Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Blog › Dune: Awakening

Dune: Awakening on PS5 Review: A Strong Solo Option With Survival Friction

By Freedom251 Team · · 4 min read

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Dune: Awakening arrived on PlayStation 5 on September 22, 2026. Its full single-player mode, adjustable survival settings, and the option to avoid PvP give players a way to explore Arrakis without committing to a shared-world survival experience. That flexibility is its clearest appeal; reported rough onboarding, interface issues, and uneven survival systems may still test newcomers’ patience.

Can you play Dune: Awakening solo on PS5?

Yes. Funcom says the PS5 release includes a full single-player mode with the game’s content and features, plus additional story content that concludes Book One. You can tailor settings such as harvesting rates, death penalties, and experience gain; solo and private-server play can also disable the sandworm. These options let players reduce some of the pressure without removing the central task of surviving on Arrakis. Funcom’s launch announcement and its PS5 feature on solo play and settings describe the available options.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Solo, PvE, and PvP are different choices

Playing solo means proceeding at your own pace rather than sharing the world with other players. If you want multiplayer but not player-versus-player combat, Funcom says the whole game can be played PvE. The Deep Desert also has separate PvE and PvP instances; PvP carries higher risk and rewards, according to the publisher. The distinction matters: avoiding PvP does not require giving up multiplayer, and choosing solo is not the only way to keep other players from being an adversarial part of the experience.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Tom’s Guide’s September 18 console hands-on found that the full solo mode and adjustable difficulty made the game more inviting for someone who usually avoids survival games, especially when played alone at a personal pace. That is the publication’s assessment, not a guarantee that the survival loop will suit every player. Read Tom’s Guide’s console hands-on.

#1 Best Overall
Dune: Awakening - PlayStation 5
  • Step into the world of Dune and explore an immersive, open world Arrakis, from sandworm-infested deserts to the sprawling city of Arrakeen
  • Experience a unique, cinematic Dune story that gives clear meaning and purpose to your otherwise freeform survival crafting journey
  • From the slow blade to epic firepower, train and progress as a Swordmaster, Bene Gesserit, Trooper, and Mentat to unlock their signature weapons and abilities
  • Rise from survival to greatness as you grow your own piece of Arrakis from a modest crafting base into a sprawling fortress, or secure your fortune by chasing spice blows and running your own spice-refining operation
  • Play single-player and customize every aspect of your experience, or go online to team up with friends on private or public multiplayer servers

Do you need PS Plus for Dune: Awakening single-player?

No. PlayStation’s official product listing states that PS Plus is not required for single-player. The listing does not establish subscription requirements for every online or multiplayer feature, so check the current PlayStation listing if you plan to use those modes. PlayStation’s Dune: Awakening listing also identifies the PS5 release as an action, adventure, and role-playing game published by Funcom Oslo AS.

Is Dune: Awakening worth it on PS5 if you don’t like survival games?

It is a more plausible choice than a survival game that forces constant interaction with other players or locks its content behind standard survival difficulty. Solo play, PvE, and adjustable settings reduce those barriers. But they do not turn the game into a conventional action adventure: the premise still depends on surviving in a hostile environment, and the tuning options change how punishing the systems are rather than removing them.

Rank #2
Dune: Awakening Day One Edition (PlayStation 5)
  • Explore a vast, open world Dune - Discover a dynamic and immersive Arrakis, from the rolling sand dunes of the Deep Desert to hidden Fremen caves and the bustling city streets of Ardkeen. Climb towering mountains with the Shigawire hook and fly across sandworm-infested deserts in an ornithopter you built yourself. Escape the destructive might of the massive sandstorms towering above you as they sweep across the landscape, then take a quiet moment to witness the beauty of Arrakis when the sun is low.
  • Unravel an epic, cinematic Dune story - In Dune: Awakening, you get to step into the books and movies and experience one of science fiction’s most incredible worlds up close. Join the Atreides or the Harkonnen and rise through their ranks as you explore their unique stories. Meet familiar characters such as Duke Leto and Feyd-Rautha, investigate the mysterious disappearance of the Fremen, and discover the truth about your own past. Unravel an epic, cinematic Dune story that asks the mind-bending question: what if Paul Atreides was never born?
  • Become a master of combat and survival - Arrakis is a test that few survive. Those who do, awaken. Learn to survive the unique climate of Arrakis, chasing shade and extracting liquid from the bodies of your enemies to refine it into water. Study the teachings of the Schools of the Imperium to unlock a powerful repertoire of abilities, weapons, and tools. Wield the Trooper’s unparalleled firepower, use the Bene Gesserit voice to control your enemies, deploy the Mentat’s deceptive traps, or master the Swordmaster’s unique dance of death.
  • Build your stronghold, craft your ornithopter - Carve out your own piece of Arrakis and build your personal base of operations. From small outposts to elaborate and towering strongholds, build everything piece-by-piece in the Atreides or Harkonnen style, or any of the other available architectural styles, and decorate it to reflect your personality. Equip it with powerful crafting machines and spice refineries and watch your power and fortune grow. Craft anything from useful desert-survival gadgets to entire vehicles such as ground cars and ornithopters.
  • Single-player, multiplayer, and scalable difficulty - Play alone in full single-player, multiplayer with friends on a shared server, or with hundreds of other players on a public server. The full game, with all its features, content and story, is available regardless of which mode you choose. Both single-player and private multiplayer servers offer extensive customization options, allowing you to scale difficulty and tune gameplay options however you like.

