Game Tracker
Developer Westwood Studios
Publisher Virgin Interactive
Platforms DOS, Amiga, Acorn 32-bit, SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive
Release Date (DOS) 12/1992 (US/UK) | 1993 (DE)
Release Date (Amiga) 1993 (US/EU)
Release Date (Genesis) 1994 (US/EU)
Release Date (Acorn) 1995 (UK)
Current Version 1.07 (DOS only)
Unavailable for purchase
What is Dune II?
Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (known as Dune II: Battle for Arrakis outside North America) is widely considered the first true real-time strategy. Although elements of the genre existed before it, Dune II was the first to bundle them together in a formula that was used as a foundation for real-time strategies for decades to come. It used the license of the Dune series of books by Frank Herbert which had been acquired by Virgin Interactive.
Three houses (Atreides, Ordos, and Harkonnen) arrive on the sandy planet Arrakis, also referred to as Dune. Whoever controls the resource known as the Spice Melange on Arrakis, controls the planet, and by transition, the universe. The Emperor challenges the three houses to claim Arrakis, without any boundaries or rules of engagement.
The gameplay is more basic than in almost every modern RTS, with the ability to control only one unit at a time, and with the construction menu taking up the whole screen effectively pausing the game. The only playable mode are the three singleplayer campaigns (one for each house), so no skirmishes or multiplayer are available.
Structures can only be placed in dark terrain, and without a concrete foundation, they get damaged over time. Sandworms lurk in the light sand areas, and will devour any units unfortunate enough to find themselves in their path.
Names in different languages
- US English: Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty
- UK English: Dune II: Battle for Arrakis
- SEGA Saturn release: Dune: Battle for Arrakis
Ratings
ELSPA: 3+
VRC (Genesis only): MA-13
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