Dune 2000

by Sony Playstation Dune 2000

Product Features

• 1 or 2 Players
• 3D Real-time Warfare
• Analog Control, Mouse, Link Cable Compatible
• Play 3 Sides Across 30 Missions
• Cinematic Quality. Full Motion Video

Product Details

• ASIN: B00002R1XC
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,838 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

For fans of Command and Conquer, Dune 2000 is the sequel to the real-time strategy game that started it all, Dune II. In Dune 2000, you play as one of three rival "houses" from Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi book series. You can select from the Atreides, Harkonnen, or the Ordos. Each house has its own strengths and weaknesses, just like the GDI and the NOD, from C&C. Basically a port of the PC version, Dune 2000 is lackluster at best, because it is a port of a lackluster PC game. In Dune 2000, you're warring with the other houses over control of the spice mines, which, in typical real-time-strategy-game fashion, is the resource you must harvest to further your other causes, such as building the machines of war. Each house has its own technology tree that you must master to conquer the inevitable invading forces. Ultimately, you'll work your way through missions, steering you toward complete dominance of the planet Arrakis' spice mines. Besides warring with the other houses, you must also contend with nature's own monstrous sandworms and with religious zealots called the Fremen. Despite the game's basic competence at handling the real-time action, it is at its best merely average, and at its worst impractical. The majority of the problems facing ports of almost any RTS game are caused by the controls, have been severely compromised to fit on a PlayStation controller. Although this problem isn't enough to make the game unplayable, it's enough to make it more frustrating. PC gamers are used to hot keys and key-specific commands. When these functions are buried deep in layers of menus configured to the PlayStation controller, they simply add to what is already a traditionally complex interface. Anyone who has this game for the PC will not likely be buying it for the PlayStation, but even PlayStation owners will find the controls overly busy. Beyond the questionable control scheme, the visuals really highlight how ill-equipped the PlayStation is at handling what are supposed to be high-resolution graphics. While the little people running around the screen are, of course, supposed to be drawn to scale, they look like sprites rendered by an Intellivision. Similarly, the backgrounds also border on monotonous, due to the desert settings. The buildings you create and the machines you construct all suffer from a loss of detail, which is further enhanced by the fact that most people will be playing this game on a normal TV. Simply put, the game isn't very pretty to look at. Although gameplay is king when it comes to RTS's, the gameplay here is painfully average, which is only exacerbated by the fact that the graphics fail to liven things up. The game is interspersed with live-action FMVs designed to draw you into the Dune 2000 world. Expect a C&C level of quality, and you won't walk away disappointed. Movies, sadly, are not enough to save this game from bargain-bin status. While there are 30 missions spread out among the three houses, only gamers with no other RTS recourse will find themselves playing this game, which is, in almost ironic fashion, far inferior to Westwood's own Command and Conquer series. If you think this game is unusual among console-based real-time strategies, it's not, as Blizzard's upcoming Starcraft 64 faces the same problems. At the present, however, Dune 2000 is its own worst enemy, and this game is suitable only for those with no other choice for some real-time action. This is rental material, at best.--James Mielke--Copyright © 1998 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited.

Product Description

This is the game Dune 2000 for the Playstation 1. This game may not come with the original case and instructions. We stand by our products and offer a 60 day guarantee. If a game does not work within 60 days from the time you receive it we will gladly exchange it for you.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funtastic!, February 1, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Dune 2000 (Video Game)

Having read the series of Dune books and playing the SEGA version of Dune, I have found Dune 2000 to be more fun than ever. The graphics are improved over the SEGA version, however not quite 3D. As you conquer more of the planet, the level of play is increasingly more difficult and you are constantly fighting to survive. The upper levels for each House can easily consume an entire day. Dune 2000 is a simpler startegy game in that you have to consider your priorities on what to construct in order to survive the impending onslaught of the opposing houses. Controls are simple to operate and learn. The only drawback that I see is that you cannot save in the middle of a level. You must complete whatever level you are on before you can save the game. Despite this slight drawback it is a very fun game and easily playable.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Initially disappointing, but it grows on you., December 23, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Dune 2000 (Video Game)

When I first picked up the box in an electronics store and looked at the back, I was exited to see the high level of graphics displayed on the box. I also noticed the words 'Westwood studios' and 'Real-Time strategy' written on the box. This combination is a guaranteed must-have. I enthusiastically bought the game and rushed home to play it. I immediately went into skirmish mode (which I believe is more fun than regular, campaign mode in all games) and began building my army. This game is supposedly a '3D' game. I notice this ONLY when I concentrate on seeing the 3D. Perhaps this feature would have been enhanced if the player could zoom in and out and/or rotate the view 360 degrees. The 'futuristic' units in this game look fairly modern. I wouldn't think that in 10,000 years armies still use bullets and explosive shells, along with tanks that look like those in the world today. Another disappointing feature came in the explosions. I figured that since this game was 3D, it should have some pretty impressive explosions; I was dead wrong. The explosions look like those in the original Command and Conquer. This reference to Command and Conquer brings us to yet another point of criticism. The game, although brightly colored and in '3D', is merely the skeleton of Command and Conquer, with a new skin attached. Since I am a Command and Conquer fan and long-time addict of the afore-mentioned series of games, the learning curve for me was about 10 seconds; this because the controls in Dune 2000 are IDENTICAL to the controls of Command and Conquer. Alright, enough with the slamming; now for the redeeming features of this game. After about an hour of playing, I discovered the significance of the starport structure. This allows you to purchase 'mail-order' units such as tanks and planes. You can purchase these items in bulk and the cost is immediately detracted from your funds. It takes about one minute for the items to arrive (up to six units at a time). This is much better than waiting a minute for EACH item to be built in the factory. I have found myself playing late into the night over the past few days. This game, though initially disapponting, grows on you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Westwood Can do better! I've seen it!, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Dune 2000 (Video Game)

Don't get me wrong, I like this game. In fact I have it on the PC where it has much better graphics. The playstation version is alright but nothing special Westwood did the bare minimum. It will hold your attention if you have the patience. I just feel that it was a half effort by Westwood (Company that made this title) . I hope Westwood does not try this again with say, Tieberian Sun. Do it right the first time the way I know you can or do not do it at all. Also, multiplayer on Playstation two would be nice.