As a survival MMO,Dune: Awakeningis already a unique experience. It’s not the first of its kind, but being set in Frank Herbert’s iconicDunesci-fi universe and having every intention of staying true to the source material,Dune: Awakeningdoes effectively distinguish itself from the crowd. Rather than relying ontraditional survival progression, for example, it applies survival mechanics that fit within the framework of theDuneuniverse, rather than makingDunemeet traditional survival standards. However, while it is a one-of-a-kind experience,Dune: Awakeningisn’t without similarities to other franchises — one, in particular.
In more ways than one,Dune: Awakeningechoes the tone, themes, and even gameplay elements of Kojima Productions’Death Stranding. While it isn’t technically a survival game, nor is it an MMO by any means,Death Strandingstill feels like it boasts some of the core elements that make upDune: Awakening’s foundation. Whether it be each game’s emphasis on movement and a world devoid of comfort or how often they ask players to prepare adequately for the road ahead,Dune: AwakeningandDeath Strandingbear enough similarities that it’s worth suggesting fans of the latter give the former a try.
Dune: Awakening’s Gameplay May Feel Familiar to Death Stranding Fans
Both Games Center the Journey, Not the Destination
One of the most fundamental elements ofDune: Awakening’s gameplay sees players regularly on the move. It could be that they are encouraged to move their base from one location to another or that they are tasked with traveling across the desert to their next objective, all whileDune: Awakening’s sandwormsburrow beneath their feet. In fact, standing still inDune: Awakening(unless players are in a watersealed environment) is a recipe for disaster, as hydration levels regularly decrease and eventually lead to death if not attended to.
In more ways than one,Dune: Awakeningechoes the tone, themes, and even gameplay elements of Kojima Productions’Death Stranding.
In the same way,Death Stranding’s gameplay is all about movement. Granted, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, asKojima Productions' pride and joy has often mockingly been referred to as a “walking simulator.” Even so, that is a testament to the type of gameplay that it prioritizes, and that’s what makesDune: Awakeningeven more perfect for fans ofDeath Stranding. Just asDune: Awakeningcenters players on the journey rather than the destination by keeping them always on the move,Death Strandingregularly pushes players from one place to the next.
Traversal, Tension, and Preparation Define the Player’s Rhythm
However, neither game wants players to simply react to their worlds. Whether it’s avoidingBTs inDeath Strandingor preparing for an extended journey through the open desert inDune: Awakening, survival hinges on how well players anticipate the threats ahead before they happen.Dune: Awakeninguses heat, hydration, storms, weight, and shifting sands to apply constant pressure on players. LikeDeath Stranding’s cargo management and weather systems, it’s less about speed and more about control, intention, and adapting to a world that punishes players for attempting shortcuts.
A major part of preparing for a journey throughDune: Awakening’s Arrakis involves having plenty of hydration options on hand, as water discipline is crucial.
This will all be even more true onceDeath Stranding 2: On the Beachlaunches, as it seems to aim a bit higher, demanding more from players' attentiveness than the first game did. With new environmental effects and what appears to be a much harsher world to traverse in general,Death Stranding 2is sounding more and more likeDune: Awakening. In light of that, fans of Kojima Productions' debut IP shouldn’t shy away from givingFuncom’s hit survival MMOa go, especially if they plan to playDS2very soon.
