Dune: Awakening, the upcoming survival MMO that’s being developed and revealed by Funcom, is sort of right here. Even when it should take slightly longer, after it was introduced that the launch will probably be delayed by a couple of weeks from Might twentieth to June fifth, 2025. Nonetheless, Dune: Awakening has been a recreation that now we have coated extensively since its announcement a couple of years in the past.
For those who missed it, we had our first hands-on preview again in January 2025 that mentioned among the survival points and the world of Arrakis, together with an interview with the Artwork Director explaining how they’re engaged on placing as a lot “Dune into the sport as potential.
With the launch rapidly approaching, we received a extra in depth hands-on preview of the sport, masking roughly the primary 20-25 hours of gameplay, from the early recreation to the early mid-game. This included three zones, encompassing many of the first act of the sport’s story, and a extra complete take a look at the sport’s basic points, resembling crafting, constructing, character courses, and early PVE fight.
With 5 courses, it’s the Planetologist that stands out in Dune: Awakening.
There are 5 principal courses in Dune: Awakening, every with its personal set of three completely different talent bushes. When creating your character, you may choose from one of many 4 beginning courses: Trooper, Mentat, Bene Gesserit, and Swordmaster, with the fifth being unlocked as you progress. This determines your beginning skills and the talent bushes that open firstly. Whereas that is the place gamers begin, they don’t seem to be fully locked into their beginning class, as gamers can unlock different class talent bushes by way of coach quests as they progress by way of the story and completely different zones.
The power to entry all courses and their distinctive skills and strategies permits gamers to adapt their playstyle over time. Nonetheless, it’s a little disappointing that with all these choices obtainable to select from, gamers are solely allowed to have two lively skills directly and one “final” capability at any given time. With participant selection so open, the awkwardness of restriction is a setback for it.
There’s a fifth “class” that gamers can unlock within the tutorial zone, known as “Planetologist.” This class focuses on the survival points of the sport. There aren’t any combat-related expertise or strategies throughout the class. Planetologist skills allow gamers to extract extra minerals when mining, present higher environmental protections, harvest extra water from crops, and even construct autos extra effectively. It’s a category that leans into the sport’s style.
Fight is among the many core points of Dune, given the ability wrestle to regulate Arrakis and the spreading Warfare of Assassins. The actual fact that there’s a full non-combat class is a pleasant reduction. Planetologist appears like an total assist archetype that may be important each for their very own survival when coping with the surroundings and for the communal facet of guilds. Since that is an MMO in spite of everything, having gamers inside your guild who can give attention to useful resource gathering, automobile development, and upkeep will probably be a should as you strategy the later phases of the sport.
The Sandbike is important to shifting throughout Arrakis in Dune: Awakening, and its development is an fascinating survival mechanic by itself.
On this preview construct, we had the chance to check out among the autos, primarily the sandbike. That is your fundamental bike, which is able to possible be important for the typical participant. In harsh situations and on massive maps, touring on foot could be fairly harmful and time-consuming, particularly with the Shai-Hulud, or sandworms, for those who’re not the Fremen. Sandworms are a relentless menace, and one you may’t get better from.
That stated, automobile development has a twin edge, particularly as a result of the whole lot is component-based. There will probably be loads of autos within the full recreation that weren’t obtainable on this preview construct, so will probably be fascinating to see the complete extent of those customization choices.
This enables for fairly a little bit of customization; for instance, with the sandbike, gamers can select from a booster, a list module, or extra seating. Part constructing additionally permits gamers to rapidly swap to a greater engine at any time if discovered within the open world. Nonetheless, this additionally requires gamers to craft and/or purchase a substantial variety of elements for every automobile, which might get tedious.
Autos, like most issues on Arrakis, deteriorate over time and with elevated use. The restore system is kind of fascinating as a result of elements can’t be totally repaired. So, ultimately, regardless of your expertise or perks, you will want to exchange the elements. That is additionally one thing that occurs along with your gear and weapons. I loved it as a result of it forces gamers to maintain up with their tools and never simply depend on a easy restore. As soon as once more, pulling the survival style by way of the whole lot.
Funcom contains two principal components to maintain gamers from littering the map with bases.
Autos aren’t the one factor that may be constructed in Dune: Awakening. Base constructing additionally performs a vital position for gamers. Between the lethal warmth and large sandstorms that may cowl whole zones, having a base turns into a necessity. As you discover, bases are in every single place throughout the map, particularly with gamers having no concern of different gamers raiding their onerous work.
It does appear gamers can and may have a number of bases throughout a number of zones to assist navigate the environments. Nonetheless, there do appear to be a couple of issues that may assist preserve mass spamming of bases and/or random “foundations” throughout zones.
The primary of those mitigating components is that gamers can solely construct a base round a sub-fief console that “claims land” for them, permitting them to construct a base inside that space. This space could be upgraded by researching parts and utilizing extra superior sub-fief consoles.
The second factor is that gamers will probably be required to pay taxes on their bases in zones. If gamers fail to pay their taxes, issues can turn into unfavorable for them and their groups. How this performs out total in Dune: Awakening wasn’t one thing I received to expertise, however we’re positive to see extra quickly, particularly as extra gamers be a part of and what the opposite zones appear like.
