With any video game, one of the most important parts is those opening few hours. Those hours are what sucks the player in and makes them decide if they want to stick around for the rest of it. Plus, it’s supposed to set the scene for everything that will come after, so if a game fumbles it, then players may just turn their backs. Luckily,Dune: Awakeningunderstood this. It thrusts players into the world ofDunefor an adventure that promises to be unforgettable.
From the secondDune: Awakeningkicks-off, players know they are in for a very authenticDuneexperience. Funcom wastes no time exploring the rich lore of this universe, and as players push further into the game, they are plunged even deeper into Frank Herbert’s world. Not only does it feel like the perfect start for fans of the films, but also for those that have dived into the novels. And hopefully, this explosive start is just the beginning of what players are going to get fromDune: Awakening.
Dune: Awakening Kicks Off in Glorious Fashion
Dune: Awakening Knows What Makes the Dune Franchise Tick
Before players even create their character,Dune: Awakeningsets the scene wonderfully. The game kicks-off with a simple cutscene that sees a shrouded player approach the Reverend Mother,a member of the Bene Gesserit. Once they approach, they enter the game’s character creation menu, which operates much like any character creator. After they have chosen their appearance, the Reverend Mother asks them a series of questions that help them decide just who they are. They must choose their homeworld, their Caste, and their Mentor, all of which dictate their starting abilities and are ripped straight from theDuneuniverse.
Once that has been completed, the Reverent Mother orders them to go throughthe same test that Paul Atreides went through. Through this, they are ordered to head to Arrakis and their adventures inDune: Awakeningbegin. But of course, things are never that easy, and players are quickly plunged into a fight for their survival. They are shot down, learn how to survive, and encounter all the dangers they might expect from Arrakis.
The Bulk of This Survival Game Feels Ripped Straight From Dune
Fans of the franchise should recognize many of these elements right away, but it is only the tip of the iceberg of what is to come in those first few hours. Throughout the next couple, they are plunged even further into theDuneuniverse as they learn all they need to know about the game’s many mechanics. They must learn how to fight, scavenge,hide themselves from Sandworms, interact with Arrakis' people, and craft many of the iconic outfits fromDune. Plus, their character even gets to fly an Ornithopter in a cutscene.
These first few hours have pretty much everything that players might expect from a game set withinthe world ofDune. Not only does that help immerse them in this world, but it also leads to a very explosive opening that should keep them engaged for a little while. As the world of Arrakis opens up, there is even more content for them to sink their teeth into. All of which really helps to makeDune: Awakeningfeel like the perfectDunesimulator.
It remains to be seen if Funcom can keep players coming back for more. But if those first few hours are anything to go by, the studio has definitely nailed down just what makes aDunegame tick. Hopefully this is only the start of what players can expect.
