Dune: Spice Wars

Dune Spice Wars is a thoroughly enjoyable and very unique RTS, and I can easily recommend it to any RTS fan.
I grew up on RTSs like Warcraft 2 and 3 as well as playing a ton of StarCraft 2 and to a lesser extent StarCraft somewhat competitively and this game is very far from those in ways that I do not like, but it still has unique features that I enjoy. Having groups of units rather than single units has always felt odd, those same units feel quite unresponsive, part of this is because the game is very slow to the point where it kind of feels closer to a 4X strategy game, and map navigation is kind of a pain and can be unclear. However, somehow it all works out in the end and arguably in the game’s favor, despite it feeling somewhat slow and clunky the whole game feels very methodical and relaxed compared to a lot of other RTS games and that runs to the core of Spice Wars. Resources can be difficult to acquire, progress in objectives is slow, victories have to be prepared well in advance while also being flexible to the constantly shifting game, and you have to plan around each faction’s unique playstyle and units to get to the results you want. I think that a lot of people may find Spice Wars to be slow, difficult to understand, and overall frustrating, but if you are willing to be patient with the game, put a handful of games underneath your belt, and give the game the time it takes to truly learn it I think that as long as RTSs are your style of gameplay you are likely to find enjoyment at the end of it all. It is extremely satisfying how well-fought victories feel and most games at your proper skill level will be exactly that. I played a 2 v 2 with my friend that probably took about 4 hours to play and it was a close battle the entire time to the point where one of our opponents was mere minutes (if not seconds) away from winning the game for us to pull the rug on them and smack them to the floor, and honestly, it is probably one of the best experiences I have ever had in any RTS. Something about how methodical the whole game is where the tension of victory is not hinging on singular fights but hours of scheming and strategizing feels so rewarding. Other things I like are that the AIs feel solid, sometimes they get confused, but most of the time they are smart enough to be just as worthy of opponents as actual people, that being said multiplayer feels pretty good in this game. I wish you could have bigger matches than just 4 people and maybe if they add a few more factions, they could allow 6-8 player games, but I am hesitant to believe that will happen, a lot of the way that objectives are balanced is designed for the 2-4 player games. As someone who prefers playing with my friends and not against them though I want to hope that it will happen. Maybe that all seems like disorganized ranting but to put it simply, even though this is the slowest RTS I have played, the long-term play style, methodical speed of all units and actions, and the variety of factions and playstyles you have at your disposal, and a game that rewards good planning Dune Spice Wars is a joy to play even though it can feel clunky at times.
Story-wise, the game does not have a campaign that directly follows the story of the Dune books, the closest thing it has is its conquest mode; however, it is less story-driven and more of just living in the world of Dune. That means if you like Dune, like I do, you will enjoy the world-building that is here, and if you are not as much of a fan of the series it probably will not attract you to it.
The sound design for the game is well thought out. Character voices are great, combat noises feel very appropriate (even if they feel a bit understated), and auditory feedback is well done. Alongside that, the music is more like wallpaper than music, but I enjoy it, it has this wonderful feel to it all that just feels appropriate for Dune to me. It is nothing like the Hanz Zimmerman movie track and I am okay with that, it has this gentle charm that I appreciate compared to what the films offer. Overall, I like the sound design a lot.
Graphically I find the game appealing. It is stylized quite a bit and it looks good, feels appropriate to Dune, and offers a lot in the way of game readability, though like a lot of RTSs when you reach unit critical mass it can become very messy at times. I would say that animations may be a bit stiff and the menus feel a bit awkward; I wish that, for example, the research page gave better visual clarity on what the upgrades each did rather than being very similar-looking buttons, but does not greatly detract from the game.
All-in-all, Dune Spice Wars fills my need for a Dune-based RTS in a way that is wholly unique from other RTSs and I think that many may find it compelling. Good luck friends, may the spice that blesses Arrakis flow through you so that you may shape it as you see fit.

