What Works
You start the game by selecting your character’s background and a mentor, which influences your initial skill trees (more can be unlocked later). From there, you’re dropped into the unforgiving desert with nothing but your wits and the scraps you find around you. A companion character communicates with you via radio, guiding you as you begin to gather resources, craft equipment, and build your base.
The building system isn’t revolutionary, but the Dune aesthetic elevates it. You can place structures in open desert areas or merge them into rocky outcrops, giving your base a distinct visual identity. In my short time with the game, I only had access to basic materials and blueprints, but even so, I appreciated the flexibility in design. You’re not limited to boxy shacks—curved walls and stylistic elements are available from the start.
Thirst is the main survival stat here. You’ll need to stay hydrated by harvesting moisture-rich plants, or more grimly, extracting water from NPCs by extracting their blood with an extractor or drinking their blood directly if you’re in a pinch. Staying out of the harsh sunlight is also important, but interestingly, hunger doesn’t seem to be a concern in this version of Arrakis.
As I expanded my base, I found myself enjoying the narrative structure layered over the survival gameplay. Even as someone only lightly familiar with the Dune lore, the story had just enough mystery and direction to keep me engaged. Exploring caves, research labs, and NPC-populated towns felt rewarding, yielding blueprints, gear, and resources. I didn’t see many of the dynamic world events, like crashing ships or Coriolis storms that are said to shape the landscape of the game world, but their inclusion adds a layer of unpredictability that could shine in the full release. I did experience the infamous sandworms as you travel through the open desert invites them to go in your direction, and if you’re noisy enough, they might just pop up to have you as a snack. I sadly became one that resulted in me losing all my equipment and items in my backpack as I respawned naked, so death is painful in this game.
