I keep forgetting to add the "made in New Zealand" tag for gale force 9 games, despite them being our biggest hobby game company. Anyway, this version of Dune has a clear objective in mind, take the old Dune and make it much friendlier for a new audience. And it delivers on that quite well, and while i mention that this probably won't be a great game for fans of the original Dune, i also think that's the intent. That the game is for a totally new and different audience than the original. Which seems pretty smart to me with a new movie out.
Yep, popped into their HQ up in Auckland earlier this year, met Libby their PR person and drooled on the factory games selection. I believe GF9 used to be an American company, but was purchased by Battlefront miniatures, which is the NZ parent company
I'm a mechanics glutton so I'm definitely going to stick with the original over this one, but I'm never unhappy about easier games existing for those who want them.
I have been looking for reliable card sleeves. I have heard stories online about certain card sleeves that have torn or frayed the card along the edges. I Was wondering what brand you recommend?
I wish that there were more than four factions, which would definitely give this some additional replay-ability, but it would also require additional sets of components. Unfortunately, the merge of the Imperial + BG powers into one player in this base game doesn't make expansions feel likely.
I was leaning toward the 2019 re-release of the original. But given the steep learning curve and longer playtime when our group barely gets together anymore, and the Dune 2021 film having such a great artstyle, I may just go with this one instead. Its very visually appealing and sounds like it respects your valuable game time more than the 70s iteration.
My game group loves negotiation but HATES high rules overhead and I don't like area control but love the DUNE universe so give that, I think this is the game for us although it plays fewer people. Hmmmm...can't decide--also my game group is all women.
Could be the one for you based on that. To your last point, it's still Dune, so the characters are a bit of a sausage fest, but if that isn't an issue, should be a good fit
"A relatively simple game" - was not expecting that at all. Given the simplification (and assuming you are not a big fan of the theme) would you go cosmic encounter instead?
I honestly think Cosmic has a lot more going on with the wacky stuff that can happen from the more complex alien powers. I stand by my small world comparison, its a lot like that
There was no way this one was going to have drawings as its a movie tie in though. As i mentioned elsewhere, i personally prefer the art of the 2019 Dune though, but that was never happening for a game that is a movie related release.
@@3MBG You’re right this is obviously made to attract buyers in a toy store simply by the familiar name and characters on the box. But even so, the cards, board and player boards seem to be the thinnest possible and all those tiny troop markers that they couldn’t even be bothered to center prints on…. I would be super bummed.
Such a toss-up of a game for me. Easier to bring to the table, but with a cut to the killer diplomacy in the original. Have you tried it with 2 players? I heard that this version is supposed to make it better for those really low player counts.
Some games just shouldn't have a solo mode, and that's from a solo fan. This and the original Dune are 2 of those games. At that point, its not a solo mode, its a solo game using the same pieces, but its basically a new game.
Or if you can find a second hand copy, try Twilight Imperium Rex. It's the original Dune game set in the TI universe when FFG lost the IP to Dune. Same game, different theme/setting.
@@3MBG 2019 was the one I played, actually. I thought it was mechanically 100% identical to the old one, so that's how I've referred to it (to disambiguate from other Dune games). I'll have to look up what differences there are, but 2019 was the one that made me glad I kept Rex.
100% personal taste thing, but i prefer the cartoon art to the movie art. Which is counter to my feelings on Spartacus by the same company, where i prefer the show art to the cartoon version.
It's just come out, and i was lucky to get a copy sent from GF9 HQ in New Zealand. I suspect with the shipping issues around the world, it may take others longer to get it
I keep forgetting to add the "made in New Zealand" tag for gale force 9 games, despite them being our biggest hobby game company. Anyway, this version of Dune has a clear objective in mind, take the old Dune and make it much friendlier for a new audience. And it delivers on that quite well, and while i mention that this probably won't be a great game for fans of the original Dune, i also think that's the intent. That the game is for a totally new and different audience than the original. Which seems pretty smart to me with a new movie out.
You can pick it up here: www.miniaturemarket.com/gf9dune05.html
Wow, I had no idea that Gale Force 9 was a new zealand company! Nice :)
Yep, popped into their HQ up in Auckland earlier this year, met Libby their PR person and drooled on the factory games selection. I believe GF9 used to be an American company, but was purchased by Battlefront miniatures, which is the NZ parent company
You knocked this one out of the park. Great review!
I'm a mechanics glutton so I'm definitely going to stick with the original over this one, but I'm never unhappy about easier games existing for those who want them.
Without paying spice for full strength, the fremen are so much less fun
Great review Jarrod! Speaking of derivative, that battle wheel is so reminiscent of Scythe.
Ouch, this is a reprint. Dune came out originally in 1979. Scythe is the one borrowing from Dune
@@3MBG Oh right. So many Dune games to keep track of. Talk about milking an IP!
