Dune: Awakening has caught a lot of attention with its open-world survival set on Arrakis, mixing exploration, combat, and base building. If you’ve been digging its vibe but want something a bit different or just more variety, here are eight games that might scratch that same itch.
These picks aren’t in the Dune universe, but they share gameplay qualities like crafting depth, survival challenges, or MMO progression. Whether you’re tired of wringing moisture from your stillsuit or just want to try something new, these titles have plenty to offer.
1. Once Human
Eldritch Mutants In The Night
Once Human might appeal if you liked Dune: Awakening’s crafting and combat. It’s set in a mutant apocalypse where you build your fortress and look at a vast world. The game throws environmental hazards and big bosses at you, with lots of crafting to unlock, though it can feel grindy sometimes.
Despite the horror themes, it’s more psychedelic than scary, and it’s free-to-play with optional purchases that don’t gate progress. If you’re new to MMOs, this won’t feel like a huge leap.
2. Planet Crafter
Terraform Your Utopia
Planet Crafter focuses on terraforming a desert planet into a livable world. It’s a survival game with deep base building and resource management, but no combat. You’ll juggle hunger, thirst, oxygen, and dodge hazards like meteor showers. Co-op play is available, which adds an extra layer of excitement.
It’s not an MMO like Dune, but the feeling that every small action helps prepare your world is satisfying.
3. Valheim
A Highly Regarded Viking Survival Game
Valheim is a favorite survival game with a Viking twist, boasting a 94% positive Steam rating. It’s known for its deep crafting and combat, plus a charming, mythological world full of dragons and jotuns.
Building your Viking longboat and sailing into the unknown is one of the best experiences here. If base-building in Dune: Awakening hooked you, Valheim will take that to a whole new level with impressive cities and creative environmental solutions.
4. ARK: Survival Evolved
A Classic MMO With Dinosaur Madness
Imagine if you could tame sandworms instead of avoiding them. That’s kinda what ARK: Survival Evolved offers, but with dinosaurs. It’s been around for a decade and grown into one of the most detailed MMOs out there.
You can craft weapons and armor, even breed dinosaurs with distinct traits. The combat and base building are also solid, starting with simple bows and arrows and progressing to current technology.
5. Conan Exiles
The Barbarian Dune Awakening
Conan Exiles shares developers with Dune: Awakening (Funcom), making it a natural pick for similar gameplay and atmosphere. It’s set in a prehistoric mythological world, offering more content given it’s nearly 10 years old.
Play online or solo, but beware PvP hacking issues. PvE and single-player are safer bets. It may not look as sharp as Dune, but it still holds up with diverse biomes beyond just the desert.
6. No Man’s Sky
Expansive Sci-Fi Exploration
No Man’s Sky has had a wild ride since launch, but now offers one of the largest open worlds ever, a whole galaxy. Survival and resource gathering are key, with huge bases and customizable spaceships.
It’s not an MMO like Dune, but the scope and ongoing free content updates make it a solid pick for sci-fi and open-world fans.
