Emperor: Battle for Dune

 PC
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
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  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 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 perfectlyI 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.    … Expand
  2. TrevorP.
    Jul 1, 2005
    8
    In the skermish game they should have given you the option of turning your side red. That is the only colour you can't be!
  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.
  4. 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 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.
  5. DaveG.
    Oct 18, 2001
    9
    For Fans of Dune this game offers all of the house interactions. For fans of Westwood this is a cool real time war game. For fans of both - this is a real find!!
  6. Macca
    Oct 11, 2002
    10
    Great, Great game. Each race(house) is so unequally different. e.g. if you wish to play a hit and run game and use units to their fullest potential, then play as the Ordos, but if you prefer stronger units at the cost of speed then play as the Artidus. There are so many different ways in which you can win one game. I love it due to its complexity.
  7. JoeY.
    Jan 16, 2002
    9
    This game is amazing compared to all the other Dune games. For the fans of dune series this game is must have.
  8. Aeryx
    Oct 2, 2018
    10
    I still listen to Frank Klepacki's masterwork of a soundtrack on Emperor Battle for dune to this very day. It's really awesome. The world was excellent, the gameplay, intense, the worm attacks were scary and I enjoyed choosing the Tleilaxu or Sardaukar as Allies. It was wicked to the core and I enjoyed how merciless you felt after playing the Harkonnen Campaign. The FMV cutscenes were soI still listen to Frank Klepacki's masterwork of a soundtrack on Emperor Battle for dune to this very day. It's really awesome. The world was excellent, the gameplay, intense, the worm attacks were scary and I enjoyed choosing the Tleilaxu or Sardaukar as Allies. It was wicked to the core and I enjoyed how merciless you felt after playing the Harkonnen Campaign. The FMV cutscenes were so immersive for the time. As others here have mentioned, this game is probably the most underrated Westwood game around. Unfortunately, unlike Command and Conquer, Dune would never get another sequel after this. It's such a shame, because this game earned it. EA should burn for killing off Westwood.… Expand
  9. njkk
    Nov 16, 2012
    9
    This game was more like Dune 2:the battle for arrackis then that other imposter dune 2000. I enjoyed playing Emperor:Battle for dune especially the skirmish games against computers. The only negative i have for this game was the multiplayer aspect of the game was no where near as god as some earlier games like Starcraft.
  10. [Anonymous]
    Aug 23, 2001
    5
    Not the greatest game I have tried.
  11. Tony
    Nov 10, 2001
    1
    Couldn't get it to work on my system. AMD 800 with Asus MB, Asus Video. Contacted Tech support over a week ago and haven't heard a word. Brought the game back for a refund.
  12. wishanem
    Feb 18, 2015
    7
    Emperor was a much better sequel to Dune II (the originator of most RTS mechanics) than Dune 2000 was, but still flawed. Generally I'd recommend Dune II over Emperor to people interested in the history of videogames, and Emperor to people who loved Dune II as well as the books and who are looking for another window into that world.
  13. [Anonymous]
    Aug 23, 2001
    5
    Not the greatest game I have tried.
  14. iddqd4
    Jan 21, 2018
    8
    В свое время выходила аж на четырех дисках, что тогда было совсем не мало. Сама серия перешла в полное 3D, и стала еще краше. Spice must flow!
  15. RealEnigma
    Feb 26, 2014
    10
    A very underrated game. It has fantastic balancing, an excellent story and high re-playability. I still pop this masterpiece in the driver after 10 years of playing, and I never get tired of it.

    It's truly sad that multiplayer is no longer available.
  16. EmperorSultan
    Dec 25, 2015
    10
    The good old times of DUNE. The first time I saw this game was in Red Alert 2 in extras section or something like that, It has 3 factions and the story is entertaining such a great RTS

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. Yahoo!
    50
    Good points aside, E:BD is a tired game based on a limited concept that was beaten to death in 1998.
    Read full review
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