Technodynamics Dune 2000 Review

For those of you that don't know, Westwood invented the Real Time Strategy genre many years back with one of its early titles known as "Dune 2." Although the original Dune 2 was an awesome game, it does show its age when compared to modern games like StarCraft and many other strategy games. Westwood has the rights to a top-notch sci-fi flick, and the know-how to make killer games, so why not combine the two and update a classic? Well, that's exactly what they did. Dune 2000 is actually a remake of the original. 16-bit color graphics, cinemas, multiplayer options, and more missions are all new to Dune 2000.

Veterans of other Westwood titles like Command and Conquer 95 and Red Alert will feel right at home with the Dune 2000 interface. In fact, Dune 2000 has the same feel and similar features as Red Alert. You will notice that troops yell out their orders "yes sir!" like in in Red Alert. The ability to hot key vast quantities of units is another Westwood trademark, along with classic extremely high quality cinematic sequences to liven the storyline in between missions. Being so similar to Red Alert is a safe bet for Westwood, because the Red Alert's gaming engine is tried and true, guaranteeing gamers a solid game. On the other hand, it may disappoint gamers looking for a game that will replace Red Alert, or StarCraft.

One of the very strongest features that should help sell this game is the incredible full motion video in the mission briefings and intro screens. A blend of computer generated cinematics with live action actors will fool even the hardcore Dune movie fans into thinking that Westwood found edited sequences from the movie for use in this game. Another cool feature is the sandworm. The fear of having your mining harvester destroyed by the huge Dune worms that guard the "Spice Melange", will keep you on your toes, adding another dimension to the game. If the enemy doesn't destroy you, the Sandworms just may. In multi player games, you can summon the worms to your enemies spice mining area by putting "thumpers" in the sand, which send out vibrations deep into the soil, attracting the Sandworms. You can see the Sandworms moving beneath the sand by a subtle color shift on top of the sand, with an occasional electric field blasting nearby. When your troops yell "Wormsign!", you better be on the alert.

There are multiple layers that you will be able to move on. The rock is the safe zone, providing protection from the Sandworms, and allowing you to build your base on a solid foundation. You can also maneuver at your own risk across the sand. While many of the battle you will fight will be located here, you must keep an eye out for the Sandworms, because they will destroy any unit that they consume. There is also an air layer, which is reserved for the higher tech air units that you will be able to develop later in the game.

What's the bottom line? Dune 2000 is a high quality upgrade to its original Dune 2. Fans of Red Alert will feel right at home with this game, as it may feel like a Dune mission pack for Red Alert. Dune 2000 will not defeat the current Real Time Strategy king, StarCraft, but will definitely give gamers a fun and satisfying time while they wait for Command and Conquer 2, which Westwood is planning to retake the throne of the RTS market.

	Here is a snapshot from one of the many cinemas that grace Dune 2000. The effects, look, and acting are all high caliber and really compliment the game. Fans of the movie will not be disappointed, as Dune 2000 follows the basic plot line of the movie, while still being original. The effects are so realistic that you will honestly think that there are captures directly from the movie.
	Classic Westwood combat. There are a large variety of ground forces that you can build, each one having its own unique characteristics and attributes. The best defensive and offensive forces will be a blend of several unit types, each attacking the units they were designed to kill... making strategies like this virtually eliminates "tank rushes", where players build a million of the same type of unit and rush them into the enemy defense.
	Shown here is the mighty Sandworm that slowly burrows its way beneath the surface of Dune. I found that during most gameplay, if you keep a mental note as to where the Sandworms location is, you will never have to worry. Only in times of heavy combat will you forget, leaving your harvesters vulnerable to their attack. In multiplayer games, you can set a thumper near your enemies spice fields, slowing down their production capability.