Whether it’s the eerie loneliness as the sand lightly dances on the surface of Arrakis, or the intensity of a huge Sandworm chasing you down for dinner, Dune Awakening‘s take on the iconic sci-fi franchise makes for one of the best survival games ever. After watching the new duo of movies multiple times, and reading the classic novel, I’d say Funcom’s take on the franchise is one of my favorites, and right now, it’s got a huge discount – one that will have you feeling like you’re the Lisan al-Gaib.
With the sun beating down on the surface of Arrakis, it’s anything but a pleasant holiday in Dune Awakening. Not only do you need to keep an eye on your water levels, ensuring you can survive that trip through Sandworm territory, but you’ll also need to watch out for enemy NPCs, or if you happen to walk into a PvP zone, other players. Considering you start out with nothing, or as close to it as possible, everything feels as daunting as it looks – which is just what Arrakis should be.
However, Dune Awakening’s story helps you grow from someone who can barely survive to a hardy Freman-esque warrior who thrives in Arrakis’ unbearable environment. Set in an alternate world where Duke Leto Atreides survives, and Paul was never born, you’ll have to uncover what happened to the Fremen, as well as keep an eye on the conflict between the Atreides and the Harkonnen. This isn’t your typical travel destination, let’s be honest.
While the narrative gives you a reason to keep exploring Arrakis, the idea of not only surviving such horrible conditions but excelling in them is what will keep you playing. As you gather resources and find rare technology, you’ll eventually go from rags to Arakkeen riches, with equipment that can help you gather the expensive Spice that everyone is after. You’ll also need to make tough decisions, like whether to wear that heavy armor or use a Stillsuit for more hydration – at the cost of less defense. If you die to a Sandworm, all your stuff is gone, so no pressure.
All that to say – I love this game. I think Dune Awakening truly nails the feeling of how intense dealing with its world would be, but also keeps that magical sci-fi feeling of being involved in Dune. If you’re hoping to grab this brilliant survival game at a discount, you can grab Dune Awakening for just $28.49 / £23.93 at Fanatical. That’s 43% off the standard price, and if you want to get some bonus content, the deluxe and ultimate versions are also on discount, giving you access to the upcoming premium expansions as well as some cosmetics.
If there’s any one game I’d recommend diving into over the holidays, Dune Awakening is it. As the Winter weather rolls in and keeps you locked inside for longer, why not dive into a dangerous world that’s hotter than the surface of our sun? I can’t think of any better way to spend my days indoors. If you’ll excuse me, I think I need to go and check in on my base.
