Last Updated on May 29, 2025 @ 17:06:44 PM.
Funcom has been busy bringing a polished, well-tuned experience for RPG fans looking to dive into Arrakis in Dune: Awakening. While the Norwegian studio is no stranger to crafting massive open worlds for its players, it seems to have pulled out all the stops in creating an experience that lives up to the reputation of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi franchise.
Funcom’s latest gameplay footage allows players a peek behind the curtain on its upcoming survival action title, revealing a combat system that caters to a wide variety of playstyles, complementing MMORPG elements that are surprisingly well-suited for players looking to enjoy Dune: Awakening on their own.
Dune: Awakening’s Alternative Arrakis Allows for Some Bold Changes
For anybody unfamiliar with Funcom’s version of the Dune universe, Dune: Awakening presents an alternate timeline in which Paul Atreides was never born. It’s an excellent setup for the game’s RPG trappings, allowing players to bring a fully customizable avatar to Arrakis’ scorching deserts that are fraught with dangers that they must overcome.
In typical Funcom fashion, Dune: Awakening pits its players against each other in a massive open world, which sees them competing for Spice and control of key areas with what the studio calls the Landsraad system.
Players choose between the Atreides or Harkonnen factions and must obtain the support of several minor houses in order to get access to valuable resources, weapons, and vehicles in order to carve their names in the sands of Arrakis. The video below showcases Funcom’s inspired take on MMORPGs, highlighting how the Landsraad system brings immersion and a whole lot of options for player characters to engage with.
However, the Landsraad system on its own may not be enough to bring Arrakis to life in Dune: Awakening. That’s where Funcom’s new combat system comes to life. While combat in the game may seem basic at first, it’s a steady and rewarding climb to better gear and several options over time.
Dune: Awakening is designed to present an authentic take on what life in Arrakis should look like for an undercover agent of the Bene Gesserit looking to bring the mysterious faction back to power in Arrakis’ complex political landscape. With various weapons, skills, and fighting styles to choose from, combat in Funcom’s latest outing could be its own reward if the video below is any indication.
As its release date inches ever closer, Dune: Awakening is sure to catch the eye of RPG fans looking for a massive new world to explore, while fans of the franchise eagerly wait to see what Funcom has in store for them.
Dune Awakening will be available from June 10, 2025, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows via Steam. However, players who have purchased early access can dive into the game from June 5, 2025.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out what Mundfish is up to next after Atomic Hearts’ success, or how Civilization 6 is making its Android debut with lots of new content for its fans. Otherwise, follow Thumb Wars on X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news, reviews, and interviews!
“Hands down the worst”: GTA 5 Star Reveals Their Most Hated Mission, and You Already Know the Answer
Sony Could Save Monolith's Nemesis System if the Rumors Are True
Architect Life: A House Design Simulator Review (PS5) - One of the Most Relaxing and Creative Games ...
Hideo Kojima Worried COVID Would Rob Him and Us of His Willingness to Create
With a passion for gaming that is equaled only by his love for writing, Varun has either a controller, keyboard, or a guitar in his hands when he is not out exploring the middle of nowhere on a motorcycle. Soulslikes, RPGs, and action-adventure titles keep him awake at night and get him out of bed in the morning. He will never stop lamenting the lack of a Bloodborne sequel even as he spends another couple of hours exploring the Lands Between in Elden Ring.
