Dune: Awakening is back in the limelight with yet another update and a new chapter – albeit this time, it stands as the survival MMO's biggest to date, reworking endgame content while adding fresh progression systems and more.
It's no secret that the Dune: Awakening player count has been dropping, but it looks like this new update is set to breathe some fresh life into Funcom's 2025 release with the arrival of Chapter 3. For anyone out of the loop, there's a lot to look forward to with today's patch, from its "bigger, better endgame" to changes I think we'll all appreciate – like the removal of base taxation and a bundle of goodies for returning players.
The most significant feature to come out of Chapter 3 is undeniably the improved endgame. With an entirely "rebuilt" Landsraad, as Funcom describes it, boasting repeatable missions that increase Faction Rank, Great House Standing, and unlock exclusive rewards, it's sure to spark interest in those of us who took an extended break (hi, it's me) from the game. We can also follow five new distinct "specialization" paths – and boy, are they distinct.
There's crafting, gathering, exploration, combat, and sabotage – and, yes, I'm excited to see what exactly "sabotage" entails and what sort of gameplay it involves in terms of progression. That's not all, though. We can now enhance unique Tier 6 armor and weapons with powerful "Augments" that are crafted at the update's newly introduced crafting table: the Augmentation Station. It feels like the cherry on top of the Chapter 3 endgame cake, really.
My favorite part of the update, however (and likely many other players'), is the removal of base taxation on all player-built bases. Yep, no more traveling to Arrakeen or Harko Village to spend your hard-earned Solaris on something that already sucks enough to deal with in real life. Another reason I personally love this change so much is the fact that it shows Funcom is listening – quality of life is important to us, and therefore to developers, too.
The fun doesn't end there, either. There are two new weapons: The Pyrocket and the Dual Blades. And, good news for any Rapier stans – Funcom has "completely" reworked it. There's also, you know, the entirety of Chapter 3 and its story content to enjoy. It picks up right where Chapter 2 left off, with "hours of new story" and a reunion with "an old ally" – if you know, you know… or, at least, I think I know?
Finally (but not really, because there's loads more, including the paid Raiders of the Broken Lands DLC with 74 building pieces and 17 decorations), there's that handy package for any and all returning players looking to rejoin the chaos after a lengthy time away. It comes with resources scaled to your progression in the Research tree, making your comeback just a tad bit smoother – I know I'll certainly need it.
If you're interested in learning more, be sure to check out the official Dune: Awakening Steam page for the full details on Chapter 3. You can also snag the new DLC there for $9.99 or as part of the Season Pass, which is $24.99.
For even more to look forward to, why not have a quick browse through our roundup of the best and biggest new games coming this year and beyond?
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