At the time of writing, Counter-Strike 2 has 7.5 million reviews on Steam, 88% of which are positive. That's pretty good going for a game that released less than 24 hours ago.
Dune: Spice Wars Review
15.09.2023 - 00:35 / ign.com
When I think about what's cool in the Dune universe – what really sets it apart from other epic sci-fi – I think of a lot of the same things Shiro Games has chosen to focus on in Dune: Spice Wars. There's the complex galactic politics, the smooth blend of the futuristic and the ancient, and the deadly, sweeping splendor of Arrakis. When I first reviewed it in Early Access, Spice Wars already felt like a reasonably complete RTS. And after a year and a half of additions and refinements, it gleams even brighter.
The core of each hour-ish-long fight for dominion over Dune is a well-paced real-time battle system that pulls off the difficult tightrope walk of being complex but not complicated. You can jump right into it and have a good time, but it really rewards understanding unit synergies, like the teamwork bonuses of the Atreides legions or the lone wolf, hit-and-run tactics of the Fremen. It's just the right amount of micro for me, too, where a little bit of repositioning will go a long way, but you don't need esports reflexes to get the most out of your army.
One shakeup to this formula since the Early Access launch is the addition of airships, which are expensive, late-game units that can really turn the tide if used correctly. Or… they can be a giant waste of money if the AI keeps dancing them in and out of my missile turret range. Tactically, I really have not been impressed with the AI so far. This can even apply to your own units if you get a big enough group of them, as they tend to wiggle around nonsensically if clustered too closely together. As an RTS veteran, I had to turn the difficulty up to Hard to feel decently challenged in combat. But don’t let its clumsiness on the battlefield make you complacent: the AI can be cunning and effective on the strategic level even on Normal, and will use the various diplomatic and espionage options to pull victory out from under you.
Feeding these flashy clashes is a clever, hands-on resource system in which you're always having to decide when to sell and when to stockpile the ever-important spice based on changing exchange rates and a periodic Imperial tax that can levy punishing penalties on you if you don't pay. Whether it's manpower, political influence, or life-giving water, I never fell into a rut in this glimmering desert where I felt like I had enough of everything. Spice Wars always keeps you thirsty, which can lead to conflict even with a long-time ally if they just happen to beat you to that juicy spice field that's critical to your plans.
The changes to how water works since Early Access launch have added a new strategic dimension, too. The supply system depletes the provisions of any ground unit crossing neutral or unfriendly territory, and
The website gametalkz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Authors
Popular Topics
gameranx.com
18.09.2023 / 18:07
16 Best Military War PC Games That Tosses You Into The Battlefield
The military genre in video games is massive, and whether it’s on console or PC, they tend to play pretty well. Want to know some of the best on PC? We’ll show you the best available right now.
polygon.com
15.09.2023 / 16:15
Dune: Spice Wars is a diamond in the rough
Frank Herbert’s Dune holds a special place in the gaming community, providing the basis for one of the first true real-time strategy titles, Dune 2: The Building of a Dynasty. Shiro Games is treading on hallowed ground with its latest title, Dune: Spice Wars, and the studio seems to know it. The game’s recent 1.0 release still has some pain points after a year in early access, but it's clear that Spice Wars was developed with a clear passion and understanding of the assignment.
mmorpg.com
14.09.2023 / 19:39
Dune: Spice Wars Leaves Early Access and Launches 1.0 With Sixth Playable Faction, and Reworks
Strategize in the sands of Arrakis and rise to power in Dune: Spice Wars . The new real-time 4X strategy title has left Early Access and fully launched, adding a brand new playable faction, and additional content.
gamesradar.com
11.09.2023 / 17:05
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has a heartfelt detail that players will never get to see on-screen
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has several sweet moments between Kata and Bode that we'll never see.
pcgamer.com
10.09.2023 / 18:35
Dune: Spice Wars launches this week
The hybrid 4X and RTS set in Frank Herbert's universe of Dune will launch out of Early Access this week, on September 14th, as Shiro Games releases Dune: Spice Wars. First released last year, Spice Wars is a surprising hybrid of the two genres that you'd expect from modern RTS innovators Shiro Games, who previously made Northgard.
wccftech.com
07.09.2023 / 10:31
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Titanfall, Apex Legends Dev Respawn Is Working on Some “Very Exciting” Projects
Respawn Entertainment, developer of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Titanfall and Apex Legends, among others, is working on some exciting new projects, according to Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson.
venturebeat.com
06.09.2023 / 23:23
Funcom’s Dune Spice Wars exits early access on September 14
We're thrilled to announce the return of GamesBeat Next, hosted in San Francisco this October, where we will explore the theme of «Playing the Edge.» Apply to speak here and learn more about sponsorship opportunities here. At the event, we will also announce 25 top game startups as the 2024 Game Changers. Apply or nominate today!
thesixthaxis.com
06.09.2023 / 22:19
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor improved performance mode ditches ray-tracing for 60 FPS lock
Star Wars Jedi: Surivor patch 7 is out now across PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a real focus placed on optimisation for the two console platforms. In particular, there’s an improved performance mode on console that ditches ray-tracing in order to hit 60 FPS.
techradar.com
06.09.2023 / 15:07
Dune: Spice Wars leaves early access next week
Shiro Games has announced that Dune: Spice Wars will be leaving early access on September 14.
gamingbolt.com
06.09.2023 / 14:19
Dune: Spice Wars Exits Early Access on September 14th
Funcom’s Dune: Spice Wars will exit early access for PC on September 14th. Developed by Shiro Games of Wartales and Northgard fame, the 4X real-time strategy is based on Frank Herbert’s Dune. It will launch with its sixth major update, adding House Ecaz for six playable factions.
rockpapershotgun.com
06.09.2023 / 13:23
Dune: Spice Wars gets a 1.0 release date alongside a devious new faction
I never got round to playing Shiro's 4X-plus-RTS adaptation of Dune, but chuckling spice baron Nic Reuben deemed it "intricate", "polished" and "well-considered" in his early access review last year, and I trust his nose for these things. The game now has a 1.0 release date - 14th September 2023 - which will also bring a sixth major content update featuring the politically adept House Ecaz faction - who, if the press release speaks true, "wield power like a paint brush". You love to see it!