Dune: Awakening receives expanded free trial until

Funcom’s Dune: Awakening made an impression on players looking for a new type of MMO with heavy survival and base-building elements. We personally found it quite compelling at launch, and while it’s had to deal with growing pains recently, a new free trial and the deepest discount yet are giving curious players a chance to venture into the sands of Arrakis.

The news dropped yesterday and were also shared via the game’s Steam page, announcing that, until November 27, a refreshed free trial will be available. It allows newcomers to play for free for 10 hours, explore the entirety of the Hagga Basin area, and keep their progress should they choose to pick up the full game.

The aforementioned 25% off discount is also in effect until December 1, making the game $37.49, which is its lowest-ever price if we don’t look for deals outside of Steam. Considering the sheer amount of content available at launch and all the improvements that have been applied even if players skip the premium DLC for now, that’s good bang-for-the-buck for gamers looking for a sci-fi survival game full of unique ideas.

It’s important to note, however, that Dune: Awakening has, so far, been a demanding survival game for those players who prefer a less nomadic play style, as bases have to be taken care of regularly. The loop is quite punishing if you spend too much time away from the game, and while it’s possible that Funcom will look into reworking certain aspects of it or giving players the chance to join less hardcore servers, that’s where things are at right now.

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