Dune: Awakening console hands-on: At its best in solo mode, where playing alone amplifies the hostile beauty of Arrakis
Funcom's Dune: Awakening arrives on console rebuilt for solo play, with none of the mercy sanded off.
I, a reporter not fond of survival games, approach Dune: Awakening with the perspective of someone drawn to its setting rather than its gameplay mechanics. This new console release offers a single-player mode tailored for players like me, with adjustable difficulty and optional multiplayer. The developer, Funcom, made it clear that the game was never truly an MMO, and now it can be enjoyed alone at your own pace, the way I wanted to explore Arrakis.
Available for the PS5 for $49, Dune: Awakening is an online survival game set in Frank Herbert's beloved sci-fi universe. You create your character, explore the deserts of Arrakis, complete quests, craft bases, and build your own spice empire. The game offers an alternate timeline where Jessica bore Duke Leto a daughter, and the Fremen have vanished.
Your choices shape your character, placing you in the imperial ladder as a Bondsman, noble, or Pyon. Your mentor determines your starting ability and skill tree, immersing you in the universe from the beginning.
Upon entering Arrakis, you immediately face the harsh reality of its hostile environment. Scouring for materials to build basic clothing, I was immediately ambushed with no preparation. The game does not hold your hand or provide a gentle tutorial, instead challenging you to adapt. Arrakis is not a forgiving world, and this harsh environment is its defining trait. Playing alone amplifies the oppressive beauty of the desert, making you feel much more isolated and emphasizing the fragility of life on Arrakis.
While the game might not appeal to everyone, Dune: Awakening is a must-play for Dune fans. The game understands that Arrakis is a character, and its defining trait is that it would very much like you to die. Surviving in this unforgiving world, badly and slowly, is the point of the game. For me, the combat isn't perfect, but the challenge and challenge of surviving on Arrakis make it a worthwhile experience.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
