Dune II
Also known as Dune 2, Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty, Dune II: Battle for Arrakis
Dune II is a 1992 real-time strategy game developed by Westwood Studios. Set on the desert planet Arrakis of the science-fiction universe it draws from, players choose one of three warring noble houses and battle for control of the valuable spice melange, harvesting resources, constructing bases and building armies to dominate the planet.
The game is widely regarded as a foundational blueprint for the modern real-time strategy genre, establishing conventions such as resource gathering with harvesters, base construction with a build-order tech tree, unit production, and streamlined mouse-driven control of individual units. Its mission-based campaigns, distinct factions with unique special units, and the constant threat of giant sandworms lurking beneath the desert gave its influential design a memorable identity.
Dune II laid the groundwork for the real-time strategy titles that came to dominate the 1990s, directly inspiring Westwood's own Command & Conquer and Blizzard's Warcraft. It stands as a historically important classic, cherished as the template on which the genre was built.
Where can you play Dune II today?
Device by device, which of the 5 alternatives below you can play on it.
- PC
- Dune Legacy (Free), Tooth and Tail (€ 19,99), OpenRA (Free) and 2 more.
- Mac
- Dune Legacy (Free), Tooth and Tail (€ 19,99) and OpenRA (Free). All 3 on Mac
- Linux
- Dune Legacy (Free), Tooth and Tail (€ 19,99) and OpenRA (Free). All 3 on Linux
- iPhone
- None of the alternatives to Dune II runs on iPhone.
- iPad
- None of the alternatives to Dune II runs on iPad.
- Android phone
- None of the alternatives to Dune II runs on Android phone.
- Android tablet
- None of the alternatives to Dune II runs on Android tablet.
- PlayStation
- Tooth and Tail (€ 19,99), Dune: Awakening (€ 49,99) and Dune: Spice Wars (€ 39,99). All 3 on PlayStation
- Xbox
- Dune: Awakening (€ 49,99) and Dune: Spice Wars (€ 39,99).
- Switch
- None of the alternatives to Dune II runs on Switch.
- Steam Deck
- Tooth and Tail (€ 19,99), Dune: Awakening (€ 49,99) and Dune: Spice Wars (€ 39,99). All 3 on Steam Deck
Games like Dune II
Modern alternatives to Dune II, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Dune Legacy Indie
FreeA free open-source rebuild of Dune II with modern resolutions, multi-unit selection and proper build queues.
Dune Legacy runs on PC, Mac, Linux. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
Tooth and Tail Indie
€ 19,99A fast, streamlined indie RTS designed for controllers.
Tooth and Tail is also an alternative to 1 other classic
Tooth and Tail runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
OpenRA
FreeA free, open-source engine that modernises classic Westwood RTS games.
OpenRA is also an alternative to 1 other classic
OpenRA runs on PC, Mac, Linux. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
Dune: Awakening
€ 49,99A large-scale Arrakis survival MMO, the biggest modern Dune game even though it drops the RTS view.
Dune: Awakening runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Dune: Spice Wars
€ 39,99A modern 4X/RTS hybrid set in the Dune universe.
Dune: Spice Wars runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
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