Like a sandworm rising from the deep desert to swallow a spice harvester whole, Dune: Awakening erupted onto the scene in 2025 with ambition as vast as the open bled. The launch may have been a dust storm of mixed opinions, but developer Funcom is not the type to simply curl up in a stillsuit and wait for the weather to change. Fast forward to early 2026, and the planet Arrakis has never looked more tempting – or more packed with new ways to die, drive, and decorate your character.
A wandering Fremen would tell you that the desert reveals its treasures only to the patient, but patient Funcom is not. They've just unleashed the Lost Harvest DLC alongside a generous free Chapter 2 update, a combo that could make even a Harkonnen reconsider their brutal ways. And if that weren’t enough spice to lure you into the deep desert, there’s a free weekend and a 20% discount that'll make your wallet sigh with relief.
The Lost Harvest: More Than Just a Spice Run
The paid DLC, Lost Harvest, is not simply a hat you slap onto a character – it’s a full-blown narrative expansion that sends players crashing into the wreckage of a downed spaceship. Picture the scene: twisted metal baking under the twin suns, secrets buried in the sand, and the constant threat of assassins on the prowl. That's just the appetizer. The main course takes you into the deep tunnels and hidden safehouses beneath the planet’s parched surface. It's the kind of place where you half expect to find a Guild Navigator muttering about the future in a dimly lit corner.
Of course, any true Dune tale needs a weapon in hand, and the DLC serves up a banquet of new armor sets and weapon skins that would make a Sardaukar weep with envy. But the real star of the show? The Treadwheel. This bizarre contraption is harder to describe with words than a sandworm's dental plan. Imagine a bi-wheeled bike with tyres so massive they could roll over a sleeping Muad'Dib. A tiny cockpit sits wedged between them like an afterthought. A second player can hop on the back, guns blazing, turning the whole machine into a two-person disco of destruction. It's absurd, it's glorious, and it’s exactly the sort of nonsense that makes Dune: Awakening a sandbox for emergent chaos. Honk the horn if you love rolling over your enemies – literally.
Chapter 2: The Free Side of the Spice
If you’re the type who believes the best things in life are free (like the air you breathe, assuming you're not on Arrakis without a stillsuit), then the Chapter 2 update is a sandstorm of joy. Funcom has layered in even more story threads that will have you stopping assassins, tracing bloodlines, and sneaking through libraries like a ninja who really needs to return a overdue book. The narrative is delivered with the gravitas of a Bene Gesserit whisper, and the quest design encourages you to stop and smell the spice blooms.
Looking a bit rough after all that desert survival? The update has you covered with an abundance of new customization options. That’s right – you can now book an appointment at the hairdresser’s place and the tattoo parlor. Finally, a chance to get that iconic Shai-Hulud ink without having to ride the worm yourself. Want a fresh fade before tackling a smuggler camp? Go for it. There’s something deeply satisfying about knowing that even in a universe where water is more precious than gold, you can still look fabulous.
A Free Weekend That’s Actually Long Enough
Funcom seems to know that enticing players back into the desert requires more than just a couple of shiny new toys. That’s why they staged a free weekend that stretched from Thursday all the way to Monday – a four-day marathon that feels almost as long as one of those endless Guild negotiations. If your weekends are usually two days of Netflix and regret, this was a gift from the maker. The free weekend may have sailed into the sunset by now, but the accompanying discount keeps the spice flowing. You can still snatch Dune: Awakening for its lowest price ever thanks to a 20% discount, running right up until late September 2026. At $12.99 (or £10.99 across the pond), the Lost Harvest DLC is a ticket to more desert mayhem than you can shake a crysknife at.
Should You Return to Arrakis?
With the mixed launch now firmly in the rearview mirror, Funcom’s commitment to mending bridges (and building new ones out of Treadwheel parts) deserves a nod. The Lost Harvest DLC and Chapter 2 update don’t just patch the holes; they add entire wings to the sandcastle. The emergent stories that players craft on this desert planet are finally matching the ambition of Frank Herbert’s universe, and the addition of sheer goofy fun like the Treadwheel proves the developers aren't afraid to have a laugh while making you fear the worm.
If you’re still on the fence, the free weekend and discount practically shove you off it. You don’t even need to pass the Gom Jabbar to get in – just a PC that can handle the grains of sand. So fire up the harvester, call your sardaukar squad, and go make some noise on Arrakis. The spice must flow, and somewhere out there, a giant wheeled bike with your name on it is waiting to roll into the sunset.