Dune Awakening is a sport with a lot promise. Set in Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi world, its sprawling reimagining of the sweltering world of Arrakis, coupled with its colossal sandworms and ornithopters, set the stage for the proper survival MMO. But it surely’s hardly been clean crusing for Funcom, with endgame content material constantly coming below fireplace, in addition to its PvP expertise, which has, as is usually the case, fallen sufferer to waves of cheaters. Coming into Chapter 3, nonetheless, the sport is getting its “largest replace but,” which overhauls the Landsraad system and deepens a number of endgame methods.
Let’s begin with the Landsraad. Earlier than Chapter 3, you and your guildmates would spend your time finishing missions and vying for a seat on the political desk. 25 positions had been up for grabs, with the Landsraad resetting weekly to make sure a constant turnover of gamers. Whereas it is nice on paper, the system bumped into just a few points post-launch, with most quests boiling right down to ‘go right here, get this,’ making them extra of an annoying timesink than anything.
The system has been “rebuilt from the bottom up,” says Dune Awakening’s artistic director, Josh Bylos, and provides new rewards for each grouped-up and solo gamers, in addition to expanded faction ranks and the brand new specialization system. You will now have the ability to select from Fight, Crafting, Exploring, Gathering, or Sabotage, permitting you to degree up your means.
There are additionally 5 new problem places, which enhance your faction progress, affect Landsraad management, and contribute specialization XP, alongside 5 new Testing Stations with their related bosses. The Increase Station additionally allows you to degree up tier 6 gear to make you much more formidable than you in all probability already are.
Talking of substances, there are some new weapons, too. There’s the formidable dual-wield knives that remind me slightly little bit of Feyd-Rautha’s in Dune Half Two, the Pyrocket, and a rework to the Rapier, which is music to my ears.
And, in fact, we have got hours-worth of latest story content material, which picks up the place Chapter 2 left off and sees you battle your means via the Neo Carthog dueling ring whilst you uncover your previous and face some uncomfortable truths.
There’s additionally the paid Raiders of the Land DLC, which is included for gamers who already personal a Season Cross. It provides an entire slew of latest constructing elements (73 to be exact) and 17 ornament items impressed by the Imperium’s law-bending Smugglers. There’s loads of blue, yellow, and brown, so should you’re seeking to remodel your property away from dwelling right into a contraband paradise, that is completely the pack for you.
Funcom has confirmed that Dune Awakening Chapter 3 arrives in early 2026. The Chapter 3 replace is free for all gamers, however the Raiders of the Land DLC prices $9.99 for individuals who do not personal a Season Cross. It is also 35% off within the Steam Winter Sale; the sport’s deepest low cost but. You may seize it right here.
As somebody who loves an excellent MMO, I have been searching for a purpose to make a journey again to Arrakis. I am fairly certain my first base is lengthy gone (as is my Maud’Dib terrarium, I miss you ‘lil man), however I am excited to see how far the sport has come. For now, although, Christmas seems like the proper time to rewatch the flicks, proper? So get on it.