Dune: Awakening’s part is its fight.
Surviving in Arrakis includes greater than beating the weather. Combating is critical and fairly frequent. Whether or not it’s in search of loot or blood, gamers will probably be in fight most of the time. There are a selection of weapons to select from, whether or not it’s a sword or a dart gun; gamers may have some choices that match their play type.
The fight, nonetheless, felt like essentially the most missing a part of Dune: Awakening. Felt random on injury output as typically felt such as you’re down somebody rapidly, after which subsequent time you’re utilizing an entire clip of darts and did nothing. There might be some refinement on the vary weaponry, because it simply didn’t really feel constant.
The shut PVE fight in one-on-one conditions wasn’t too tough because of dodging and parrying mechanics. However when most battles concerned greater than a single NPC, it turned a ache as you are attempting to do a knife battle whereas individuals within the again are simply capturing you the entire time. As a Bene Gesserit, utilizing The Voice proved to be inconsistent in each timing and total results. There have been occasions when it could work completely, and you’d get rid of NPCs with ease, after which there have been different occasions when actually nothing would occur.
The opposite fight hiccup is that there isn’t any simple technique to instantly distinguish NPC characters from Participant characters. Whereas the PVP fight zone wasn’t obtainable on this construct of the sport, not with the ability to acknowledge the variations meant that we might waste sources by firing darts at pleasant characters, or not understand that an enemy character was in an space and that we should always strategy with warning.
There’s nonetheless extra we haven’t seen from Dune, however proper now, it’s shaping up properly.
There was a lot to see and discover on this preview construct, however there was additionally a lot that remained to be found. the Deep Desert, social hubs, the Landsraad finish recreation, together with faction development, and extra are simply among the issues which are nonetheless left to be seen. Dune: Awakening appears like will probably be a big and expansive recreation, given its measurement and the number of actions obtainable, even with simply this construct.
There’s a Primary Story Questline and aspect quests that seem as contracts, which is able to give gamers loads of issues to do with their time in Arrakis. Moreover, the development is definitely achieved solo or with others, marrying particular person survival with an MMO. The latter of which we are going to perceive extra when the bigger components of the sport can be found at launch.
There’s nonetheless a methods to go, and with the discharge window being moved from Might to June 2025, will probably be fascinating to see what the event group shores up. There’s a lot to look ahead to with Dune: Awakening for each survival and MMO gamers alike. By embracing the lore and complexities of Arrakis, this survival MMO has the possibility to win over a large swath of gamers.
Dune: Awakening, the upcoming survival MMO that’s being developed and revealed by Funcom, is sort of right here. Even when it should take slightly longer, after it was introduced that the launch will probably be delayed by a couple of weeks from Might twentieth to June fifth, 2025. Nonetheless, Dune: Awakening has been a recreation that now we have coated extensively since its announcement a couple of years in the past.
For those who missed it, we had our first hands-on preview again in January 2025 that mentioned among the survival points and the world of Arrakis, together with an interview with the Artwork Director explaining how they’re engaged on placing as a lot “Dune into the sport as potential.
With the launch rapidly approaching, we received a extra in depth hands-on preview of the sport, masking roughly the primary 20-25 hours of gameplay, from the early recreation to the early mid-game. This included three zones, encompassing many of the first act of the sport’s story, and a extra complete take a look at the sport’s basic points, resembling crafting, constructing, character courses, and early PVE fight.
With 5 courses, it’s the Planetologist that stands out in Dune: Awakening.
There are 5 principal courses in Dune: Awakening, every with its personal set of three completely different talent bushes. When creating your character, you may choose from one of many 4 beginning courses: Trooper, Mentat, Bene Gesserit, and Swordmaster, with the fifth being unlocked as you progress. This determines your beginning skills and the talent bushes that open firstly. Whereas that is the place gamers begin, they don’t seem to be fully locked into their beginning class, as gamers can unlock different class talent bushes by way of coach quests as they progress by way of the story and completely different zones.
The power to entry all courses and their distinctive skills and strategies permits gamers to adapt their playstyle over time. Nonetheless, it’s a little disappointing that with all these choices obtainable to select from, gamers are solely allowed to have two lively skills directly and one “final” capability at any given time. With participant selection so open, the awkwardness of restriction is a setback for it.
There’s a fifth “class” that gamers can unlock within the tutorial zone, known as “Planetologist.” This class focuses on the survival points of the sport. There aren’t any combat-related expertise or strategies throughout the class. Planetologist skills allow gamers to extract extra minerals when mining, present higher environmental protections, harvest extra water from crops, and even construct autos extra effectively. It’s a category that leans into the sport’s style.
Fight is among the many core points of Dune, given the ability wrestle to regulate Arrakis and the spreading Warfare of Assassins. The actual fact that there’s a full non-combat class is a pleasant reduction. Planetologist appears like an total assist archetype that may be important each for their very own survival when coping with the surroundings and for the communal facet of guilds. Since that is an MMO in spite of everything, having gamers inside your guild who can give attention to useful resource gathering, automobile development, and upkeep will probably be a should as you strategy the later phases of the sport.
