Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast - Episode: "Dune: Awakening Review and Impressions" (June 20, 2025)

Hosts: Abu and Leo
Podcast: Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast
Produced by: Lore Party Media

1. Episode Overview

In this episode of Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast, hosts Abu and Leo delve into their comprehensive review and impressions of Dune: Awakening, the MMO RPG developed by Funcom. Released on June 20, 2025, the game offers both longtime Dune enthusiasts and newcomers an immersive experience set in the expansive Dune universe. The discussion covers various facets of the game, including its narrative choices, technical performance, gameplay mechanics, and deep lore integrations.

2. Initial Impressions of Dune: Awakening

Abu and Leo begin by sharing their initial experiences with the game, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.

• Alternate Timeline Narrative:

  Abu praises the developers' decision to set Dune: Awakening in an alternate timeline, where key characters like Paul Atreides do not exist.

  "[09:34] Abu: They just keep coming back. It's weird."
  "[09:34] Leo: I think this was a very smart choice from the developers because it gives them...to honor the source material."

  This approach allows Funcom greater narrative flexibility while honoring the original Dune lore. It enables the introduction of new characters and storylines without being constrained by the established canon.

• Technical Excellence:

  Both hosts commend the game's technical execution, noting its polished state upon release. Unlike many modern AAA titles plagued with bugs and unfinished features at launch, Dune: Awakening offers a seamless experience.

  "[12:26] Abu: For example, I haven't run into a single game breaking a bug...this is a finished product that's been delivered to the player here."
  "[12:53] Leo: The number of times in Cyberpunk 2077 I just dropped through the ground."

  They appreciate the lack of major technical issues, drawing comparisons to other games like Cyberpunk 2077, which had a notoriously rocky launch.

• Quality of Life Features:

  The hosts highlight the game's efficient crafting system, which minimizes tedious tasks typical in similar genres.

  "[14:20] Leo: ...the fabricator will just like, pull whatever it needs from that chest for you. You don't have to do this tedious thing..."

  Such features enhance the gameplay experience by allowing players to focus more on exploration and less on micromanagement.

3. Deep Dive into Gameplay Mechanics

Abu and Leo explore the core gameplay loops, crafting mechanics, and combat system, providing a balanced critique based on their extensive playtime.

• Crafting and Resource Management:

  The crafting system is lauded for its intuitiveness and efficiency. Abu notes the automatic resource management by fabricators, which streamlines the crafting process.

  "[14:20] Abu: ...the fabricator will just like, pull whatever it needs from that chest for you."

  Leo adds that similar efficiencies in resource management align well with the Dune setting, where survival is paramount.

  "[14:46] Abu: Laying piping down is not the fantasy."

• Combat System:

  While Leo finds the combat satisfying—especially once accustomed to mechanics like staggering enemies through shields—Abu expresses frustration with the melee aspects.

  "[37:30] Abu: ...the melee has been frustrating me...you can't get through their fucking shield."

  They discuss the balance between staying true to Dune lore, particularly the shield mechanics, and ensuring responsive gameplay. The hosts suggest that future patches could refine combat responsiveness without compromising the narrative integrity.

• User Interface (UI) Concerns:

  Abu provides a critical view of the game's UI, describing it as cluttered and unintuitive.

  "[39:41] Abu: Every window in this game is so cluttered and so disorganized...inventory management is insanely clunky."

  He proposes practical solutions, such as a dedicated tool belt inventory system, to enhance usability. Leo echoes these sentiments, pointing out the difficulty in managing numerous resources and crafting items due to the current UI design.

  "[44:03] Abu: ...scrolling through a long list looking for something, and then I don't find it."

4. Immersive Lore Integration

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to exploring how Dune: Awakening embeds deep Dune lore into its gameplay, rewarding dedicated fans with rich, lore-accurate details.

• Authentic Dune References:

  The hosts are enthusiastic about the myriad of Dune-specific elements seamlessly woven into the game.

