After an exclusive period on PC Game Pass, Dune: Spice Wars has finally made its way to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The Xbox version, like its PC counterpart, is available on Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud.
Dune: Spice Wars, a real-time strategy game, can be seen as the spiritual successor to the iconic “Dune 2” from 1992. Alongside Blizzard’s “Warcraft,” this Westwood game played a pivotal role in establishing the RTS genre as a popular mainstay for over three decades. Despite its cult classic status, Dune 2 achieved commercial success with 250,000 units sold by 1996. Westwood later capitalized on the game concept and engine with the release of “Command and Conquer” in 1995, leading to a series of sequels, DLC, and spin-offs, with Red Alert standing out as the most notable.
The new offering by Shiro Games, Dune: Spice Wars, aligns more closely with the rebooted film franchise than attempting to evoke nostalgia. It distinguishes itself as a more story-driven experience with less procedural missions compared to its spiritual predecessor.
Similar to the 1992 game, players can choose one of the Dune factions and engage in battles for control over the dunes of Arrakis—the harsh desert planet rich in the critical raw material known as “spice.” This substance is essential for interstellar travel, serving as the primary power source in the galaxy. The age-old adage holds true: whoever controls the spice, controls the galaxy.
Dune: Spice Wars introduces expanded gameplay elements, allowing players to utilize scouts and infiltrate villages and other points of interest with secret agents. These agents can influence villages or sabotage critical infrastructure. The introduction of political resolutions adds a layer of complexity, enabling players to shape politics to align with their war-driven tactics. While a direct, overwhelming attack may swiftly resolve matters, it carries significant political consequences and can impact public support on the player’s home planet.
