Recent reviews by Virtus

Having grown up on the windswept dunes of Arrakis through my trusty Amiga 500 in 1992, I’ve always carried the spirit of Dune with me. Hours spent navigating alliances, harvesting spice, and avoiding Shai-Hulud planted a deep love for Herbert’s universe. After the phenomenal recent movies and new series, my interest in Dune has been rekindled brighter than ever — so when Dune: Awakening arrived, I knew I had to dive in headfirst.

And let me tell you: it’s a spice-fueled revelation.

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From the first moment, it’s clear that Dune: Awakening is Funcom’s love letter to both survival MMO veterans and devoted Dune fans. The DNA of Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles pulses beneath the surface, but this game feels like something greater — a masterful blend that transcends its predecessors.

The moment you step onto Arrakis, you can feel the world breathe. The sense of scale, the heat shimmering off the sands, the ominous threat of sandworms lurking beneath — it all feels alive. Every supply run, every sprint between dunes becomes a strategic dance against the desert itself.

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Progression feels meaningful: establishing a sietch, battling for spice fields, and exploring imperial wrecks create a dynamic loop that echoes the struggle for survival and dominance at the heart of Dune. The tension of the Deep Desert, especially after recent updates balancing PvE and PvP zones, keeps you on your toes.

While some players lament the grind or the balance between solo and group play, to me, it feels true to the spirit of Dune — it is not a world meant to coddle you. Arrakis is harsh, unforgiving, and demands respect.

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The good?

Deep, immersive world-building that does justice to the Dune universe.

Solid survival mechanics that reward careful planning and strategic alliances.

Vehicles (those ornithopters!) that feel both powerful and fragile — a true delight.

The tension between PvP and PvE is, for the most part, thoughtfully balanced.

The great?

The sense of community — watching players build massive fortresses or daring raids feels like living inside an epic saga.

Stunning visuals and environmental storytelling that would make Frank Herbert proud.

Constant updates and a dev team that listens and iterates rapidly.

The occasional frustrations?

Bugs and stability issues, particularly when switching zones or in large PvP fights.

Clunky guild systems that could use better communication tools and markers — right now, even finding your own allies can feel like navigating a sandstorm.

Some design choices around late-game grind and resource distribution still feel rough around the edges.

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After countless hours on the Amiga, I never thought I’d see a Dune game capture the universe so faithfully and ambitiously. Dune: Awakening is, quite simply, extraordinary — a game that demands patience, grit, and passion, just like surviving the sands of Arrakis itself.

With ongoing hotfixes and new content already rolling out (like the Deep Desert updates and refined PvE zones), it’s clear Funcom is deeply committed to shaping this into an enduring epic.

I give Dune: Awakening a 9.5/10 — and I’m holding that final 0.5 in reserve for the first DLC drop. Who knows, perhaps that will be the moment we truly ascend to the ranks of the Fremen.

In the words of Muad’Dib: "He who controls the spice controls the universe." And right now, Funcom holds the spice.

11/11 Review

Few strategy games manage to capture the essence of their predecessors while modernizing the formula for a new audience. Xenonauts 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Xenonauts, not only achieves this but sets a new benchmark for tactical turn-based combat and strategic depth. Fans of the original XCOM series, especially its 1994 debut, will find themselves instantly at home in Xenonauts 2—a true love letter to the genre that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly innovative.

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Building on the success of its predecessor, Xenonauts 2 refines and expands every element that made the original game a standout spiritual successor to XCOM. The isometric squad-based combat retains its punishing difficulty, where every move could mean life or death for your soldiers.

The stakes are palpable as you carefully maneuver troops through alien-infested environments, utilizing cover, flanking tactics, and suppressive fire to gain the upper hand. The addition of improved soldier AI and expanded customization options allows for more nuanced strategies. Soldiers' unique skills, combined with advanced weaponry developed through rigorous research, create endless opportunities for tactical creativity. Yet, the tension remains high: one misstep can unravel even the most well-laid plans.

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Where Xenonauts 2 truly shines is in its strategic layer. Set in an alternate 2009 where the Cold War never ended, the game uses its historical backdrop to craft a world teetering on the brink of chaos.

The global map is a dynamic, ever-changing arena where players must juggle resource allocation, base management, and international diplomacy. The political tensions between nations mirror the alien threat, forcing players to make tough decisions that will have cascading effects on their campaign.

