Dune: Spice Wars is a real time strategy game developed by Shiro Games and published by Funcom and Shiro Games. The game is based on the critically acclaimed universe created by Frank Herbert and the subsequent movie adaptations. It was released in Early Access on Steam for Microsoft Windows on April 26, 2022 and got into version 1.0 on September 14, 2023. It is also available for Xbox Series X/S.
Art direction keeps distance from the previous games and movies and has its own style. Although, it leans to Denis Villeneuve's movies. For example, in the appearance of game's logo, the fact Baron Vladimir is hairless (although other Harkonnen representatives are not), Liet-Kynes is a dark-skinned woman, or the design of units.
Synopsis[]
A real-time strategy game with 4X elements, from the developers of the critically acclaimed Northgard. Set in Frank Herbert's groundbreaking Dune universe, you must lead your faction and battle for control and dominance over the harsh desert planet of Arrakis.[1]
Plot[]
Gameplay[]
House Atreides seen within the game in their signature green colour.
A variety of factions can be controlled, including House Atreides and House Harkonnen. Victory can be obtained through a manner of methods, including subterfuge, politics, growth of economy, or straight-up warfare. The game boasts 4X dynamics in real-time.[2]
Developers Shiro Games later announced that the game would feature other groups such as the Spacing Guild and the Fremen; the game is largely based on "groups" and factions rather than houses, but developers confirmed that a variety of houses and non-houses would appear in the game.[3]
Factions and Leaders[]
- House Atreides - Duke Leto Atreides
- House Harkonnen - Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
- The Smugglers - Esmar Tuek
- The Fremen - Liet-Kynes
- House Corrino - Emperor Shaddam IV
- House Ecaz - Archduchess Armanda Ecaz
- House Vernius of Ix - Earl Rhombur Vernius
Councilors[]
Prior to each mission, the player has the option of selecting two councilors from a pool of four, to add to their faction's advantages.
- House Atreides
N.B. In the initial release of the game, House Atreides' available councilors were Thufir Hawat, Lady Jessica, Gurney Halleck, and Duncan Idaho. The game was later patched to make Gurney and Duncan playable characters (see "Heroes", below), replacing them with Dr. Yueh and Young Paul.
- House Harkonnen
- Cron Vatia
- Umman Kudu
- Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen
- Piter De Vries
N.B. In the initial release of the game, House Harkonnen's available councilors were Feyd-Rautha, Piter De Fries, Glossu Rabban, and Iakin Nefud. The game was later patched to make Rabban and Nefud playable characters (see "Heroes", below), replacing them with Cron Vatia and Umman Kudu.
- The Smugglers
- Staban Tuek
- Lingar Bewt
- Lashon Hara
- Stakkanov
N.B. In the initial release of the game, The Smugglers' available councilors were Staban Tuek, Lingar Bewt, Drisq, and Bannerjee. The game was later patched to make Drisq and Bannerjee playable characters (see "Heroes", below), replacing them with Lashon Hara and Stakkanov.
- The Fremen
N.B. In the initial release of the game, The Fremen's available councilors were Stilgar, Mother Ramllo, Chani Kynes, and Otheym. The game was later patched to make Chani and Otheym playable characters (see "Heroes", below), replacing them with Jamis and Shimoom.
- House Corrino
N.B. In the initial release of the game, House Corrino's available councilors were Princesses Irulan and Wensicia, Hasimir Fenring, and Otto Aramsham. The game was later patched to make Wensicia and Aramsham playable characters (see "Heroes", below), replacing them with Garon and Reverend Mother Mohiam.
- House Ecaz
- Sanya Ecaz
- Rivvy Dinari
- Ibbo Vipp
- Mesa Ecaz
N.B. In the initial release of the game, House Ecaz's available councilors were Sanya Ecaz, Whitmore Bludd, Ilesa Ecaz, and Mesa Ecaz. The game was later patched to make Whitmore and Ilesa playable characters (see "Heroes", below), replacing them with Rivvy Dinari and Ibbo Vipp..
- House Vernius of Ix
- Bolig Avati
- Bronso Vernius
- Cammar Pilru
- Tessia Vernius
Heroes[]
After reaching 10k Hegemony, the player can choose between two heroes to recruit as an unit that will influence their whole military strategy.
- House Atreides
- House Harkonnen
- The Smugglers
- The Fremen
- House Corrino
- House Ecaz
- House Vernius of Ix
- Nuwa Cenva
- C’tair Pilru
Units[]
The factions have access to different units - harvesters, ornithopters, military.
| Faction | Unit | Description | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atreides | Trooper | ||
| Atreides | Ranger | ||
| Atreides | Heavy Weapon Squad | ||
| Atreides | Support Drone | ||
| Atreides | Warden | ||
| Atreides | Hawk | ||
| Atreides | Kraken | ||
| Harkonnen | Trooper | ||
| Harkonnen | Gunner | ||
| Harkonnen | Cerberus | ||
| Harkonnen | Combat Probe | ||
| Harkonnen | Executioner | ||
| Harkonnen | Harpy | ||
| Harkonnen | Overlord | ||
| Smugglers | Scavenger | ||
| Smugglers | Wrecker | ||
| Smugglers | Sniper | ||
| Smugglers | Scavenging Drone | ||
| Smugglers | Free Company | ||
| Smugglers | Banshee | ||
| Smugglers | Wraith | ||
| Fremen | Warrior | These Fremen fighters are adept at maintaining a high efficiency in the harsh, arid environments of Arrakis. Dune is their homeworld and they will always defend it. | Power: 18, Health: 600, Armor: 3, Supply: 100
Cost: 600 Solari, 90 Manpower, 3 Water, 5 Command Upkeep: 6 Solari, 5 Manpower Sand tactics: Enemies suffer disorientation when fighting this type of unit: -10% Power, +10% damage received |
| Fremen | Skirmisher | ||
| Fremen | Infiltrator | ||
| Fremen | Mobile Turret | ||
| Fremen | Fedaykin | ||
| Fremen | Spire | ||
| Fremen | Altar | ||
| Corrino | Conscript Swordsman | ||
| Corrino | Conscript Rifleman | ||
| Corrino | Incinerator | ||
| Corrino | Artillery Drone | ||
| Corrino | Sardaukar | ||
| Corrino | Hammer | ||
| Corrino | Cronos | ||
| Ecaz | Squire | ||
| Ecaz | Musketeer | ||
| Ecaz | Fencer | ||
| Ecaz | War Banner | ||
| Ecaz | Knight | ||
| Ecaz | Siren | ||
| Ecaz | Monument | ||
| Vernius | Fighting Mek | ||
| Vernius | Suboid Soldier | ||
| Vernius | Railgun Drone | ||
| Vernius | Resonance Drone | ||
| Vernius | Fight-Engineer | ||
| Vernius | Spirit | ||
| Vernius | Folder Relay |
Gallery[]
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ Steam: Dune: Spice Wars
- ↑ Game Informer: Dune: Spice Wars Continues A Long-Running Strategy Tradition
- ↑ Whiki: What Do We Know About Dune: Spice Wars?
External links[]
Dune video games
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Dune • Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty • Dune 2000 • Emperor: Battle for Dune • Frank Herbert's Dune • Dune: Spice Wars • Dune: Awakening |