The beauty of science fiction lies in the unbridled imagination of creators who can chalk up impressive worlds that serve as an escape from our mundane lives. Be it the adventurous universe of Star Wars or the mind-bending world of Death Stranding, these creations let our imagination fly high. Dune is one of those beautiful creations that has seen countless creators toying with the concept of painting their iteration of a futuristic dystopian world and weaving exciting stories around them.
First revealed to the public in 1984, Dune was part of a Marvel Comics special series created by Frank Herbert. While the story was textbook science fiction drama, Herbert’s unique world intrigued people. A vast desert planet that thrives on a life-enhancing and extending drug while battling giant sandworms – that provides a cool backdrop for fantasy adventures.
The world of cinema wasted no time in making Dune-based sci-fi blockbusters, using Herbert’s world to tell compelling stories.
Other than filmmakers, video game developers also made the most out of this concept and gave us some exciting experiences on a computer or console. While Dune: Awakening is one of the highly anticipated video games based on the desolate planet of Arrakis and its horrifying sandworms, a quick look through the pages of history reveals some great Dune video games that fans might find golden.
From the click-and-point adventures of the early ’90s to the upcoming open-world survival MMOs, Dune games have offered a chance to experience Arrakis and its challenges firsthand.
Hence, if you are drawn into this unique world of Dune beyond the films and books, check out our list of some of the best Dune-themed video games you can play today.
Here are the best ‘Dune’ video games
1. Dune
Released in: 1992
The first Dune video game introduced the fascinating world of Frank Herbert in a strategy-focused title. Players took on the role of Paul Atreides, the young Duke who is thrust into the political turmoil of Arrakis and has to create strong bonds with the planet’s native Fremen. In the game, players need to balance spice production while building alliances and cultivating the Spice. The presence of the sandworms in the desert ecosystem added to the challenges and fun.
Unlike the latter titles in the franchise, this game required players to put into action their strategy and resource management over swordplay.
18 Upcoming Video Games We Are Excited For In 2024: ‘Star Wars Outlaws’, ‘GTRevival’ And More
15 Sci-Fi Movies Like ‘Dune’ You Must Watch: ‘Interstellar’, ‘Arrival’ And More
2. Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty
Released in: 1992
With Dune II, the franchise took a different approach. Introducing the concept of a real-time strategy (RTS) genre, Westwood Studio created a Dune game that wasn’t centred around Paul Atreides’ story. Instead, this game focused on a grand war for control of Arrakis. Players could choose their side – the noble Atreides, the brutal Harkonnens or the cunning Ordos. Building bases, harvesting spice, fueling war machine production and base expansion were the key aspects of the video game.
3. Dune 2000
Released in: 1998
After the mega success of Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty, Westwood Studios did a follow-up with several graphical and gameplay enhancements. In fact, with the plot and gameplay style largely similar to the previous game, many considered Dune 2000 as a remastered version of its predecessor. The developers improved the graphics quality and worked on the audio production.
With a user interface inspired by the smash hit Command & Conquer: Red Alert, players had more control over various units than the previous video game. The tried-and-tested formula resulted in Dune 2000 being another top seller in this genre.
4. Emperor: Battle for Dune
Released in: 2001
Just a year after Dune 2000, Westwood Studios released Emperor: Battle for Dune, the first true sequel to the previous games in the series. This time, the game offered a unique combination of real-time strategy as well as turn-based planetary conquest while continuing the story from the previous instalment. Players could command vast armies in real-time battles and could march ahead strategically across the map via a turn-based setting.
While the idea was ambitious for a strategy game, it couldn’t sell as well as its predecessors.
5. Frank Herbert’s Dune
Released in: 2001
Frank Herbert’s Dune was released around the time when 3D open-world games, like GTA 3, were the next big thing in the industry. Released in 2001, the game left behind the tried-and-tested strategy focus of its predecessors and focused on being an adventure-based title. A major step forward was the new 3D graphics that promised to offer an immersive third-person view and experience the combat in an all-new way. The story itself was faithful to Herbert’s version.
Sadly, the game didn’t fare well in terms of response from critics and players. Moreover, Cryo Interactive – the developer – was facing financial difficulties and by the time the game was released, it shut its doors soon after.
6. Dune: Spice Wars
Released in: 2023
It took almost two decades for a new video game based on the Dune universe to arrive and this time, it stuck to the tried-and-tested formula – a real-time strategy game. Created by Shiro Games, Dune: Spice Wars was released in 2023 and aimed to rekindle the magic of its smash-hit predecessors at a time when Denis Villeneuve brought the franchise back to life.
Utilising modern-day graphics and new gameplay mechanics, this video game puts players once again in a situation to pick a side and fight for dominance over Arrakis. You could choose the noble Atreides, the cunning Smugglers, the ruthless Harkonnens and the mysterious Fremen. Spice remains a key asset over which you could build your political influence in the tension-bred realms of Arrakis.
7. Dune: Awakening
Releasing in: 2024 (early access)
With Dune: Awakening, the franchise wants to experiment with a new formula that uses the hostile setting of Arrakis as the background. Dune: Awakening will be an open-world survival multiplayer online video game where the player needs to survive the harsh conditions, establish a base and take control of the political scene on Arrakis. Players will collect valuable resources to survive and craft weapons, create and expand their bases and battle their rivals.
Although you will have your character to nurture, the game promises to include Dune’s heroes and other prominent characters in the plot.
All About ‘Star Wars: Outlaws’, Including Its Vast Open World, Exciting Gameplay Mechanics And More
(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Funcom)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best Dune video game?
Dune: Spice Wars is the best video game you can play from the Dune franchise.
– Where can I play Dune: Spice Wars?
You can play Dune: Spice Wars on PC and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
– Where can I play Dune: Awakening?
Dune: Awakening is expected to be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