GamesRadar’s September 22 PS5 review praised the game’s visual presentation and said its 60fps option felt better to play, while criticizing onboarding, the user interface, survival-system execution, and enemy behavior. Those are the outlet’s hands-on judgments. Taken together with Tom’s Guide’s more positive view of solo play, they suggest a split: Arrakis and the freedom to play alone may draw you in, but the path through the game can feel rough. Read GamesRadar’s PS5 review.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

How does Dune: Awakening run on PS5 and PS5 Pro?

Funcom describes two graphics modes. Its prelaunch PS5 feature gave Performance Mode a 60fps target and Quality Mode a 30fps target; the launch announcement later described them as 60fps and 30fps with Dynamic 4K. These are publisher specifications, not independently verified frame-rate or image-quality measurements.

Rank #3
Sale
Space Adventure Cobra: The Awakening - PlayStation 5
  • Visit a multitude of exotic planets across levels filled with traps testing your skills to the limit. With Cobra’s superhuman abilities, you will need to relentlessly run, jump and climb, and make sure you use all the means at your disposal to take out your enemies.
  • Master Cobra’s iconic weapons, such as the awesome psychogun and the Colt Python 77, to destroy the opponents on your heels, as well as his famous gadgets like the cigar and the grappling hook. You will need all of your arsenal to defeat the powerful bosses standing in your way.
  • Explore story mode by choosing from the 3 difficulty levels, allowing veterans of the genre to take on a real test worthy of their skills, while those looking for less of a challenge to enjoy the story. You can also try to escape your enemies in a 2-player co-op mode.
  • Immerse yourself in this amazing space opera world as you embark on your adventure as a fearsome, charismatic hero. Over the course of this epic journey, you will cross paths with colorful characters like the Royal Sisters and the terrifying Crystal Bowie – Cobra’s nemesis.
  • Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening is the first video-game adaptation of Cobra on modern platforms. it covers the first 12 episodes of the famous anime series, remaining true to its spirit with the moments of bravery and humor that made it so special.
Console and mode Funcom’s published description
Base PS5 Performance 60fps target; the prelaunch feature says frame generation is used. The launch announcement describes Performance Mode as 60fps with Dynamic 4K.
Base PS5 Quality 30fps target; the launch announcement describes Quality Mode as 30fps with Dynamic 4K.
PS5 Pro Performance 60fps target without frame generation, according to Funcom’s prelaunch feature.
PS5 Pro Quality 30fps target; Funcom’s launch announcement says Quality Mode has higher native resolution and enhanced visuals on PS5 Pro.

Funcom’s prelaunch feature described upscaled 4K in either mode, while its launch announcement used the term Dynamic 4K. Those descriptions are not a substitute for independent testing. Choose Performance if smoother motion matters more to you; Quality is the option to try if you prefer the publisher’s stated visual enhancements. Funcom’s PS5 mode details and its launch announcement provide the specifications.

Does Dune: Awakening have cross-play on PS5?

Cross-play between platforms is planned for after launch, but Funcom’s September 22 announcement gives no rollout date. The announcement confirms the plan, not that cross-play is currently active. If playing with friends on other platforms is essential, check for a newer official status update before buying. The launch announcement is the source for the stated status.

Rank #4
Dune Awakening (Day 1 Edition)
  • Dune: Awakening is an open world single player and multiplayer survival title featuring immersive adventures and RPG gameplay. Explore, build and craft in a cinematic Dune story where you will gain true greatness as a survivor on the most legendary planet in the universe.
  • Explore a huge open-world dune
  • Experience an epic, cinematic Dune story
  • Become a master of battle and survival
  • Build your fortress and build an ornithopter
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What else should PS5 buyers know?

Accessibility and controls

PlayStation’s listing names basic controller remapping, adjustable stick sensitivity and inversion, customizable difficulty, control and tutorial reminders, and an option to play without rapid or simultaneous button presses. These settings may help with specific control preferences, though the listing does not describe a broader accessibility feature set. See PlayStation’s feature listing.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Physical edition and regional distribution

A physical PS5 edition is available, with distribution handled by Bandai Namco Entertainment in EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand; Solutions 2 GO in the Americas; and Spike Chunsoft in Japan. The publisher named October 29, 2026, as Japan’s release date. Availability and edition details vary by region, so confirm them with a local retailer. The publisher’s announcement lists the regional distributors.

Best Value
Assetto Corsa Competizione - PlayStation 5
  • Assetto Corsa Competizione allows you to feel the real atmosphere of the GT3 championship
  • Compete against official drivers,teams, cars circuits reproduced in game with the highest level of accuracy ever achieved on console
  • Sprint, Endurance, and Spa 24 Hours races come to life with an incredible level of realism, in both single and multiplayer modes

Optional Filmic Archive cosmetics

The Filmic Archive is a separate cosmetic DLC, not part of the base-game description. Funcom announced it at $9.99 and said it includes film-inspired clothing and armor, 73 Sardaukar building pieces, decorative items, weapons, and emotes. Store pricing and availability can change, so check the current platform storefront before purchasing. The publisher’s DLC announcement gives the contents and announced price.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 4
Dune Awakening (Day 1 Edition)
Dune Awakening (Day 1 Edition)
Explore a huge open-world dune; Experience an epic, cinematic Dune story; Become a master of battle and survival
$60.47
Bestseller No. 5
Assetto Corsa Competizione - PlayStation 5
Assetto Corsa Competizione - PlayStation 5
Assetto Corsa Competizione allows you to feel the real atmosphere of the GT3 championship
$28.00

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Dune: AwakeningGame reviewsPlayStation 5PS5Survival Games

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.