Since Funcom announced that I was developing Dune: Awakening (in the midst of the success of Warner’s films), expectations have not stopped growing and measure June 5, date of its PC launchthe hype begins to be as hot as the Arrrakis arena.
And is that the idea of transferring the complexity of Universe created by Frank Herbert to a concept Mmo of survival In the open world it sounded as fascinating as risky, because the genre does not go through its best moment, especially for bets that will require a first large disbursement of money.
So yes, the questions arise alone: could a video game capture the essence of Arrakis, that hostile planet where water is more valuable than life, Politics crosses everything and the desert swallows to dreams?
Now that the launch is just around the corner we have been able to Try the closed beta which has launched Funcom for just over a week.
We have been able to travel throughout the deep desert where this MMO takes place that, to some extent, we cannot assure if it is more a Persistent online world in the style of the World of Warcraft, Lineage, etc., or a pure and hard survival game Of those that have become fashionable in recent years and have millions of fans.
Have you fulfilled the promised one? Do you have Dune: Awakeninging what is necessary to become a new reference within the genre?
An alternative temporal line: Where is Paul Domena?
One of the boldest movements of the game is that it does not follow the classic plot line of the saga.
In this alternative universe, Paul Domerides – a key figure of the original – was never born. This narrative decision opens the door to a completely new story that, however, respects the keys to the Dune Universe: its aesthetics, its philosophy and its constant conflicts between factions.
In this context, the player assumes the role of a Benesert agentone of the factions with more influence and hides more mysteries in the galaxy.
These women, who have been trained in the art of persuasion, political tactics – that of high flights – and genetic manipulation, will be the conductive thread of a story focused on the Disappearance of the Fremen and the imbalance of power that has occurred in Arrakis.
If you have seen the films in Denis Villeneuve, you will surely remember the decisive role of this kind of somewhat sinister priestesses.
Extreme survival: the desert does not forgive
From the first minute, Dune: Awakening makes it clear that in Arrakis it is not survived without effort, without sweating (easy joke). Following the wake of Other Mmo As Conan Exiles (also of Funcom), the experience begins with very basic survival mechanics.
Find water sources, manufacture tools to collect resources, build a shelter and avoid the threats of the surrounding environment to make the great leap when we can create a Tier capable of reabsorbing water.
But best of all, The environment is not a mere decorated. Sand storms can bury your refuge, end up with you in seconds and, of course, giant worms react to the vibrations of the desert, to our indisimulated steps on the sand; And human enemies do not hesitate to take advantage of any weakness to attack us.
This dynamic generates a constant tension, Even in the most advanced phases of the game, where it is no longer enough to survive: you have to dominate.
As progress is made, Dune: Awakening is revealing new playable layers. Settlements (pure and hard housing) can be expanded and specialized, open trade routes and allow alliances with other players.
There are also PVP clashes (player against player), where territory control becomes a collective obsession.
NPC interaction is not limited to processing dialogues. There are systems of influence and reputation that can open (or close) political, economic and strategic paths.
The player can literally climb socially in the Arrakis universe, becoming a key figure within the geopolitical board of the game if he throws a lot of time and patience.
A character, a thousand possibilities
One of Dune’s great strengths: Awakening is his customization system. Not only can you modify the physical appearance of your avatar, but also its origin, its mentor and its ideological orientation within the universe.
These elections are not merely cosmetic: they determine your initial skills, your development possibilities and the way in which the world perceives you.
There are unofficial “classes” ranging from warriors specialized in melee combat or with remote weapons, to political manipulators, expert negotiators or characters with high -level social skills.
-This variety fosters Very different game styles And allow each game to be unique. Obviously we have not given us time to go very far but we have glimpsed from some of them the first stages of their skills.
Unlike other survival things where history is relegated to the bottom of the drawer, Dune: Awakening is committed to an active narrative. There are main missions, global events that alter the world and decisions that have real impact on progression.
All of that will tell us with cinematographic sequences that are climbing in the narrative arch.
This does not mean that the game takes you hand in hand – the world is still open and dangerous – but There is a sense of purposeof being participating in a bigger story. And that, in a universe like Dune’s, is fundamental.
Arrakis changes over time
One of the most innovative elements of the game is The way the map evolves. Sand storms not only affect visibility or combat: they reconfigure the terrain, open and close routes and can completely alter the geography of an area.
This forces players to constantly adapt, either exploring new areas, defending their bases or reorganizing their commercial routes.
The world never feels static. There are time cycles, natural phenomena that alter the behavior of NPC and unique events that are only activated under certain conditions and moments of the game.
Visually, Dune: Awakening is a title with a strong aesthetic identity. He does not seek a photographic realism, but a coherence with the recent film universe of Denis Villeneuve.
Infinite deserts, cities -Fortaleza and ritual spaces are recreated with an elegant and minimalist art direction, as well as elements that remind us that things can always get worse.
Whether at night or day, when in addition to walking through the desert we are roasting and losing life.
As we have commented before, Cinematographic sequences not only fulfill a narrative function: they are part of the atmosphere. Music and sound effects contribute to reinforcing that feeling of loneliness, danger and mysticism that characterizes Dune.
Multiplayer with meaning: alliances, betrayals and diplomacy
In a MMO the key is how interactions between players are managed. Here Dune: Awakening introduces elements of diplomacy, strategic alliances and betrayals They remind the best moments of games like Eve online.
The factions can declare war, form coalitions, or even infiltrate players in enemy clans for political purposes.
This adds A very rich metajuego layerwhere decisions are not made only on the battlefield, but also in negotiation rooms.
Of course, we don’t know if there were not many players at the same time (it was a closed beta) but We have not crossed too many players during our games.
Also, the fact that there were several servers by region (Europe, Asia and the US) The same has not helped to concentrate all those who have tried the game to meet. We have had a feeling of absolute loneliness.
Dune: Awakening has everything necessary to mark an important turning point in the history of the gender of the survival MMO. Its unique setting, its strategic depth and its commitment to a very worked narrative they make it a difficult proposal to ignore.
But as in Arrakis itself, where betrayal is on the prowl and the desert does not forgive, everything will depend on the adaptation capacity.
If the game manages to stay alive with many players, listening to their community and contributing relevant content, we will be facing one of the great titles of the year.
The marked date is June 5. Then we will know if this interplanetary adventure is destined to reign … or be swallowed by the sands of oblivion.
Text by José Luís Sanz for Hobby Consolas
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