8.3.1 Dune I
Description
This article is from the Dune FAQ, by Alan Schwartz with numerous contributions by others.
8.3.1 Dune I
Dune I (the "I" isn't part of the title, but is added for clarity) is a
graphic adventure game from 1992 based on both the book and the movie,
in which players take the role of Paul. Versions of the game were
released for PC DOS, Sega CD, Amiga and Acorn machines, at least. For
the CD, the floppy disc and CD version differ substantially: the CD
version includes footage from the film, and has spoken synchronised
voices for all the dialogue. Also, the landscapes and flying sequences
are more advanced, using 3-D texture mapping. There may finally be
differences in the soundtrack. Notice that the floppy disk version is
sometimes sold on CD. The Sega CD version is identical to the PC CD
version. Cryo released a soundtrack for the game under the label Exxos.
See subject 7.1.2. Here's a review of the game:
=46rom: bdugan@gnu.ai.mit.edu (Bill Dugan)
"Dune" is an adventure/strategy game for DOS computers, written by Cryo
and published and distributed by Virgin Games. There is a version that
ships on floppy disk and a version that ships on CD-ROM (recommended).
The game roughly follows the plot of the first "Dune" novel, though
there are a number of plot twists which were introduced, presumably to
let fans enjoy some unpredictability rather than plodding through a plot
they already know by heart. For instance, rather than suffering the
Betrayal, Duke Leto Atreides becomes angry and leads an expedition to
attack the Harkonnens and is captured.
As Paul Atreides, you must visit the Fremen sietches, gradually winning
their trust and building a power base. You must employ the Fremen to
mine spice, allowing you to send regular shipments to the Emperor to
satisfy his demands. Excess spice can be used to buy equipment from
smugglers. Eventually you can train more and more Fremen as troops
rather than as spice gatherers, and attack the Harkonnens, who land on
Dune to challenge your authority.
Dune contains elements of adventure games as well as strategy games. The
adventure game aspect: As Paul Atreides, you must visit many locations
and talk to characters, asking them to do things or giving them objects
to use. The strategy aspect focuses on the world map, where you assign
the Fremen to perform different tasks in different places -- at first by
physically visiting the Fremen and giving orders, and later by making
use of telepathy, a previously unknown gift of the Kwisatz Haderach. :)
Dune is an engrossing game. The game play is continually interesting,
with tidbits and new technology popping up now and then to renew
interest. The graphics are very good, with flights over a 3-D rendered
sandscape as you fly about in your ornithopter. The soundtrack is great
-- mesmerizing, played with weird instruments with a vaguely Arabic
feel. In the CD-ROM version, the pop-up heads of the characters (Duke
Leto, Jessica, Gurney, Hawat, Chani, Stilgar...) are lip-synched to the
audio of the characters talking to you. Good audio, and there are
touches of humor -- if you stand in the desert with Gurney and talk to
him, and he has nothing important to say, he just says, "It's cooler
inside, isn't it?" A sound card is recommended and almost required.
Continue to:
My Books