I first picked up Spice Wars while it was in Early Access. It felt very much like a Dune-themed Northgard; fun, but ultimately it didn't hold my attention much. The game felt very one dimensional, focusing in on the RTS elements and ignoring a lot of the flavor, politicking, and grander strategy that comes with the Dune world.
So I left it on the shelf for a while. And when I returned, the devs had made some absolutely massive updates. New factions - Ecaz, Corrino, Vernius - and an entirely new game mode for larger campaigns. I was intrigued. I love the idea of larger games where your individual matches contribute to a larger goal, but in some games (Looking at you, 40k Battlesector) it didn't feel too fleshed out. But here? Differing campaign mechanics for different factions, quests and bonuses not available in normal matches that change how I play, and genuine choices that made me feel like I was embroiled in the Landsraad's politics? Sign me the hell up.
My first campaign was with the smugglers, and I went from playing a more passive water-and-trade economic playstyle at the start to leveraging bonuses on pillaging and fast farflung expansion based on what was offered to me as rewards. It completely changed how I viewed the game, and different missions necessitated different prioritization; having to press hard against enemy villages and intercept spice production, or to focus on Sietches and devote my agents to alliances rather than intel gathering. Not to mention the rewards; building friendship with the Fremen giving me a powerful starting force, or holding off on bonuses in the match to try to implement Faufreluche bribes to accrue better long term gains even if it means potentially struggling in the interim. Every individual match was a constantly engaging and shifting battlefield, and I was drawn in every second. I was using advisors I rarely touch, I was using tech paths I never went down, and I was using techniques I hadn't ever considered before. It opened up the game IMMENSELY to me, and I think is the ultimate way to play the game.
With all the work that's been added, I definitely think if you're a fan of RTS games or the Dune universe, it's worth picking up. While it's considered "Feature Complete" by the devs, it's a pretty great package. I know a lot of people have issues with certain mechanics - like Authority limiting expansion, or the unit variety per faction - but these limitations have purpose. Authority means you have to pick and choose where you expand, where you conquer; is a special region worth the extra authority cost? Is this village better for it's tactical position, or is this one better for the perks it provides? Do I abandon this village here for a better one later? This game is it's own unique blend of decision making, and the pace of it allows you to make those decisions without feeling overrun like other RTS games. Unit variety means your pick of faction matters; Smugglers play differently than Harkonnen who play differently than Fremen, and the limited unit capacity reinforces the strengths of the faction instead of giving them all options for everything. You have to leverage your own unique benefits to win - a theme you'll find in all the Dune games, from this to the board games to the survival game - and the desert planet of Arrakis will shift in response to your choices as you will have to shift in response to it. It's fluid, and fun.

Obviously, I very much enjoy Dune but PLEASE for the love of all that is arrakis, please update this game more regularly, I understand at the time of writing this that Shiro is developing another game but it's been 6 months and not even a word. At least a road map or something would be good. A more in depth tutorial that teaches players the nuances of the game would be good. The only other major concern I have for this game is the annoying bugs and things that happen during gameplay. For example, fix the bug that makes my units hold position when I'm TYPING in the chat box and not actually microing during a fight! Also, please make lobbies more stable. The bug that kicks players out of lobbies is really annoying because you have to guess when it happens and sometimes you find out too late and everyone else is already in another full lobby and they've already started a match that you were supposed to be a part of. A matchmaking system (it doesn't have to be rated) would help fix the issue of wait times for games because the community is smaller than other games but functional. PLEASE punish leavers! Fix the bug that notifies me about combat (it stays there, can't delete it) even after the combat has ended. Please give us a replay feature! Please give a better tutorial, explain the ways to win. Those are just my complaints. There are so many positives!
1. Engaging gameplay
2. So many ways to win/play
3. The game rewards creativity beyond just armies fighting
4. There is usually always something you can do for counterplay
5. All factions are unique and interesting with their own identity, can't wait for more factions
6. Many different map types so you never get bored, although competitive is dune medium
7. There are many things I can't think of atm that are awesome about dune
Go pick up Dune right now if you like RTSes and aren't necessarily the AOE type, this game has gameplay elements from 4x and RTS so there's something for everyone. The game is challenging at first but once you get over the difficulty hump it's amazing! This is an impassioned review because this game was recommended to me by my buddy and I now play it more than he does; I fell in love with dune. Go buy dune, Arrakis needs you!

