Dune: Awakening's Spiciest Update Yet? Murders, Mysteries, and a Very Goofy Treadwheel Roll Onto Arrakis
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Dune: Awakening's latest free update brings 'gruesome murders,' new customizations, and dynamic encounters, while the 'Lost Harvest' paid DLC adds a standalone story and a wonderfully goofy Treadwheel. It's an attempt by Funcom to inject fresh life and narrative into the game, especially for players who might have dropped off due to its survival-heavy grind, and they're even offering a free play period to entice returners.
Right, so Dune: Awakening, Funcom's ambitious foray into the survival MMO genre set on the ever-charming (and incredibly deadly) planet of Arrakis, just dropped its first 'major' free update. And let me tell you, I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it's got more layers than a Bene Gesserit plot.
Now, full disclosure: if you, like me, found yourself somehow fused to a half-built shack, or perhaps became an unfortunate, furry chunk of worm jerky somewhere between the launch and Act 3, then you're probably wondering what 'revelations' the original article was banging on about. Fair dinkum, I didn't make it that far either. My character's currently enjoying an extended nap under a pile of misplaced crafting materials. But fear not, fellow desert wanderers, because even if you're not caught up on the grand narrative, there's plenty to sink your teeth into.
Apparently, Arrakis has turned into a proper crime scene. We're talking 'gruesome murders' to investigate, leading to 'misbegotten secrets' of the planet. Now, I don't know about you, but in a survival game, the biggest mystery I usually uncover is where I left my last water-collecting array. So, the idea of genuine narrative-driven murder mysteries in the vast, unforgiving sands? That's a curious twist, isn't it? It suggests a push towards more structured content beyond the usual 'gather, craft, survive, repeat' loop, which, if executed well, could be just the spice needed to keep things fresh.
Beyond the grimdark detective work, there's a good chunk of new character customization hitting the dunes. We're talking fresh hairstyles, new tattoos, and a bunch of contracts and items to mess around with. The press release also mentioned 'dynamic encounters that breathe more life into the ever-shifting deserts of Dune.' Sounds grand, doesn't it? Though I'm still trying to figure out if 'ever-shifting' means more than just 'the sand moved a bit overnight.' One can't help but feel a tiny pang of skepticism there, especially when the marketing speak starts to sound a bit like a wizard promising infinite mana but only delivering a slightly brighter glow stick. Still, a more lively Arrakis is always a welcome prospect, especially when you're not just dodging worms but also, presumably, dodging newly dynamic raiders.
Now, this free update isn't flying solo. It's accompanied by the launch of the paid 'Lost Harvest' DLC, which, rather interestingly, comprises a standalone story. 'Dig deep into the lore of Dune and you may recoil at what stares back,' the press release ominously hints. By gawd, it sounds Nietzschean down there! Abyssal ruminations aside, this DLC isn't just existential dread. It packs 'the new Dune Man building pieces,' which I'm genuinely curious about – are we talking sand-crete brutalism or something more ornate? Plus, new decorations, cosmetic armor sets, weapons, swatches (because fashion is key, even when fighting for your life against Harkonnens), and a 'Thumper emote.' I'm picturing a very elaborate dance that mimics calling a worm. Here's hoping it doesn't accidentally summon one in a tight spot.
But the real star of the DLC, for my money, is the new vehicle: the Treadwheel. Picture a doubled-up Penny Farthing, but with absolutely 'phat treads.' Honestly, who needs a tactical advantage when you can cruise Arrakis looking like you just rolled off a steampunk fashion runway? The developers assure us it has 'unique animations and handling' but crucially, 'does not confer any real advantages over the sandbike equivalent in the base game.' And that, mate, is the Jeff seal of approval for a cosmetic item. It's all about the style points, isn't it? Why break the balance when you can just look incredibly cool – or incredibly silly – doing your thing?
Now, let's address the elephant (or perhaps the Shai-Hulud) in the room. Dune: Awakening has, shall we say, 'fallen down the charts a bit' since its launch in June. And yeah, I reckon a fair few of us dipped out early once the survival game aspects started to feel a bit too much like... well, a survival game. The endless grubbing for materials, the slightly-too-generic holo-template building system – it felt, at times, like a missed opportunity to truly lean into the *Dune* part of *Dune*. As Brendy (RPS in peace) rather eloquently put it in their review, the game offered 'a harsh planet of unintentional comedy, braindead NPCs, and plenty of grindy crafting.' A bit of a gut punch, but fair enough, right?
So, will these new additions bring folks back? Funcom's clearly hoping so, because they're letting people play for free from September 11th to 15th, including all the new update content. There's a discount running after that, too, to lure in those who develop a taste for the sands. It's a smart move, giving players a no-strings-attached peek at what's changed, especially for those of us who, perhaps, got a bit too cozy with a crafting table and never quite made it to Act 3.
While I'm not sure I'll be jumping back in for a marathon session just yet – my character and her fused furniture situation are quite content – I'm genuinely curious about the direction. Adding more narrative oomph and quirky vehicles is a good sign. It shows a willingness to evolve beyond the core survival loop, which is always a promising step. Here's hoping the 'gruesome murders' are actually engaging, and that Treadwheel brings some much-needed joy. I'm properly interested to hear how you spice miners out there are getting on with the new content, especially with two more paid DLCs on the horizon in the game's season pass. Let's see if Arrakis can truly shift its destiny.
**Source:** Rock Paper Shotgun
Tags: DuneAwakening, MMO, SurvivalGame, GameUpdate, DLC
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun