Emperor: Battle for Dune

 PC
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. Happy Puppy
    95
    It is with out a doubt the best real-time strategy game on the market today. The multifaceted game play and shear volume of missions should keep you battling for spice until your eyes turn blue.
  2. GameZone
    90
    This is an incredible program, and could well be the RTS that will push the genre into new heights of graphic design.
  3. ActionTrip
    89
    An extremely fun game setting new standards in 3D technology and good Westwood-like gameplay.
  5. Games Radar
    88
    This is not quite a classic RTS, but a brave attempt by Westwood to consolidate their strategy finesse - and it's in 3D, to boot.
  6. Gamers' Temple
    88
    Those familiar with Westwood's prior strategy games will be very familiar with the game's controls.
  7. Armchair Empire
    88
    The interface and environment are familiar, the locations interesting, the controls easy to learn, and the challenge good.
  8. Game Revolution
    83
    The universe feels fully fleshed out and not just slapped together for a game. You understand the houses, the units, the motivations, and the raison d' etre. And of course, harvesting finally feels right.
  9. GameSpot
    83
    In borrowing conventions from earlier games, Westwood managed to make its latest project interesting enough and enjoyable enough to be worthwhile for virtually anyone who's ever liked another game of its type.
  10. Total Video Games
    80
    It lacks the polish of other Westwood games, however seeing as this is their first foray into three dimensions we can forgive the slightly rough feel and lack of overall refinement.
    All this publication's reviews
  11. GamePro
    80
    A limited camera, slightly wonky unit A.I., and a few absent unit-handling features seem like a retreat from ground already covered by other, older 2D RTS games.
  12. Gamer's Pulse
    80
    It’s solid and balanced, visually spectacular, offers a fairly easy though engaging single player campaign and skirmish mode, and is true (perhaps too true) to the common conventions of the genre.
  13. IGN
    80
    Dune nuts'll dig it, and strategy gamers will dig it too. And if you're a Dune nut who likes strategy games...you get the idea...Overall, while I think Emperor is a lot of fun, "Red Alert 2" offers a lot more fun for a much lower system investment.
  14. GamePower
    75
    Not superb gaming, but plenty good enough to satisfy most RTS and Dune fans.
    All this publication's reviews
  15. Electric Playground
    75
    Problems aside, the game is still a joy to behold.
  16. GameSpy
    75
    Overall I enjoyed the game, though the campaign is a bit lackluster and the game doesn't offer anything new to the RTS scene.
  17. Gamezilla!
    72
    For those looking to move beyond standard RTS gameplay, this is not the place to look. While E: BD has no glaring problems, it also has no standout features to separate it from every other RTS game out there.
  18. Yahoo!
    50
    Good points aside, E:BD is a tired game based on a limited concept that was beaten to death in 1998.
  19. All Game Guide
    50
    Easily playable but just as easily forgettable.
  20. Adrenaline Vault
    50
    This is not a bad game, but Westwood's real-time strategy titles are beginning to suffer the curse of Lara Croft -- they're getting old. There's nothing new here except for the gorgeous visuals.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best PC Game of 2001
41
#41 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001
32
#32 Most Shared PC Game of 2001

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 76 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 95
  3. Negative: 5 out of 95
  1. M_Alex
    Mar 26, 2011
    10
    I consider this one to be THE RTS game. Apart from the fact that the story and cutscenes are very nice, particularly for a person, who's a fanI consider this one to be THE RTS game. Apart from the fact that the story and cutscenes are very nice, particularly for a person, who's a fan of the Dune universe, the gameplay experience is top-notch. The unit balance is fantastic, particularly due to the fact that it allows for differenc strategies (for example you never attack the Harkonnen with infantry units, while it is perfectly possible to win a mid-game level only with selected infantry and air support against another house). This does not mean that you just have to rush the enemy base with a massive army, as this issue has also been very well balanced out. Moreover, Emperor has some additional elements, that are not that common, as the possibility of choosing allies, which gives you some pretty good unique units later on.
    The sound is very good, and the music is good enough for me to own a soundtrack. It is true that the graphics aged a bit, but that's not a problem with such top quality gameplay as this title offers.    … Full Review »
  2. Beonid
    Jan 8, 2011
    10
    Still great fun after almost a decade. The graphics are a little dated now, but still perfectly acceptable. Gameplay is amazing - the balanceStill great fun after almost a decade. The graphics are a little dated now, but still perfectly acceptable. Gameplay is amazing - the balance between the three factions is perfect - an example to all other RTS games. I still listen to the soundtrack while doing other stuff, because it's so good.… Full Review »
  3. ErraticCommunist
    Feb 7, 2008
    10
    A severely underrated game way ahead of its time... only now people start to realize how truly great Emperor was.
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