Emperor: Battle for Dune
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1985 |
| Fate | Acquired by Electronic Arts |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas , United States |
| Products | Emperor: Battle for Dune, Dune 2000, Dune II |
Emperor: Battle for Dune is a real-time strategy title launched by Westwood Studios in June 2001, situated within Frank Herbert's Dune universe. It acts as a direct continuation of Dune 2000, following on from Dune II and Dune 2000, featuring the return of familiar characters and voice actors. Like its predecessor, Emperor incorporates Full Motion Video sequences performed by live actors.
Gameplay
In this game, players take command of one of three noble Houses vying for dominance over the spice mélange on the desert planet Arrakis. The gameplay revolves around spice harvesting, constructing bases, and training military units to outmaneuver opponents, consistent with Westwood’s signature RTS mechanics. Matches begin with unexplored map areas concealed by a black shroud, while regions outside unit vision remain covered by a grey fog.
Each House possesses distinctive units that embody their characteristics: Atreides deploy mechanical walkers and sonic weaponry; Harkonnen utilize heavy tanks and flamethrowers; Ordos employ energy shields alongside self-repairing units. Capturing enemy production facilities grants access to their unique units. The campaign introduces allied sub-factions such as the Fremen, Ix, Tleilaxu, Guild, and Imperial Sardaukar, which can be recruited to provide specialized forces. Unlike Dune 2000, player decisions during the campaign influence diplomatic relations between factions and alter narrative outcomes.
Every House offers its own single-player campaign enriched with full motion video cutscenes. Multiplayer options include online play, local area network matches, and skirmish battles against AI-controlled adversaries.
Setting
Emperor: Battle for Dune continues the story from Dune 2000, unfolding after the assassination of Emperor Corrino by his concubine Lady Elara, an event that throws the Landsraad into chaos.
Plot
The Spacing Guild summons the three surviving Houses—House Atreides, House Harkonnen, and House Ordos—to engage in a lethal contest of assassins on Arrakis. The triumphant House will assume leadership of the Landsraad and ascend as the new Padishah Emperor.
Simultaneously, the secretive Tleilaxu are gathering sandworm specimens to bioengineer an Emperor Worm endowed with formidable psychic powers granted by Lady Elara. To subjugate forces loyal to the Houses, the Guild disperses a mind-controlling substance into Arrakis’s water supply. The victorious faction must return through the Smugglers Guild to eliminate the Emperor Worm and reclaim control over the spice mélange, thereby securing their leader’s imperial throne.
Subplots
While each campaign concludes with the defeat of the Emperor Worm, individual Houses pursue unique objectives:
- House Atreides* emphasizes restoring alliances with the Fremen by safeguarding Fremen envoys from Tleilaxu assaults. Their campaign is characterized by honorable intentions without ulterior motives.
- House Harkonnen* focuses on internal conflict between Baron Rakan’s heirs, Gunseng and Copec. Following Copec’s poisoning of the Baron to seize power, a civil war erupts on Giedi Prime, compelling players to align with one faction and influence the future leadership of House Harkonnen.
- House Ordos* exploits ghola cloning technology to produce a puppet version of Emperor Shaddam Corrino in order to manipulate subordinate factions such as Fremen, Sardaukar, and Smugglers. Governed by the calculating Executrix collective and guided by Mentat Roma Atani, Ordos employs deceit to fracture alliances and secure supremacy.
Additional narrative threads explore faction rivalries on Arrakis: competition between Ix and Tleilaxu forces players to choose allegiances; Sardaukar warriors preserved in suspended animation may join whichever faction revives them.
Cast
The narrative of the game is presented through full-motion video sequences featuring prominent actors:
- Michael Dorn portraying Duke Achillus Atreides
- Mike McShane as Baron Rakan Harkonnen
- Minae Noji in the role of Roma Atani
- Vincent Schiavelli playing Mentat Yanich Kobal
- Michael Bailey Smith as Burseg
- Musetta Vander cast as Lady Elara
- Nicholas Worth performing as Mentat Kolinar Koltrass
Reception
According to the review compilation site Metacritic, the game earned a score of 79/100, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
Jason Kapalka from Computer Gaming World commended the title for its "appealing graphics, enjoyable cinematic sequences, intriguing units, and a captivating campaign map," yet he pointed out drawbacks such as "dated visuals, subpar AI and pathfinding, inadequate multiplayer functionality, and missing typical RTS control elements." Star Dingo of GamePro remarked that although Emperor resembled a refined 3D Dune-inspired iteration of C&C, it retained a quick pace and enjoyable gameplay despite its limited innovation. GamePro awarded it strong marks for graphics (4.5/5) and audio (4.5/5), along with respectable ratings for controls and overall fun (4/5 each). Jason Samuel of NextGen suggested the game primarily appeals to enthusiasts of Westwood’s RTS style but advised others to consider if they desire a similar experience.
External links
- Emperor: Battle for Dune at Dune2K.com
- Official website (archived)