There's actually another streamlined version of Dune called The Dice Must Flow.
I have been looking for reliable card sleeves. I have heard stories online about certain card sleeves that have torn or frayed the card along the edges.
I Was wondering what brand you recommend?
I tend to use the Fantasy Flight Games ones. They seem fine, although i don't sleeve much these days
I wish that there were more than four factions, which would definitely give this some additional replay-ability, but it would also require additional sets of components. Unfortunately, the merge of the Imperial + BG powers into one player in this base game doesn't make expansions feel likely.
That really is the domain of the original, with its wacky extra powers and the 8 available factions.
@@3MBG I just want wacky extra powers AND the one hour play time!
LOL, We really should teach you small world
Well, Dune Part II is already in production. I'll just leave it at that.
Would you recommend this version over the original Dune if you can’t get more than 4 players to consistently play with?
Yes, while noting that its also a much simpler and faster game than the original
@@3MBG Alright, thanks for the advice and quick reply, keep up the good work!
Great breakdown
I was leaning toward the 2019 re-release of the original. But given the steep learning curve and longer playtime when our group barely gets together anymore, and the Dune 2021 film having such a great artstyle, I may just go with this one instead. Its very visually appealing and sounds like it respects your valuable game time more than the 70s iteration.
That last point is very much true. Dune original is a time sink
My game group loves negotiation but HATES high rules overhead and I don't like area control but love the DUNE universe so give that, I think this is the game for us although it plays fewer people. Hmmmm...can't decide--also my game group is all women.
Could be the one for you based on that. To your last point, it's still Dune, so the characters are a bit of a sausage fest, but if that isn't an issue, should be a good fit
"A relatively simple game" - was not expecting that at all. Given the simplification (and assuming you are not a big fan of the theme) would you go cosmic encounter instead?
I honestly think Cosmic has a lot more going on with the wacky stuff that can happen from the more complex alien powers. I stand by my small world comparison, its a lot like that
Also, Jay, go see the film.it’s brilliant ( and I’m a big fan of the book!)
Absolutely planning too, it's not out here in NZ yet for a few weeks yet
Man I wish they had put some more effort into components.
They are perfectly functional. Not everything needs to be blinged up and expensive, especially not a game you want to get into toy stores.
@@3MBG I just wish it wasn’t pictures of the characters that look like they’re ripped. A drawing would be nice, or even just better shots.
There was no way this one was going to have drawings as its a movie tie in though. As i mentioned elsewhere, i personally prefer the art of the 2019 Dune though, but that was never happening for a game that is a movie related release.
@@3MBG You’re right this is obviously made to attract buyers in a toy store simply by the familiar name and characters on the box. But even so, the cards, board and player boards seem to be the thinnest possible and all those tiny troop markers that they couldn’t even be bothered to center prints on…. I would be super bummed.
Yeah, that's all fair.
Such a toss-up of a game for me. Easier to bring to the table, but with a cut to the killer diplomacy in the original.
Have you tried it with 2 players? I heard that this version is supposed to make it better for those really low player counts.
Not at 2 player, no. But based on a quick scan of the rules, that game would go very very fast
Too bad doesn't have a solo mode, but I can't see how it would be done
Some games just shouldn't have a solo mode, and that's from a solo fan. This and the original Dune are 2 of those games. At that point, its not a solo mode, its a solo game using the same pieces, but its basically a new game.
I literally just bought the other version. I would have rather bought this one
Doh, sorry i didn't get this out a smidge earlier.
Or if you can find a second hand copy, try Twilight Imperium Rex. It's the original Dune game set in the TI universe when FFG lost the IP to Dune. Same game, different theme/setting.
Rex is much much closer mechanically to the 2019 Dune than this one. I had Rex, sold it when the 2019 Dune came out.
I played Rex first, loved it, then played old Dune, and hated it. It's close to the same game with small but very impactful differences.
@@twentysides Have you tried the 2019 dune? I takes a lot of the lessons learned from Rex
I'd love to get a copy of Rex. I actually prefer the TI world over Dune.
@@3MBG 2019 was the one I played, actually. I thought it was mechanically 100% identical to the old one, so that's how I've referred to it (to disambiguate from other Dune games). I'll have to look up what differences there are, but 2019 was the one that made me glad I kept Rex.
CHOAM!!
Coming soon for the original game.
Which has the better artwork? The new or the old one?
100% personal taste thing, but i prefer the cartoon art to the movie art. Which is counter to my feelings on Spartacus by the same company, where i prefer the show art to the cartoon version.
Original reprinted one looked better than the movie art one.
Wait, is this just the original game, but simplified?
Basically, yeah. Its a much much shorter, streamlined express version of the game.
Why aren’t many reviewers covering this game?
It's just come out, and i was lucky to get a copy sent from GF9 HQ in New Zealand. I suspect with the shipping issues around the world, it may take others longer to get it