Sunday, September 21, 2025

Dune for Sega CD


Image: MobyGames

Dune

I'm a big fan of Dune. Dune strategy stuff.


Genre: adventure - point n click

Publisher: Virgin

Year: 1993

System: Sega CD


Gameplay Score: 3

Gameplay Notes:

I can see how the sequel became an RTS. This game plays like a typical first-person point and click (minus the point part) but you must coordinate resource gathering by visiting units and giving orders to min spice or to produce armies. In this way it's part strategy and part puzzle solving. I enjoyed it and would play it further. My only complaint is the traversal. Traveling around the map involves exiting wherever you are, boarding an ornithopter, and flying to the new location, using a terrible map for selecting your destination. This initiates a way-too-long FMV that would make Wind Waker blush. Thankfully, you can skip most of the video for destinations you've previously visited. Beyond that it's a fully menu-driven experience, similar to Snatcher in that you can experiment with every option as much as you'd like. Much less trial and error than something like Rise of the Dragon.


Level Design Score: 4

Level Design Notes:

There's a depth of gameplay here which far exceeds most of the "find all clues" detective games or the "make all the correct choices" games.


Theme Score: 4

Theme Notes:

Props for weaving in most of the elements of the book and 1984 movie, including spice harvesting, ecology, combat, and political intrigue. The


Art Style Score: 4

Art Style Notes:

Looks very similar to the early Wing Commander games. Characters bear little resemblance to the actors in David Lynch's movie, but the locales, vehicles, and wardrobe are very reminiscent. Good animation and huge sprites during conversations. I love that it uses the full screen, unlike so many games in this genre. The world is fairly drab, but is well drawn.


Audio Score: 3

Audio Notes:

Not a big fan of the music, but the copious voice samples are well done.


Overall Score: 68

Review ID: 12029



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