Expanding your covert network of bases, intercepting UFOs, and managing your soldiers’ morale are vital components of the game. Each decision carries weight, and the sense of responsibility for humanity's survival is both thrilling and overwhelming.

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As PC Gamer aptly stated, "Expect brutal combat and mounting panic as you save the world from aliens." Xenonauts 2 masterfully captures the tension and pacing that defined XCOM. The simultaneous need to fight local battles and manage the broader alien invasion creates a relentless feeling of pressure. This duality is the game’s core strength, pulling players into its web of tactical and strategic complexity.

Yet, Xenonauts 2 is more than just a clone of XCOM. It introduces quality-of-life improvements and modern mechanics that elevate the experience. From the streamlined interface to the improved visuals, every aspect of the game feels like a polished evolution of the genre. Whether you’re deploying troops or deciding on your next research project, Xenonauts 2 ensures that every moment feels engaging and meaningful.

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Xenonauts 2 doesn’t shy away from its hardcore roots. This is a game for players who relish a challenge, where victory is earned through careful planning and adaptability. The difficulty can be punishing, but the satisfaction of overcoming its hurdles is unparalleled.

As Polygon highlights, "In Xenonauts 2, there’s a constant, potent tension upheld by the dual layers of local, squad-based battles and the overarching strategy of the global map."

The Cold War setting, combined with its haunting soundtrack and detailed environments, immerses players in a world on the brink of annihilation. The aliens are genuinely menacing, and the sense of dread they bring is amplified by their growing audacity as the campaign progresses.

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Xenonauts 2 is a triumph of strategy gaming, seamlessly blending old-school charm with modern sensibilities. It stays true to its roots while introducing enough new features to keep even the most seasoned players engaged.

For fans of XCOM and tactical strategy games, this is an absolute must-play. Its brutal combat, intricate strategy, and immersive storytelling make it one of the finest entries in the genre.

I’ve lost track of how many hours I’ve poured into the original XCOM: UFO Defense or UFO : Enemy Unknown (Depending on your region). Let’s just say they aare among my all-time favorite games. I’d even leave the computer on just to listen to the iconic music—it was that special. Decades of memories, and now Xenonauts 2 is here to keep that flame burning bright!

Score: 11/11 – A masterpiece of tactical strategy and a near-perfect descendant of XCOM.

A great mix of X, Star Citizen, Eve Online all mashed into a great game, there is a lot of untapped potentiale here and I have a feeling that great things will come :)

This is a great shooter game, heavy on teamwork if you want to win, there's lots of customization and things you want to unlock, just one more game mom!!!

I really disliked the game mechanics, some of the sliders were not even working, some of the markeds that I invested in, did not update the production of goods over time, even if they ran for months, then suddenly they updated. can not reccomend this game in it's current state, I requested and received a refund.

This is a great Arma 3.5 / Pre-Arma 4, can't wait to see how BI will handle feedback, suggestions and allow modders to do their thing, bringing the whole community together until BI feel a Arma 4 release will be worthy, bear in mind that Arma 3 have been around since 12. september 2013 so nearly 9 years.

I've had some issues setting up my own server on a dedicated 24/7 server running @home, but with a little efford and help from the Arma Discord, I now have a fully functional server running Conflict where I can goto Admin / Zeus mode, spawn troops, objects and much more, can't wait for more stuff to be added to Zeus and the ability to save multiplayer missions on the fly...

I really enjoy this, does not take hours and hours to reach milestones, just setup your game, leave it for x hours and come back, find loot and setup your character for another go. Brilliant :)

This game is really good, though grinding can get a bit tedious, there is a lot of exploring and fun to be had, on low population servers and high population pvp ones.! I've set up my own server so I can control wipes and kick unwanted players if needed. Its rather simple to setup the server with Linux if you know your way around a CLI and have basic knowledge with Linux and vps environments

Being a car geek and amateur mechanic with a passion for turn based simulators, I can only recommend this game. In-depth real world events and sales mechanics or choose your own static world to pursue wealth and fame. Great Game!

Works great, you could save your money and set process cpu affinity yourself in windows task manager, this program makes is easy and simple for a small sum of money.

still using it, especially along with xsplit broadcaster to squeeze all my cpu power!