Just like with almost every survival game before it, one of the main focuses of Dune: Awakening is the combat. If players want to have any chance at survival, they need to be ready to combat all the dangers that lurk throughout Arrakis. This is not just exclusive to NPCs, as they will also spend much of their time butting heads with other players, especially in higher-level areas. While that can lead to a lot of fun, it may also be one of Dune: Awakening's biggest weaknesses.
Some players may find that after spending hours fighting all sorts of enemies, Dune: Awakening's combat can feel a bit monotonous. The actual mechanics are rather stale, with hardly any items or features that shake things up. With updates and post-launch content, Funcom could always improve things drastically, but as of now, Dune: Awakening's combat has left much to be desired, which is in stark contrast to the films set within this universe.
Dune: Awakening's Opening Hour Feels Like a Greatest Hits Compilation
Dune: Awakening does not waste anytime getting players into the action, and through those opening hours, it feels like a fantastic time for Dune fans.
Dune: Awakening is Let Down By Its Combat Sections
The Combat Feels Rather Monotonous
From the second players start their Dune: Awakening adventure, they must learn how to fight off the enemies that lurk around every corner. To do this, they must craft a melee and ranged weapon. Then, they must craft ammo for the gun so that they can actually use it. Once they do so, they can fight off both NPCs and players, but instead of adding any strategy to the mix, players will spend much of their time just spamming left clicks until they win.
Occasionally, some enemies will have shields that players must break through. Additionally, players can also unlock various powers to give them an edge in combat. However, none of these features really shake things up that much. In fact, some players may just end up not using said powers as enemies can be beaten fairly easily without them, especially in the lower-level zones. Even when they unlock vehicles, the combat does not change a lot, which makes for a lackluster experience overall. Luckily, the immersive nature of Arrakis really helps make up for it, but the dramatic fight scenes of the movies do not really have any presence in Dune: Awakening.
There is So Much More Funcom Could Do With Dune: Awakening's Combat
Dune: Awakening's combat definitely holds the game back from greatness, especially because the films put such a heavy emphasis on it. Of course, one of the main focuses of Dune is Paul Atreides' journey. But through that, moviegoers have been treated to all sorts of stellar action sequences, with some being jaw-dropping on the big screen. Some of the best parts of those films are said action set pieces, with the second film taking them to new heights. Sadly, Dune: Awakening does not follow in those footsteps.
Dune: Awakening has just hit store shelves, and Funcom is already promising a slew of DLC through its season pass. Alongside that will likely come numerous post-launch updates to keep players coming back to Arrakis for years to come. So, the studio will have so many changes to spruce up the combat in exciting new ways. It could add a plethora of new weapons, introduce much larger conflicts, add exciting new vehicles, and give players a wide assortment of abilities to unleash on their opponents. As long as these additions fit into the lore of Frank Herbert's world, they could make the experience feel truly special.
It remains to be seen just what Funcom has planned for Dune: Awakening's future. The updates could improve combat onsiderably, and they likely will as the game puts a heavy emphasis on its PvP. So, players will just have to wait and see.
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Survival, MMO
