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Writer's pictureVincent Blackwood

The Real-Time Strategy game you should play before Dune Awakening

Updated: Sep 6


House Atreides are the central house and hero of the Dune Series including the books, movies, and video games
House Atreides from Dune: Spice Wars

Following the 2021 debut of the movie Dune, the popularity of the franchise has surged significantly. With the recent launch of the sequel and the unveiling of Dune Awakening at Gamescom 2024, the excitement surrounding the series shows no signs of diminishing. Enthusiasts of the legendary desert world now have fresh opportunities to immerse themselves in Frank Herbert's science fiction classic. For those who enjoy real-time strategy games, this experience is embodied in Dune: Spice Wars.

Dune: Spice Wars was developed by Shiro Games, a company you might recognize as the creators of the highly acclaimed real-time strategy game, Northgard. With Shiro Games at the helm, Dune: Spice Wars was anticipated to be a promising title. Leveraging their previous experiences and triumphs, Shiro Games has indeed met expectations. At the time of this writing, Dune: Spice Wars boasts a Metacritic score of 77 and has garnered "mostly positive" reviews on Steam. While not extraordinarily outstanding, these reviews deem the game appealing enough to entice fans.

In Dune: Spice Wars, players can choose from six distinct factions. The traditional houses of Atreides and Harkonnen are present, along with The Freemen. Additionally, players can select The Smugglers, House Corrino, and House Ecaz. Each faction offers a unique play style and exclusive units, yet the ultimate objective remains consistent for all: to amass the greatest amount of spice.


The Six playable factions you can pick in the RTS game Dune: Spice Wars
Dune: Spice Wars Playable Factions

It's worth noting that while the Spice collection holds strategic importance in the game, it is not the sole focus of competition among factions. To boost your economy and military strength, you will require various other resources like Manpower, Water, Solari, and Fuel Cells. Resources such as Hegemony, Knowledge, and Influence, which are intangible, will also be crucial for your path to victory. Similar to typical RTS games, you can engage in individual matches against both players and AI opponents. A grand campaign mode allows you to vie for strategically significant territories and outmaneuver rivals in a bid to dominate the entire region of Arrakas.


The recent reveal of Dune: Awakening, a highly anticipated addition to the Dune franchise, has sparked excitement and speculation among fans worldwide. The announcement, strategically timed to coincide with the Gamescom 2024 event, has further heightened the anticipation surrounding this new installment. As enthusiasts eagerly await the release of more Dune content across various platforms, the prospect of immersing oneself in the innovative real-time strategy gameplay of Dune: Awakening is particularly enticing.




Whether you are a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer looking to explore the world of Dune for the first time, Dune: Spice Wars holds the promise of an engaging and rewarding gaming experience. So, as you eagerly anticipate the arrival of this latest addition to the Dune saga, why not prepare yourself for the adventure by delving into this inventive real-time strategy game? We are confident that you will find yourself captivated by the world of Dune and its myriad possibilities. Get ready to embark on a journey like no other – one that is sure to leave you wanting more.



Play Dune: Spice Wars now on Xbox Game Pass or grab a copy for yourself on Humble Bundle! You can also preorder or Wishlist Dune Awakening on steam by clicking here!


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