Combat Mechanics
Exploration is a critical component of Dune: Awakening, allowing players to traverse the epic landscape of Arrakis. From piloting ornithopters and groundcars to delving into the depths of the Hagga Rift or scaling the peaks of the Hand of Khidr, the vastness of the world invites players to discover its hidden secrets. With other players populating the same world, teamwork and alliances become essential for venturing into dangerous areas like the ancient Imperial Testing Stations.
Combat in Dune: Awakening is a blend of advanced weaponry and desert tactics. Players can infiltrate bandit camps using high-tech tools like the shigawire claw to reach high ground, deploy hunter-seekers for stealth attacks, and use the Holzman shield to repel direct fire. Your success in combat will depend not only on your weapons but also on how well you understand the desert and its hazards.
Spice is Power
One of the game’s most significant themes is the importance of spice, the mystical substance that powers the economy of Arrakis. In Dune: Awakening, spice plays a central role in both gameplay and progression. Players can harvest spice from the open desert, but doing so is a risky endeavor. Venturing into the sands to gather spice attracts the attention of the giant sandworms, and only the bold will be able to collect and sell it.
Spice is more than just a commodity; it can be consumed to unlock superhuman abilities. However, this power comes at a cost, as addiction to spice is a real threat. The balance between harnessing its power and avoiding addiction is a compelling gameplay mechanic that adds depth to the player’s choices.
Character Progression and Specialization
Dune: Awakening offers extensive character progression and specialization options. Players can develop their character by following different paths, such as the Swordmaster, Trooper, Mentat, Planetologist, or Bene Gesserit. Each path provides unique abilities and skills that can be mixed and matched to create a customized playstyle. Whether you prefer direct combat, strategic planning, or survival-focused gameplay, the game offers a wide range of abilities to suit your preferences.
The ability to craft and maintain vehicles, including ornithopters and groundcars, further enhances the depth of gameplay. These vehicles are not just for transportation; they can be outfitted with modules designed for exploration, resource gathering, or combat, making them essential tools in the fight for survival on Arrakis.
Dynamic World Events and Guild Warfare
The world of Dune: Awakening is constantly evolving, with dynamic events such as Coriolis storms that sweep across the deep desert. These storms can wipe the map clean, revealing new resources and locations hidden beneath the sand. Players must act quickly to scout and seize control of these key areas before others do.
Guilds play a significant role in the game’s political landscape. Players can join guilds and engage in epic battles for control of the spice blows, the lifeblood of the planet. These battles combine infantry, tanks, and ornithopters in large-scale conflicts that will determine the balance of power on Arrakis. Guilds can pledge their loyalty to either the Atreides or Harkonnen, further adding to the intrigue and complexity of the game’s world.
Prepare for the Ultimate Survival Experience in 2025
Dune: Awakening is shaping up to be an MMO unlike any other, offering a unique blend of survival, exploration, and large-scale warfare in a richly detailed world. As players venture into the dangerous sands of Arrakis, they will face the harsh realities of the desert while engaging in political intrigue, combat, and the ever-present struggle for spice.
With its release slated for 2025, Dune: Awakening is poised to capture the attention of fans of both survival games and the Dune franchise. Whether you seek to lead a Great House, explore the vastness of Arrakis, or simply survive its perils, this game offers endless possibilities. Prepare to stake your claim on the most dangerous planet in the universe.
Dune: Awakening – coming soon to a planet near you.
