Preview This Sci-Fi Video Game Could Be The Sensation Of 2025, But…! My Impressions Of Dune Awakening
Published on 08/24/2024 at 5:10 p.m.
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Science fiction has been enjoying an unprecedented resurgence in interest for several years, and the universe imagined by Frank Herbert is not going to complain. The Dune franchise is stronger than ever and is intelligently riding the SF wave that is currently sweeping pop culture. In 2024, fans were able to discover Dune: Part 2 in theaters, and that’s just the beginning. In late 2024, the Dune: Prophecy series will serve as a prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s films before making way for Dune: Awakening, an ambitious massively multiplayer video game published by Funcom. Our survivalist journey on Arrakis is about to begin.
Preview Conditions
Gamescom 2024 was the opportunity for the JV editorial team to get their hands on Dune: Awakening and explore the desert expanses of the planet Arrakis during a 60-minute session on PC that presented the very beginning of the game as well as a much more advanced sequence.
An alternate universe
Funcom is taking a stance that may make purists who swear by “canon” grind their teeth. Dune: Awakening paints an alternate universe in which Paul Atreides never saw the light of day. Lady Jessica thus obeyed the orders of the Bene Genessit and gave birth to a daughter. Another major change with Frank Herbert’s novel, Duke Leto survived the perfidious attack of the Harkonnens. While the conflict between the two families ignites Arrakis, other factions emerge with the firm intention of taking control of the planet while the Fremen end up disappearing. Thus begins the adventure of a prisoner condemned to mine the spice and who by a combination of circumstances finds himself free in the middle of the desert following the crash of his prison ship.
It’s a fact! The Norwegian studios take some liberties with the lore, but ultimately prove to be extremely respectful of it. For the sake of Dune: Awakening, the creators deviate from the path set by Paul Atreides to better immerse players in a cohesive and hostile open world. It is certainly pleasant to explore settings that often consist of nothing more than sand as far as the eye can see, but which conceal many mysteries and remarkable places to explore. Technically speaking, Dune: Awakening proves to be solid enough to fully enjoy the experience without ever being too much of a show. However, Funcom artists still have several months to refine their copy and thus enhance the planet Arrakis.
Darwinism according to Dune
“Survival of the fittest” Darwin could not have summed up the gaming experience designed by Funcom better. These experts in MMORPG (massively multiplayer role-playing video game) are well aware of the challenge that the planet Arrakis represents. So they transformed the epicenter of the Dune universe’s intrigues into an inhospitable open world where survival requires players to have a deep respect for this star that is quick to send you ad patres. As you will have understood, Survival is a pillar of Dune: Awakening’s gameplay, and this includes collecting life-giving water under the constant threat of the heat and sandstorms.
The adventure begins with the search for resources to craft the first equipment needed for your character’s survival, then the creation of weapons and finally vehicles. After a few minutes, something becomes obvious to the most daring. The desert must be respected under penalty of premature death, and this is the main strength of this video game adaptation of Frank Herbert’s universe. On Arrakis, everything is earned, gleaned or stolen, and nothing is ever given to just anyone. After quenching your thirst and fulfilling your most basic needs, it is time to explore Dune and truly begin your journey across its arid expanses.
The environment is the survivor’s first enemy, but there are many others. The different factions that rage on the surface of Dune are engaged in a merciless war for control of the spice, and you can (or not) take part in this age-old conflict on land or in the air, on foot or in vehicles. If Awakening stands out for its survivalist dimension, it is different for the fights which ultimately seemed quite weak to us.despite a whole range of weapons and skills made available. Nevertheless, it is advisable to wait a little longer and give Funcom’s title a chance. The war has only just begun and large-scale battles have not yet attracted the sandworms.
Nos impressions
Dune: Awakening, with its survivalist concept and multiplayer dimension, is not necessarily aimed at the average person. The adventure shaped by Funcom is intended to be unique and demanding, but is so rich and full of promise that it should appeal to fans of the franchise and science fiction. If the studios manage to make the clashes more dynamic and take care of the visuals, Dune: Awakening could be one of the sci-fi video games not to be missed in 2025.
Editorial opinion
Promising
