• Uncategorised

Dune: Spice Wars is for strategy die-hards more than Dune fans

As a recent Dune fan thanks to the recent film adaptation and a newbie to the world of real-time strategy games, I was excited to try out the new Dune: Spice Wars. I’ve seen the acclaim gained by the old Westwood Dune titles, so this fresh take on the series quickly grabbed my attention. Sadly, Spice Wars made me look to the past for a better introduction to the genre.

Strategy in the sands

Dune Spice Wars is a 4x real-time strategy game that places players in control of one of the famous factions of the series: The Fremen, House Atreides, House Harkonnen, or the Smugglers.

Each faction comes with their own special abilities. The main goal as the leader of one of these groups is to control the mining resources and use them and the profit economic power gained from them to become the strongest of the four sides. The big problem when it comes to this is I had no idea how anything worked.

While I expected a real-time strategy to be complicated, I didn’t think the learning curve would come from the actual tutorial. There are so many pieces to the puzzle that I found myself wishing the text blocks were much more in-depth. The game expects you to quickly learn how to use your armies, what to do with your obtained assets, how to deal with other factions politically, how to satisfy the people of your faction, and how to pay your taxes (seriously) after barely going into detail on each mechanic.

It really feels like the game is chasing the the dedicated RTS crowd, but its not friendly for newcomers hoping to hop in the genre through a fan-favorite IP. I had to capture civilizations near spice farms, which is easier said than done. It involved sending out a recon drone maintained with spice and water, but those resources are crucial to keeping my people happy.

This is a relatively normal balance for the genre, but its not explained well here. I found myself fumbling back and forth when something like a political conference came around because I had no clue what I was really voting on. I also ended up committing tax evasion since I didn’t know how to optimally mine my spices until it was too late.

Lack of ambition

I was thinking a new Dune game would be eager to welcome in new players, especially since the franchise just saw the release of a blockbuster film with an all-star cast, making it a perfect starting point for the RTS genre.

Instead, Dune Spice Wars had me fending myself from the giant sandworms with nothing but a half-baked instruction manual. When I finally figured out how the game worked, I found myself enjoying certain aspects. I loved seeing the world around me grow and watching the faction I selected, the Fremen, gain more power to take on the seemingly higher houses like the Harkonnen.

Watching my armies slowly take over surrounding territories and seeing my spice count constantly grow gave me that buzz I was hoping to get from a slow-burn RTS experience. The visuals are all a Dune fan could ask for too, giving players familiar with the source material a narrative through scenery. Still, there are elements that left me clicking around until I found how something like espionage worked and wishing I could read a more fully formed tutorial.

Dune Spice Wars is a game that has less ambition than it should in its current early access build.

I really expected an eye-opening journey into the genre through a franchise I already enjoyed. The world of Dune has so much that a title like this can capitalize on, but so many potential creative opportunities miss the mark. Instead, this is a game created mostly for those that were already enamored with the classic Dune titles.

While Dune Spice Wars may have some enjoyable mechanics for fans of the RTS genre, I don’t see it as a great jumping-in point for those unfamiliar with how they work or Dune fans.

And for RTS fans, just know that you’re diving into an early access experience that’s not going to be as fleshed out as other strategy games currently on the market.

Dune Spice Wars will be available on PC via early access on April 26.

Editors’ Recommendations

Tags:

flexicover-insurance listed on couponmatrix.ukfootasylum listed on couponmatrix.ukjust-vitamins listed on couponmatrix.uknespresso listed on couponmatrix.ukonbuy listed on couponmatrix.ukponden-home-interiors listed on couponmatrix.uk
flexicover-insurance listed on couponmatrix.ukFlexicover are the UK's Number One direct travel insurance retailer, making them the first name that comes to mind for millions of satisfied customers. Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure they have access to the best deals on the market with minimal overheads and economies of scale that combine to give you enormous savings. Use the Flexicover Discount Code and you're guaranteed to benefit from complete peace of mind at an exceptional price, freeing up cash to spend on gourmet restaurants, spa experiences and other travel luxuries you'd never normally be able to afford.
footasylum listed on couponmatrix.ukAdd some streetwear to your wardrobe with Footasylum, the foot and clothing brand that defies traditional trends in place of daring urban styles. From cropped training tops to decade-defining footwear including UGG boots and Adidas Original trainers, we at Groupon have ways to save on a myriad of fashion staples thanks to our latest Footasylum discount codes. Sporting styles for men, women and children under its banner, there’s room for every family member to find their fashion sense at Footasylum.
just-vitamins listed on couponmatrix.ukMake sure your defences are in top tip condition with a selection of products from Just Vitamins, who sell the vitamins, minerals, herbs and nutritional supplements you need to keep you in good health and feeling great. With a Just Vitamins discount code you can cut price your order of vitamins - staying healthy needn’t cost the earth! From kids to adults, no matter your requirement Just Vitamins has the vits for you.
nespresso listed on couponmatrix.ukSometimes, bog-standard instant and average ground-coffee brews just won’t cut it. Nespresso is here to make your dreams of having barista-standard coffee in the comfort of your home a reality with over 13 types of machine and almost thirty varieties of coffee all at great prices. Use a Nespresso promo code to slice the price of your next order from Nespresso and your purchase will feel even more rewarding. With your own personal machine that makes you the perfect latte, cappuccino or americano every time, you’ll never want for an overpriced takeout coffee again! The best part is, all Nespresso aluminium capsules are fully recyclable - do your bit for the planet and take your used capsules to your nearest Doddle or Collect Plus point instead of throwing them in the kitchen bin.
onbuy listed on couponmatrix.ukOnBuy is an online marketplace that is truly epic. Make this your new favourite place to shop for consoles, outdoor furniture and beauty products to get the best possible prices. Hosting sellers that include household names and independent businesses, OnBuy's unique stock encompasses everything you could want from an online store. Add an OnBuy discount code at the checkout and you'll make an even bigger saving on your next purchase.
ponden-home-interiors listed on couponmatrix.ukPonden Home is a brand that offers quality home furnishings at an affordable price. They offer a wide range of products from bedding and bath items to kitchen and dining essentials. One way to save even more on their already low prices is by using a Ponden Home discount code. When shopping at Ponden Home, be sure to check for a discount code to save even more on your purchase! At Groupon, we understand that everyone likes to save money. That's why we work hard to find the best Ponden Home discounts and deals on your order. We search high and low for discount codes that can be used on their website. Whether it's a percentage off your total purchase or free shipping, we'll make sure you know about it! Plus, we'll even test the code to make sure it works before sharing it with you. So go ahead and browse our selection of Ponden Home deals - we know you'll find one that you love! If you're looking for quality home furnishings at an affordable price, then Ponden Home is the perfect place for you. One of their top-selling products is their selection of bedding. Whether you're looking for a new comforter or sheets, they have a wide range to choose from. Plus, you can often find a Ponden Home discount that will save you even more on your purchase! So don't wait any longer, head over to Ponden Home and start shopping for all your home essentials!