Why Death Stranding Fans Should Check Out Dune: Awakening

As a survival MMO, Dune: Awakening is already a unique experience. It’s not the first of its kind, but being set in Frank Herbert’s iconic Dune sci-fi universe and having every intention of staying true to the source material, Dune: Awakening does effectively distinguish itself from the crowd. Rather than relying on traditional survival progression, for example, it applies survival mechanics that fit within the framework of the Dune universe, rather than making Dune meet traditional survival standards. However, while it is a one-of-a-kind experience, Dune: Awakening isn’t without similarities to other franchises — one, in particular.

In more ways than one, Dune: Awakening echoes the tone, themes, and even gameplay elements of Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding. While it isn’t technically a survival game, nor is it an MMO by any means, Death Stranding still feels like it boasts some of the core elements that make up Dune: Awakening‘s foundation. Whether it be each game’s emphasis on movement and a world devoid of comfort or how often they ask players to prepare adequately for the road ahead, Dune: Awakening and Death Stranding bear enough similarities that it’s worth suggesting fans of the latter give the former a try.

Dune: Awakening Review

Dune: Awakening thrives in atmosphere, worldbuilding, and survival depth, even if its combat and grind somewhat drag behind its setting and systems.

Dune: Awakening’s Gameplay May Feel Familiar to Death Stranding Fans

Both Games Center the Journey, Not the Destination

One of the most fundamental elements of Dune: Awakening‘s gameplay sees players regularly on the move. It could be that they are encouraged to move their base from one location to another or that they are tasked with traveling across the desert to their next objective, all while Dune: Awakening‘s sandworms burrow beneath their feet. In fact, standing still in Dune: Awakening (unless players are in a watersealed environment) is a recipe for disaster, as hydration levels regularly decrease and eventually lead to death if not attended to.

In more ways than one, Dune: Awakening echoes the tone, themes, and even gameplay elements of Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding.

In the same way, Death Stranding‘s gameplay is all about movement. Granted, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, as Kojima Productions’ pride and joy has often mockingly been referred to as a “walking simulator.” Even so, that is a testament to the type of gameplay that it prioritizes, and that’s what makes Dune: Awakening even more perfect for fans of Death Stranding. Just as Dune: Awakening centers players on the journey rather than the destination by keeping them always on the move, Death Stranding regularly pushes players from one place to the next.

Traversal, Tension, and Preparation Define the Player’s Rhythm

However, neither game wants players to simply react to their worlds. Whether it’s avoiding BTs in Death Stranding or preparing for an extended journey through the open desert in Dune: Awakening, survival hinges on how well players anticipate the threats ahead before they happen. Dune: Awakening uses heat, hydration, storms, weight, and shifting sands to apply constant pressure on players. Like Death Stranding‘s cargo management and weather systems, it’s less about speed and more about control, intention, and adapting to a world that punishes players for attempting shortcuts.

A major part of preparing for a journey through Dune: Awakening‘s Arrakis involves having plenty of hydration options on hand, as water discipline is crucial.

This will all be even more true once Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches, as it seems to aim a bit higher, demanding more from players’ attentiveness than the first game did. With new environmental effects and what appears to be a much harsher world to traverse in general, Death Stranding 2 is sounding more and more like Dune: Awakening. In light of that, fans of Kojima Productions’ debut IP shouldn’t shy away from giving Funcom’s hit survival MMO a go, especially if they plan to play DS2 very soon.