It’s easy to spend over 100 hours in Dune Awakening, and here’s why the game just works so well
Love sandbox survival games? Dune Awakening delivers some incredibly addictive gameplay.
Dune: Awakening has been out for almost a month now and it’s taken off fast. Despite some early skepticism during the beta tests, the game’s sitting now at nearly 80% positive reviews on Steam. So it’s pretty clear that a lot of people are having a great time. Once you dive into the world of Arrakis, it's surprisingly easy to get hooked and lose track of time.
Dune: Awakening is more than just the name
Dune: Awakening is a standout blend of MMO and survival that really clicks for fans of both genres. It offers an immersive, lore-rich world where danger and discovery go hand in hand – whether you're sneaking through ruins, dodging sandworms, or collecting water in surprisingly fun ways.
And when I say people are getting lost in this game, I’m not kidding. One of my colleagues racked up 100 hours cruising through the desert before he even noticed. Here’s what he had to say about the game, and why it’s definitely worth trying out for yourself.
Dune: Awakening’s success isn’t just riding on the Dune name. Sure, the franchise helps, but what really makes it stand out is how well Funcom builds gameplay around the universe. Surviving the desert, using stillsuits, flying ornithopters, messing with suspensor belts, even using the Voice and shield mechanics. It all fits naturally and feels true to the world of Dune.
The game gives you a lot of freedom in how you want to play. Whether you're into survival, crafting, base building, or just exploring, there's something here for everyone. Setting up you base is really accessible, easy enough to get started, but deep enough if you want to get creative. Even decorating doesn’t take tons of resources, so you can really make a place your own without that much of a hassle.
If you’re more into story, that’s covered too. There are even quests with choices that actually affect how things play out.
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Combat-wise, there’s a solid PvE experience with a good mix of weapons and skills that keep fights interesting. And as you gear up, you definitely get that satisfying boost of power that makes all the effort worth it. But PvP definitely splits the player base.
There’s a whole PvP zone called the Deep Desert, which you need to visit to get the best equipment, vehicles, and buildings. It’s clearly not designed for solo players, so going in alone can be a struggle, and forcing PvP on everyone usually doesn’t go over well. Even for those who enjoy PvP, it still feels like it needs some tweaks and polishing to really hit the mark.
Overall, Dune: Awakening is a great sandbox survival game with RPG elements – you can even create proper character builds. It didn’t go through Early Access, there are no wipeouts or heavy monetization, and there’s plenty of content to dive into, with more still on the way.
