Dune: Spice Wars. Best games on Xbox Game Pass in 2024 (Febuary)
Table of Contents
- Year of release: 2023
- Developer: Shiro Games
- Genre: RTS with 4X elements
- Availability on platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, cloud
- In a nutshell: an atmospheric mix of RTS and 4X with a high entry threshold - a treat for ambitious players
It's a strategy mixed with elements typical of the 4X genre, based on the license of the novel (there are also films) Dune. As a player, we take on the role of the leader of one of the available factions. Goals? Fight for power over the desert area. The wastelands hide a treasure in the form of melange - a spice that allows interstellar travels. Its "side effects" include prolonging life and strengthening of the consciousness. In the world created by Herbert, there isn't a single, more valuable resource.
Right after starting, you can conclude that the game looks great. Additionally, the atmosphere enhanced by the excellent sound design will certainly satisfy fans of the universe, who will pick up a lot of interesting things. Dune: Spice Wars is not just for them, however. This is a piece of great strategy in and of itself. The initial choice of faction matters here. They differ in their approach to gameplay and available perks. You can focus on military conquest, diplomacy, or economic domination. You just have to remember that the mechanics here are more akin to 4X productions than a typical RTS. In practice, this means a lot of micromanagement - it will be overwhelming at first - as well as the presence of an extensive research tree and the requirement for long-term planning.
Among the most interesting features, it's worth mentioning the well-implemented espionage system and giant sand worms that pose a significant threat. The worms can destroy harvesters, which are huge machines extracting spice.
