I had largely written off survival-crafting games. The familiar pattern of gathering materials, building a shelter and repeating the same routine usually loses its appeal after a few hours. Dune: Awakening has changed that expectation: after more than a dozen hours on PS5, I am still keen to return to Arrakis.
The MMO survival RPG launched on PC last year before arriving on consoles. Its major update brought the game to PS5 and Xbox as part of a large update, alongside additional gameplay options, new story material and quality-of-life improvements. It also introduced a complete single-player mode and the option to avoid player-versus-player combat entirely.
I briefly tried the PC version at launch, but the recent console release gave me the excuse to spend proper time in its deserts. The result has been a surprisingly accessible experience, particularly for anyone who normally avoids the genre.
A natural fit for PS5
Dune: Awakening runs well on PS5 and translates effectively to a controller. Inventory management, base construction, combat and exploration all feel comfortable, whether I am travelling on foot or using a vehicle. I have not missed playing with a mouse.
On a large television with a PS5 gamepad, the game feels closer to an action-adventure title than a traditionally PC-focused survival crafter. That presentation helped me settle into its systems rather than immediately bouncing off the usual grind.
My first character went through the opening hours in the new single-player mode. It worked smoothly and did not feel like a deliberately reduced version of an MMO. I completed quests, gained levels and tried to stay alive by collecting blood and dew water in Arrakis’ unforgiving environment.
When my brother wanted to join me, there was one limitation: a single-player character cannot transfer to a multiplayer server. I had to create another character, although the game lets you skip the tutorial and opening section after completing it once. That small feature makes starting again far less frustrating.
Gathering resources without the tedium
Playing together, we built a rough hut in the desert, collected materials and hunted bandits for supplies. This cooperative stretch highlighted what separates Dune: Awakening from many survival-crafting games: gathering resources is genuinely enjoyable.
You scan rocks and other objects before using a laser to cut through a highlighted area. The target breaks apart and the resources are collected automatically. The process is quick, readable and satisfying, rather than a long interruption between the more interesting parts of the game.
That design approach is worth noting for anyone comparing different kinds of arcade and gaming news. The best games often make their supporting systems feel like play instead of chores.
Combat that encourages trouble
The combat is another pleasant surprise. It will not replace the leading third-person shooters or action games, but it is responsive, dangerous and brisk. Moving between cover during a firefight feels deliberate, while using a knife to break an enemy’s holo-shield gives encounters a useful sense of timing.
Fights do not feel like a sequence of canned animations, nor do they have the sluggishness and awkwardness often associated with survival games. I enjoy engaging enemies enough that I sometimes go looking for bandits simply because I want something to do.
Co-op makes the experience even better. Our online sessions have been remarkably stable, with almost no noticeable lag or strange technical problems. Everything has simply worked, which is an increasingly welcome quality in an online game.
Arrakis feels dangerous and immense
I am not a lifelong Dune expert. I have read the first book, though that was back in middle school, and I have not yet watched the recent films. Even with that limited background, I have always liked the setting and its atmosphere, and the game captures much of that character.
Arrakis feels ancient and lethal. Huge ships hang overhead with an oppressive sense of scale, while the early story continually reminds you that your character is only a small part of a much larger and poorly understood conflict. Fans will likely have fun spotting references and Easter eggs; I have been content simply to survive in the setting.
For players who enjoy building their own gaming space around atmospheric experiences, RETROCADE’s arcade machines and DIY arcade projects offer a different way to make games part of the room.
When survival turns into comedy
The game’s harshness also creates room for some very silly moments. During a late-night session, my brother and I decided to investigate the enormous sandworm that patrols the open desert. Crossing exposed sand is risky: the creature can swallow you and permanently take everything you are carrying.
After several nights of avoiding it and escaping by narrow margins, curiosity won. My brother removed his equipment and clothing, then ran beyond our base to draw the worm’s attention. For a few seconds, Dune: Awakening became an improvised stunt show.
He managed to tease the creature for a while before his luck ended. The worm finally consumed him, leaving us with an excellent story and no screenshot because I was laughing too hard to capture the moment.
A survival game I want to keep playing
I cannot yet judge the endgame, and I have not explored every long-term system. I also do not know whether later balance changes or community controversies will affect the wider game. Those questions have not mattered much during my time with it.
Right now, Dune: Awakening is enjoyable both alone and with my brother. Its controller support, approachable resource gathering, capable combat and strong sense of place have done something I did not expect: they have made a survival-crafting game feel worth sticking with.
Leave a Reply