Dune

The Good
“Dune” is one of the few “most own” games for the Sega CD (or “Mega CD” if you grew up outside of America) library.

While the early 1990s, CD-ROM peripheral device was hyped up as the “Next Level” in gaming, many loyal Sega customers, myself included, were bitterly disappointed with the results. Admist such gamer despair, came a handful of bright lights, such as “Dune”.

These bright lights, were a handful of Sega CD games that served as the proverbial “diamonds in the rough” to a Sega CD library filled with shovleware and B-minus, full motion video games on a system not really designed to do full motion video.

First, a little bit of background is in order. “Dune” is the first in a series of science-fiction novels written by Frank Herbert. In 1984, the novel was adapted, with mixed results, into a big budget, Hollywood film.

While Hollywood has largely avoided the franchise since 1984, several computer games set in the Dune film/novel universe were been released, with this particular “Dune” game being the first (and in this author's humble opinion the best) in a series of real time, strategy based computer games.

“Dune” clearly takes its visual cues from the 1984 film and while the Sega CD edition of the game cannot match the then standard 256-on screen colors PC capabilities, the game's animation and graphics are still some of the best seen on the Sega CD system.

The storyline is helped through periodic full motion video clips from the film, another benefit of the CD technology. While the Sega CD's hardware only allowed for a much more limited color capabilities, in comparison to the PC, it is worth noting that this is probably some of the best full motion video seen in a Sega CD game.

Credit has to be given to people at Cryo Interactive/Virgin Interactive for getting some great graphics and full motion visuals out of the Sega CD. Adapting a PC CD-ROM game for the Sega CD, couldn't have been an easy task, but this video game adaption has all the earmarkings of a true labor of love.

This game is not shovelwere. This game is not a rushed job. This is the sort of game that shows not just the potential of the Sega CD, but why video games should be respected as an art form. So, “bravo” to the folks at Cryo Interactive/Virgin Interactive.

Many of the “little” touches in the game also highlight just how much talent was behind this game. The real time elements are shown through night and day-inspired changes to the environment, cool texture maping of sane dunes is seen when you travel through the desert, and if you bring green vegetation to the desert planet, that will also change the in-game visuals.

The graphic capabilities of the Sega CD were weak, but it could pump out some great music and here, again, this game shines. While the voice talent is certainly great, it is the musical score in the game that really makes it stand out.

Words simply cannot do justice to how good the music in this game is at setting the mood and bringing the player into the Dune universe, including young love (a very well done desert, love scene) and the human rights and political struggle of the native inhabitants of the planet.

The music was given its own album release, but getting a hold of this game may be eaiser to do them locating the album. Sufficence to say, the music itself is well worth the price of the game. What about the game play mechanics? Well, I am pleased to say that the game play mechanics are smooth and responsive.

Even as you gain new abilities, vehicles and quests, it does not take long to figure out how to do what you want to do in the game, and it is simply amazing how the game is able to mix real-time military-diplomatic strategy with traditional graphic adventure gaming.

Many games have tried to offer a mixture of real-time strategy and graphic adventure gaming and, with few exceptions, they have failed miserably. However, this combination works superbly in “Dune” and this is another “Bravo!” moment for the folks at Cryo Interactive/Virgin Interactive.

Heck, even the loading time in this game is amazingly fast for the Sega CD. Lots of different things are happening in the game, especially as you develop your military, and I experienced very little in the way of slow down.

The Bad
My few serious complaints about the game fall into two categories; hardware and -- to be honest -- a bit of nitpicking.

Again, in terms of hardware, if you were familiar with the PC version, then it becomes impossible not to notice what happens when you go from having 256+ on-screen colors in a 16-bit game, to having to work with only 64.

The Sega CD's graphic capabilities were less then what was capable on the Super Nintendo, let alone standard PC computers or even the NEC Turbografx CD-ROM system.

This was a fatal design flaw in the Sega CD, which probably marked the beginning of the end for Sega's involvement in the hardware side of the industry.

