Dune Awakening: PS5 Review

Developed by Funcom
Published by Bandai Namco
Platform: PS5

With the third and final part of the Dune film series coming out this year, there's never been a better time to revisit the world of Arrakis and this port of the old game will no doubt fuel some of that spice that people feel for the Atreides saga.

Set in the Dune-iverse, the game which benefits from a solo player campaign, rather than just the online version that existed before, gives you the chance to craft and survive, scavenge and fight your way around Arrakis, as well as discovering the deep lore that exists there.

You play an agent, sent by the Bene Gesserit to investigate the apparent disappearance of the Fremen. Which in theory sounds like a simple concept, but the planet of Arrakis proves to be the biggest enemy you face as the harsh desert conditions conspire against you to make survival anything but guaranteed.

From sandworms to sandstorms, the reality of surviving Dune Awakening is harder to face than you think. With a game that relies on crafting and fighting, the pressure's constantly on to make it further into your quest. There are a range of customisation options at the start of the game which can be tweaked (to varying effect) but are necessary to give you the very best chance to get through.

The game's multiplayer mode is also present, but the solo mode, while challenging, gives a little more of a hint of being part of the world - and as a result can feel much more rewarding than perhaps you'd first think. Perhaps the online world is better spent teamed up with friends, but the solo mode represents a leap forward in terms of where the game originally launched from.

Graphically, the game stands up - you can almost feel the sand in your throat as you face a sandstorm which can see you lose both your life and everything you've crafted and built up. Combat is better in melee, but the weapons (blades, mostly) don't really feel like you've stood a chance and when guns come into play, the game's a little more level.

Ultimately, Dune Awakening is a test of both commitment and atmosphere - it may occasionally feel like a punishing grind,  but in a world of games where the Souls-like narrative punishes those who play on, this return to Arrakis is a welcome drink in a very dusty gaming ocean.