The makers of Dune Awakening have at last delivered a solo mode, and the update trims back several of the game’s toughest systems. Update 1.5, which adds single-player play to the sci-fi survival title, also packs in a set of quality-of-life changes that ease the hardships of life on Arrakis.
Critics singled out the game’s survivalist take on the deserts of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic when it launched last year, but its MMO-adjacent elements have proven consistently controversial. Players enjoy building bases and facing the many dangers of Arrakis’, yet they are less willing to share that experience with others, particularly when the game shifts toward a PvP-focused Deep Desert.
Funcom has finally delivered a solo mode, making it possible for players to keep Arrakis all to themselves. The update, Update 1.5, arrives with approval from those who rule across the galaxy.
Solo Mode Arrives
Funcom has altered several core mechanics in the solo mode, which is a modified version of Awakening built for single-player play, most notably adjusting multiplayer-reliant systems so they can operate on their own.
The Exchange, the player-driven market, now functions as a sci-fi supermarket. Players can pick up a wide array of items as they please, without relying on other players to trade. The Landsraad political system, which normally runs on player participation, now simulates rival guilds automatically. It “progresses even without player participation,” according to Funcom.
Funcom has toned down Coriolis storms to keep players moving through the Deep Desert, while still warning that they stay “very dangerous.” The update also brings four new difficulty settings: three presets for solo play and self-hosted servers, plus a fourth mode where players can adjust parameters such as sandstorms, security zones, item durability, base decay, and XP multipliers.
Quality-of-Life Changes
Funcom has made the multiplayer less confrontational overall. It can now be played entirely without players fighting each other. The Deep Desert’s PvP is no longer required, and the starting area of Hagga Basin is now exclusively without players fighting each other. You can still make it a “full PvP zone” if you run your own server.
Several changes have made the game less punishing overall, going beyond just how players treat one another.
- Bases can be reconstructed wholesale thanks to a new snapshot system that acts as a blueprint for your entire base.
- Destroyed vehicles can be recovered for up to 30 days after being lost.
- Base upkeep taxation has been removed entirely.
- The durability penalty upon death has been lowered from 5% to 2%.
The studio’s own summary of the changes is the line “You don’t have to lose things anymore.”
The Difficulty Presets
The adjustable difficulty setting stands out as the most compelling feature, allowing players to adjust parameters including sandstorms, security zones, item wear and tear, base deterioration, and experience point bonuses.
MMO Systems Rebuilt
The Exchange has changed into a supermarket, operated by the game rather than built by players themselves. The Landsraad system runs on its own, simulating rival guilds without requiring any human input at all. These alterations mean a lone player can carry on advancing through the game without having to wait for other people to make contributions.
The punishing Coriolis storms have weakened somewhat, and players can now keep their Deep Desert progress going without needing to start over from the beginning.
PvP No Longer Mandatory
PvP is no longer required for everyone, though multiplayer still exists. Those who prefer PvE content can play it alone, and the starting area of Hagga Basin is now exclusively PvE. The Deep Desert’s PvP is optional, but servers run by players can still make it a full PvP zone.
Players who prefer a private experience can host their own server with adjustable difficulty settings, letting them shape the game to suit their tastes. The fourth mode offers control over sandstorms, security zones, item wear, base decline, and experience point bonuses.
The Price Deal
The PC Gamer team is watching the most important stories and the best deals, and they’ve flagged that Dune Awakening’s solo mode addition has pushed the price down by half until October 1. That makes it a good time to get into the game.
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Solo Mode Available | Yes |
| Half-Price Discount | Until October 1 |
| PvP Mandatory | No (Deep Desert) |
| Base Recovery Window | Up to 30 days |
| Durability Penalty Upon Death | 2% |
| Base Upkeep Taxation | Removed |
The Broader Trend
Another game is heading down the same path. Bungie is putting a permanent PvE mode into Marathon, following the failure of its extraction shooter to draw in enough players to keep it going. And even within the world of solo play, the developer behind The Blood of Dawnwalker has said it might leave out a time-limit system in the sequel, which the studio is already building, after it turned out to be the most disputed part of an otherwise well-received RPG.
The 2010s were dominated by fiercely challenging soulslikes and hyper-competitive battle-royale games. The current shift toward smoother, more siloed gaming experiences is interesting to watch.
The single-player mode fills a genuine need, while the convenience upgrades improve enjoyment for all players. This push for smoother operation is part of a wider industry pattern, one that appears unlikely to reverse course anytime soon.
Source material: “Dune Awakening now has a solo mode for players put off by its MMO leanings, while Funcom has adjusted progression so 'you don't have to lose things anymore',” PC Gamer.
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