Platform: Windows 98, Windows 95
Condition: New
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Product Information
Experience the Dune universe in 3-D in this strategy game Command three unique sides and five powerful subgroups Choose large-scale strategic advances or ground-level tactics Fight over four gameworlds Wage war online head-to-head and cooperatively Also available: Official Strategy Guide
Product Description
Emperor returns gamers to Dune, land of sand, home of the spice--and the first real-time strategy. This all-new game presents the Dune universe in full 3-D. As in the classic Dune 2, players can command three unique political houses: noble Attreides, evil Harkonnen and insidious Ordos. Five powerful subgroups add to the volatile political climate. There are four gameworlds to battle on, and players can choose large-scale strategic advances or ground-level tactics. Gamers can wage war online both head-to-head and cooperatively.
Review
OK, it's a prequel but Emperor: Battle for Dune is based on a science fiction classic that advocates planetary war and intergalactic dr.g dealing. How can it lose? Especially when you consider that Dune II and the Command and Conquer series are testament to Westwood's capability in the RTS arena. Thankfully, after a long wait, they've turned out another oasis of a strategy game with Emperor.
Three great houses have been granted the right to war with each other in a bid to dominate production of the Universe's favourite tipple, the spice melange. Playing as the Atreides, Harkonnen or Ordos, you must strive to gain control over the Dune planet, its spice resources and, ultimately, the galaxy. Harvest spice and earn money to build facilities and resources, whilst usurping your rivals' own hold over spice production. Needless to say, your two rivals are out to do the same, so fold in some alliances to broker and break and you are presented with over 150 missions (50 for each house) of well-plotted and compelling saga. The move from 2-D to 3-D works brilliantly, with impressive camera zooming, panning and rotation, enhancing the building and battling scenes no end. Sound is generally good, save for odd units' cheesy mottos, which we'll dismiss as a nod to the film.
Emperor: Battle for Dune could easily have been just a grain in the vast RTS desert but Westwood have taken the significant elements of the Dune universe and woven them into a technically superb and innovative title, packed with missions, features and (even) great cut scenes. A treat for fans of both genre and story and for those wanting to ease their way into the gentle art of strategy and war. --Tae Mawson
