Dune: Spice Wars

Released

Release Date: September 14, 2023

Dune: Spice Wars is an RTS with 4X elements, set in the universe created by Frank Herbert. It was developed by Shiro Games, the creators of the warmly welcomed Northgard.

7.7

OpenCritic

8.0

Steam

5.9

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Plot
Game mechanics
Technical aspects

Dune: Spice Wars is a real-time strategy with clearly outlined 4X elements. It is based on the license of 18×16 svgDune, the bestselling science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. Game was developed by Shiro Games team, known for genre-related Northgard. It was published by Funcom, the company holding the rights to the brand.

Plot

Dune: Spice Wars takes us on a journey to the distant future. The action of this production is set on the planet Arrakis, which is the source of Melange - a spice that expands consciousness, allows interstellar travel and extends life, which makes it the most valuable resource in the universe. During the game we become the leader of one of the factions, as Duke Leto Atreides or Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, among others, to take total control over this desert globe, and what follows - over the deposits of Melange. It's only up to us how we achieve our goal.

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Game mechanics

In Dune: Spice Wars we observe the action from the top-down view. We focus mainly on extracting the spice. Sending ornithopters on a reconnaissance, we gradually discover the map and learn about the location of deposits of Melange, to which we can then send reapers created for its extraction. We sell the gathered resources and the gained funds can be spent on expanding our headquarters, improving technology or finally on recruiting soldiers.

A powerful army is needed both to defend our domain against the attacks of enemies and to conquer new territories. In the latter case, however, it should be taken into that aggressive behavior does not necessarily have to be liked by the Emperor exercising supreme power in this universe, and what follows - ultimately may bring us trouble. Therefore, often a better solution is diplomacy, as well as plotting various political intrigues. We can take care of our interests without bloodshed by voting on various political resolutions in the Landsraad.

We should also not forget that Arrakis is home to creatures, which we can't cope with either by army or diplomacy. Sandworms, the giant creatures that live beneath the desert sands, devour everything from humans to entire harvesters. To protect ourselves against them, we should look out for the signs of their arrival and evacuate all units exposed to their attacks.

Technical aspects

Graphics of Dune: Spice Wars looks good. The style is different from any of the previous Dune adaptations.

Platforms:

PC Windows September 14, 2023

Xbox Series X/S November 28, 2023

Early Access:April 26, 2022

Developer: Shiro Games

Publisher: Funcom

Age restrictions: 12+

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Features

guide

Last Update: April 29, 2022

Dune Spice Wars Guide

Dune Spice Wars guide, is the best Begginer's Guide, for combat, politics, resource acquisition. We describe all mechanics, missions, operations, factions, currencies, research, Fremen Raids, Landsraad, victory conditions, system requirements, keybinds.

Dune Spice Wars Guide

News

Dune Strategy Game Coming Soon to PC Game

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Top s for Dune: Spice Wars Video Game:

trainer Dune: Spice Wars - 28.04.2022 +6 Trainer (WeMod) - May 4, 2022

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System Requirements

System Requirements for Dune: Spice Wars Video Game:

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5 2.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 1050 / Radeon RX 550 or better, 4 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Recommanded System Requirements:
Intel Core i7 2.8 GHz / AMD Ryzen 7, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1080 / Radeon RX 6600 or better, 4 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Expansions

List of Game Expansions for Video Game:

Dune: Spice Wars - House Vernius of Ix

Expansion

March 7, 2024

Strategy

The first expansion to the 2023 strategy game. Dune: Spice Wars - House Vernius of Ix focuses on the titular Vernius house, specializing in secret research on self-learning machines. The new faction offers new units and mechanics, including a Nodal Network.

Dune: Spice Wars - House Vernius of Ix

Ratings

Game Ratings for Dune: Spice Wars Video Game.

7.7

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 71% of Critics. There are 20 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

IGN: 9 / 10 by Leana Hafer

Dune: Spice Wars is a clever, multilayered, challenging RTS that skillfully translates so much of what is cool about Frank Herbert's universe in its interesting mechanics.

Full Review

Eurogamer: 3 / 5 by Andrei Pechalin

A wide range of systems make Dune: Spice Wars an enjoyable 4X, but the depth of Frank Herbert's world-building is largely lost in translation.

Full Review

Attack of the Fanboy: 4.5 / 5 by Shaun Cichacki

With a haunting soundtrack, great sound effects, a great visual style that stands out from the crowd, excellent commanding gameplay, and the plethora of options that you'll be able to take to achieve victory, you'll find yourself excited to try to take command of the Spice, even if you end suffering a crushing loss.

Full Review

80%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Mostly Positive (10,606)

STEAM

Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Strategic Depth: Many players appreciate the depth of strategy involved, with multiple paths to victory including political influence, economic control, and military domination.
Lore Integration: The game effectively incorporates elements from the Dune universe, including character abilities and political mechanics, which are well-received by fans of the franchise.
Multiplayer Experience: The multiplayer mode is highlighted as a fun and intense experience, with players enjoying the real-time strategy aspect against human opponents.
Replay Value: The game offers good replayability, with different factions and strategies to explore.
Visuals and Sound: The graphics and sound design are generally considered satisfying and contribute to the immersive experience.

The main cons of the game

Slow Pace: Several reviews mention that the game can feel slow, both in of unit movement and overall gameplay tempo, which can lead to boredom.
Lack of Single-Player Engagement: Players have noted that the single-player experience can be tedious and does not respect players' time, with some finding the AI unchallenging or poorly balanced.
Limited Campaign Content: The absence of a robust campaign mode is criticized, with many feeling that the game lacks depth and narrative compared to classic RTS games.
Technical Issues: Some s report performance issues, including frame rate drops after extended play sessions.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to s

Dynamic Campaign Mode: Players express a desire for a more engaging campaign experience with richer storytelling and scenarios.
More Varied Gameplay Mechanics: Some reviews mention that the game could benefit from additional mechanics or features that enhance gameplay variety, including better integration of the sandworm mechanic.
Tutorials and Guidance: s feel that the game lacks clear tutorials for complex mechanics, making it difficult for newcomers to fully grasp the gameplay.
AI Improvements: There are calls for better AI behavior, as players have experienced frustrating situations where the AI does not react logically to game dynamics.
Broader Faction Distinctions: Players wish for more unique characteristics among factions, making each one feel distinct in strategy and gameplay style.

Summary

Overall, "Dune: Spice Wars" is seen as a game with potential, particularly for fans of the Dune franchise and strategy games, but it currently suffers from pacing issues, a lack of depth in single-player content, and some technical shortcomings.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024

5.9

S Score

Average score from votes.

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