Arrakis: The Planet That Hates You
One of the first things you’ll notice is that the world itself feels alive. The whole planet is this huge desert filled with dangerous weather, rough terrain, and giant sandworms that want to eat everything. The map is split into regions with little villages, spice fields, and resources you can take over. But the environment isn’t just for show—it affects almost everything you do.
For example, if your troops walk too long across open sand, they start running out of supplies and basically melt away if you don’t get them back in time. Some areas have massive sandstorms that can shred your units or block your vision. And of course, the sandworms can show up at any moment, and when they do, you better move your units ASAP or they’ll get swallowed whole. The rumble warning when a sandworm is coming always makes your heart jump a little.
This kind of stuff makes the world feel risky and exciting. It’s not just about beating other factions—it's about surviving the planet itself.
Politics, Spies, and Making Money
One of the coolest things about Dune: Spice Wars is that you’re not just fighting on the battlefield. You’re fighting through politics, economics, and even undercover spy missions.
There’s this big political council called the Landsraad, where factions vote on new rules every so often. These votes can completely change the game. One round you might get military bonuses, and the next round your armies might get hit with some annoying penalty. You can also try to sway the votes with influence or even bargain with other factions. It’s a fun extra layer that makes you feel like you’re part of a bigger universe.
Espionage is another really fun system. You can train agents and send them to perform sabotage, reveal enemy plans, or steal resources. Spying feels super satisfying because it allows you to mess with your enemies without doing a direct attack. You can soften them up before making your move or simply ruin their day while pretending you had nothing to do with it.
Then there’s the economy, which is a huge deal because of spice. Spice is basically gold on Arrakis. You mine it, sell it, use it for trading, and most importantly, you have to pay your spice taxes. These taxes get higher over time, so you constantly have to manage how much spice you're harvesting and how much you’re converting into money. It sounds complicated, but the game does a good job explaining it so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. It’s actually pretty satisfying to balance it all out.
Combat That Makes Sense
Combat in the game isn’t confusing or too fast-paced, which I appreciate a lot. Battles are quick, clean, and based more on strategy than on who has the most units. You need to think about your supply levels, the terrain, and timing. Sending your units across the desert without supplies is basically asking them to die slowly, so you really have to plan ahead.
Different unit types have their own strengths, and combining them makes a huge difference. You’ve got melee units, ranged units, support units, and even air-based units. There’s enough variety to keep things interesting without making you memorize a hundred different stats.
One thing I really like is that battles don’t drag on forever. You can take over a village or win a fight without the game turning into a long, stressful war. It keeps the flow of the game fun and smooth.
The Game Looks and Sounds Great
Even though it’s a strategy game, Dune: Spice Wars looks really nice. The art style is clean and colorful in a dusty, sandy kind of way. Each region looks different, and it's easy to tell what’s going on based on the visuals alone. The UI (the menus and buttons) is super clean too, which makes the game less confusing.
The music is also really good. It fits the vibe of the Dune universe—mysterious, tense, and epic, but not so dramatic that it distracts you. It blends into the background in a cool way that keeps you immersed without being annoying.
Capturing the Spirit of Dune
Even if you’re not a fan of the Dune series, it’s clear that the game was made with a lot of care. It really captures the feeling of being on Arrakis—harsh, dangerous, and unpredictable. The constant struggle for spice, the political tension, the big desert battles, and the fear of sandworms all feel authentic and fun.
It’s not just a strategy game with a coat of Dune paint on it. It actually feels like a Dune experience. Everything matches the vibe of the world: the factions, the politics, the desert survival, and the overall tone.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Dune: Spice Wars is a super fun and addictive strategy game that’s easy to get into and has plenty of depth to keep you hooked. The different factions feel unique, the world is full of danger and personality, and the mix of politics, combat, and economy creates endless strategies to try out.
Whether you’re a hardcore strategy fan or someone who just wants to try something new, this game is absolutely worth checking out. It’s exciting without being overwhelming, challenging without being frustrating, and full of those “oh wow” moments—like escaping a sandworm just in time or winning a political vote that changes the whole match.

The game tutorial will not teach you pretty much anything expect how to move camera... but once you watch few tutorials on youtube and lose few time it is really awesome game and not even that hard

Are you playing classic Dune RTS, or Stellaris/ Civ? It's in the sweet spot which Northgard began to carve out, but does it much, much better. Addictive, satisfying, polished, respectful of what came before it. Fans of RTS and fans of Dune (games, book or film) will not be disappointed

The question you should ask yourself with these kinds of games is: Would the game be any good if you removed everything unique to Dune? Is Dune the only reason why this game is appealing?
In my opinion, this is a 5/10 game if you ignore all the DUNE IP. The gameplay feels sluggish and boring. The game is also unbalanced in quite a few areas, and would have benefited from more playtesting and polish.
That said, as a fan of Dune, this game gets a 7/10 after taking the setting into consideration. If you play this game over extended periods, it drops down to 5/10 again, because that's what the game actually is.