  "[18:12] Abu: So there's just a level of nerdiness in this game and Dune fandom in this game that I so appreciate."

  From weapons like the Kinjal and Sappho Juice to locations such as Arakeen, the game faithfully represents key aspects of the Dune universe.

  "[60:12] Abu: ...Caliph is actually the name of Jamis eldest son. This is a direct addition to the book."

• Attention to Detail:

  Abu and Leo commend the game for its meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every corner of the game world is steeped in Dune lore.

  "[68:19] Abu: ...there's so much room for that writing. It's a lot of voice acting as well, which I'm always a huge fan of."

  This dedication not only enhances immersion but also serves as an engaging Easter egg hunt for lore enthusiasts.

5. Community Interaction and Multiplayer Dynamics

The discussion shifts to the social aspects of Dune: Awakening, exploring interactions with other players and the potential for community growth.

• Guild Activities:

  Abu highlights positive experiences collaborating with guild members on missions, emphasizing the cooperative aspect of the game.

  "[74:13] Abu: ...we did with Miles and Yaz the other night...that was so fun."

• Player Interactions:

  While Leo enjoys occasional interactions with other players, Abu notes that meaningful engagements are still in their infancy due to the game's recent release.

  "[75:43] Abu: ...I haven't had any interesting interactions with random players."

  They acknowledge that as the community matures, more significant and lore-congruent player interactions are expected.

6. Future Expectations and Suggestions

Looking ahead, both hosts share their aspirations for future expansions and updates, aiming to further enrich the game’s narrative and gameplay depth.

• Story-Focused DLC:

  Abu envisions story-driven expansions that introduce new regions and intricate narratives, enhancing the game's depth.

  "[83:18] Abu: ...a deeply story-focused DLC...like a one-off adventure that takes me to a new region of the map."

• Expanded Enemy Types and Factions:

  Both hosts express a desire for diverse enemy factions and unique dungeon experiences, which would add variety and challenge to the gameplay.

  "[85:58] Leo: ...there are some like fauna, some, some you know, big old animals in Dune...like deathclaws."

• Enhanced Lore Integration:

  Abu suggests incorporating recognizable Dune characters and concepts into gameplay mechanics, fostering a more immersive experience.

  "[68:14] Leo: ...all of these are little lore details...A lot of fun for those with lore eyes."

7. Overall Assessment

Leo concludes with an enthusiastic endorsement of Dune: Awakening, assigning it a solid rating despite minor frustrations.

"[32:44] Leo: I’d give it like a 9 out of 10. Maybe 8.8.5 out of 10."

Abu shares a slightly more reserved but positive viewpoint, praising the game's technical execution and lore fidelity while acknowledging its current limitations in narrative depth and UI design.

"[43:31] I really hope it [UI] happens as well as a [fix]."

Together, Abu and Leo agree that Dune: Awakening is a promising entry into the Dune franchise, offering a robust foundation for future expansions and community growth.

8. Conclusion and Future Coverage

The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to engage with their community through Discord and Patreon, fostering a collaborative environment for future game explorations. They tease continued coverage of Dune: Awakening in upcoming episodes, promising deeper dives into lore and player experiences as the game evolves.

Notable Quotes:

• "If you want to play Dune Awakening with us and with other listeners of Gom Jabbar, you can." — Abu [05:46]

• "This game is full to the brim of little lore, details like that. So if you're diving into the game and you're playing and you're finding yourself skipping a lot, don't." — Leo [68:18]

• "I'm confident that they're listening to feedback as well. There have been some changes from the beta that are now implemented in the full release of the game." — Abu [16:38]

• "Dune is so much about choosing your words carefully, the ability to just say anything feels a little bit lackluster on the gameplay front." — Leo [46:58]

Overall Rating:
Leo: 8.5/10
Abu: 7/10

Both hosts express a high level of enjoyment and optimism for the game's future, contingent upon continued developer support and community engagement.

Thank you for tuning into Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast. Stay connected through our Discord and Patreon to join future adventures in the Dune universe!