The Sandbike is important to shifting throughout Arrakis in Dune: Awakening, and its development is an fascinating survival mechanic by itself.
On this preview construct, we had the chance to check out among the autos, primarily the sandbike. That is your fundamental bike, which is able to possible be important for the typical participant. In harsh situations and on massive maps, touring on foot could be fairly harmful and time-consuming, particularly with the Shai-Hulud, or sandworms, for those who’re not the Fremen. Sandworms are a relentless menace, and one you may’t get better from.
That stated, automobile development has a twin edge, particularly as a result of the whole lot is component-based. There will probably be loads of autos within the full recreation that weren’t obtainable on this preview construct, so will probably be fascinating to see the complete extent of those customization choices.
This enables for fairly a little bit of customization; for instance, with the sandbike, gamers can select from a booster, a list module, or extra seating. Part constructing additionally permits gamers to rapidly swap to a greater engine at any time if discovered within the open world. Nonetheless, this additionally requires gamers to craft and/or purchase a substantial variety of elements for every automobile, which might get tedious.
Autos, like most issues on Arrakis, deteriorate over time and with elevated use. The restore system is kind of fascinating as a result of elements can’t be totally repaired. So, ultimately, regardless of your expertise or perks, you will want to exchange the elements. That is additionally one thing that occurs along with your gear and weapons. I loved it as a result of it forces gamers to maintain up with their tools and never simply depend on a easy restore. As soon as once more, pulling the survival style by way of the whole lot.
Funcom contains two principal components to maintain gamers from littering the map with bases.
Autos aren’t the one factor that may be constructed in Dune: Awakening. Base constructing additionally performs a vital position for gamers. Between the lethal warmth and large sandstorms that may cowl whole zones, having a base turns into a necessity. As you discover, bases are in every single place throughout the map, particularly with gamers having no concern of different gamers raiding their onerous work.
It does appear gamers can and may have a number of bases throughout a number of zones to assist navigate the environments. Nonetheless, there do appear to be a couple of issues that may assist preserve mass spamming of bases and/or random “foundations” throughout zones.
The primary of those mitigating components is that gamers can solely construct a base round a sub-fief console that “claims land” for them, permitting them to construct a base inside that space. This space could be upgraded by researching parts and utilizing extra superior sub-fief consoles.
The second factor is that gamers will probably be required to pay taxes on their bases in zones. If gamers fail to pay their taxes, issues can turn into unfavorable for them and their groups. How this performs out total in Dune: Awakening wasn’t one thing I received to expertise, however we’re positive to see extra quickly, particularly as extra gamers be a part of and what the opposite zones appear like.
Dune: Awakening’s part is its fight.
Surviving in Arrakis includes greater than beating the weather. Combating is critical and fairly frequent. Whether or not it’s in search of loot or blood, gamers will probably be in fight most of the time. There are a selection of weapons to select from, whether or not it’s a sword or a dart gun; gamers may have some choices that match their play type.
The fight, nonetheless, felt like essentially the most missing a part of Dune: Awakening. Felt random on injury output as typically felt such as you’re down somebody rapidly, after which subsequent time you’re utilizing an entire clip of darts and did nothing. There might be some refinement on the vary weaponry, because it simply didn’t really feel constant.
The shut PVE fight in one-on-one conditions wasn’t too tough because of dodging and parrying mechanics. However when most battles concerned greater than a single NPC, it turned a ache as you are attempting to do a knife battle whereas individuals within the again are simply capturing you the entire time. As a Bene Gesserit, utilizing The Voice proved to be inconsistent in each timing and total results. There have been occasions when it could work completely, and you’d get rid of NPCs with ease, after which there have been different occasions when actually nothing would occur.
The opposite fight hiccup is that there isn’t any simple technique to instantly distinguish NPC characters from Participant characters. Whereas the PVP fight zone wasn’t obtainable on this construct of the sport, not with the ability to acknowledge the variations meant that we might waste sources by firing darts at pleasant characters, or not understand that an enemy character was in an space and that we should always strategy with warning.
There’s nonetheless extra we haven’t seen from Dune, however proper now, it’s shaping up properly.
There was a lot to see and discover on this preview construct, however there was additionally a lot that remained to be found. the Deep Desert, social hubs, the Landsraad finish recreation, together with faction development, and extra are simply among the issues which are nonetheless left to be seen. Dune: Awakening appears like will probably be a big and expansive recreation, given its measurement and the number of actions obtainable, even with simply this construct.
There’s a Primary Story Questline and aspect quests that seem as contracts, which is able to give gamers loads of issues to do with their time in Arrakis. Moreover, the development is definitely achieved solo or with others, marrying particular person survival with an MMO. The latter of which we are going to perceive extra when the bigger components of the sport can be found at launch.
There’s nonetheless a methods to go, and with the discharge window being moved from Might to June 2025, will probably be fascinating to see what the event group shores up. There’s a lot to look ahead to with Dune: Awakening for each survival and MMO gamers alike. By embracing the lore and complexities of Arrakis, this survival MMO has the possibility to win over a large swath of gamers.
