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Emperor: Battle for Dune

EMAIL PRINT pc

7.8 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 15 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Westwood Studios

Genre(s): Real-time strategy

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: June 14, 2001

Summary

Based on the universe created in the Frank Herbert novels and in David Lynch's 1984 movie, this long-awaited sequel to the early '90s game "Dune II" -- the granddaddy of the real-time strategy genre -- puts you in command of a military faction fighting for control of the desert planet Arrakis and its critical resources.

Cheat Codes & Hints: Adrenaline Vault Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GameSpot

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Happy Puppy

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.

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GameZone

This is an incredible program, and could well be the RTS that will push the genre into new heights of graphic design.

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ActionTrip

An extremely fun game setting new standards in 3D technology and good Westwood-like gameplay.

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Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

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.

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Gamers' Temple

Those familiar with Westwood's prior strategy games will be very familiar with the game's controls.

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Armchair Empire

The interface and environment are familiar, the locations interesting, the controls easy to learn, and the challenge good.

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GameSpot

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.

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Game Revolution

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.

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Total Video Games

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.

GamePro

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.

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Gamer's Pulse

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.

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IGN

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.

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GameSpy

Overall I enjoyed the game, though the campaign is a bit lackluster and the game doesn't offer anything new to the RTS scene.

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Electric Playground

Problems aside, the game is still a joy to behold.

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GamePower

Not superb gaming, but plenty good enough to satisfy most RTS and Dune fans.

Gamezilla!

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.

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Yahoo! Games

Good points aside, E:BD is a tired game based on a limited concept that was beaten to death in 1998.

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All Game Guide

Easily playable but just as easily forgettable.

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Adrenaline Vault

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.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Erratic Communist gave it a10:
A severely underrated game way ahead of its time... only now people start to realize how truly great Emperor was.

Trevor P. gave it an8:
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!

Macca gave it a 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.

[Anonymous] gave it a 5:
Not the greatest game I have tried.

Dave G. gave it a 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!!

Tony gave it a 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.

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Emperor: Battle for Dune

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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