So, while the Cryo Interactive/Virgin Interactive did the best that could be done -- given the hardware limitations -- it is still difficult not to look at a game as great as this one, and be reminded at just how "Next Level" the Sega CD really turned out to be.

In terms of petty nitpicking, the game can be a tad cruel (later in the story) when it comes to meeting the Emperor's spice demands and also trying to promote vegetation.

Yes, the cruelty is certainly realistic, especially if you are a fan of the franchise, but as the good spice mining territories dry up (often as the Emperor's spice demands increase) their were times when their was not much left for me to do, but quit and restore an earlier save point.

The Bottom Line
"Dune" for the Sega CD is a most-have for any Sega CD owner. It is a true diamond in the rough. Despite its hardware flaws and library of shovelwere, the Sega CD had potential for greatness. "Dune" is evidence of this.

The Good
The classic novels of Frank Herbert do not easily lend themselves to adaption. "Dune" is only the first in a series of novels, which reveal a fully developed, science fiction universe.

In the early 1980s, a movie based on the first Dune novel was released to, generally, mixed reviews. Fans, including Herbert, generally liked how close the film stayed to the original novel, but the film ended up being a rather expensive project that did not connect well with general audiences. What does any of this have to do with the video game?

Well, in 1992 Dune was adapted into an Amiga and DOS-based video game, with the Sega CD edition, released a year later. Visually, the game takes its cues from the 1984 film.

This means that the Sega CD game features nice Full Motion Video clips from the film, but also that the actual gameplay visuals are some of the best, most detailed and most varied, you will see on the Sega CD system.

Dune begins as a 'point and click' adventure game, with real-time strategy elements smoothly added into the mix. You take control of young Paul Atreides as he must befriend and organize the local inhabitations of the planet, Dune.

You must successfully ship the precious spice, found only on the planet, to the Emperor. Doing so means building alliances with the locals, gathering equipment, interacting with several Nonplayable Characters, including a love interest, and dealing with the Harkonnen.

The Harkonnens are a rival family who also has designs on mining the precious space on Dune. Competition is fierce and the Harkonnens are not above resorting to sabotage, even outright murder to foil Paul and his adventures.

As the storyline progresses, Paul begins to gain new psychic abilities, trains the locals in military conflict and, become something of a folk hero to the superstitious inhabitants.

To mine the spice, your primary goal, you must gain the trust of local inhabitants, provide them with the necessary equipment and expand your families territory.

All of this is accomplished with smooth gameplay mechanics, impressive visuals and a totally awesome soundtrack.

The Sega CD edition includes the DOS CD-ROM full motion video clips, impressive travel sequences, and extensive voice acting.

The Bad
Sadly, the Sega CD could only display 64 on-screen colors, compared to the basic 256 colors for the Amiga and DOS.

The limited hardware hurts the equality of the Full Motion Video and if you can notice the color limitations if you compare the Sega CD edition with its computer counterparts.

I also question the idea that this video game is suitable for all audiences, which was essentially the rating given to it by Sega's short-lived rating classification system.

I think that its probably better to classify this game as being suitable for players 13+, as opposed to a General Audience classification.

The military fighting can get pretty intense, and certain aspects of the story are a bit closer to PG/PG-13 content.

While it is not sexually explicit, Paul spends a rather romantic evening with a lady and sex is certainly implied to have taken place.

The Bottom Line
Dune is an amazing Sega CD game, which everyone should play before they die. If you like adventure gaming with real-time strategy, then this game is certainly up your alley.

The Good
Everything - starting with the gameplay itself. This game is genuinely good, with a good plot (though it diverts from the original Dune book) and excellent cutscenes.

The graphics are really, really good (including the 3D rendered flight scenes), the characters are well drawn and the sky palette changes are mind-boggling. The music is also awesome and changes according to the stage in the game you're in, the dialogues are well done and the lips synchronization in the CD version is unbelievably accurate.

The Bad
It's replayable, but there are no plot deviations, which make playing this game a second time much less enjoyable. The Ornithopter flight scenes when you're looking for a sietch are also rather annoying.

The Bottom Line
An incredibly enjoyable game you'll never forget.