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Dune II may forever be remembered as the first game to workably combine the logistical challenges of strategic command with the quick-paced chaos of combat action. Unlike Virgin Interactive's original Dune, an adventure which recounted the story of Paul Atreides, Dune II is a mission-based strategy game set in the barren expanses of Frank Herbert's famous desert world. With the goal of collecting the most spice (and thus earning harvesting rights for the entire planet), players choose to lead one of three competing galactic dynasties: the mysteriously destined House Atreides, the elusive House Ordos, or the ruthless House Harkonnen. Similar technologies, structures, and units are available to all three, but to each with different balances of strength versus speed and durability versus expense.

Although the real-time nature of this strategy game presents players with a constant flow of action to command, the path to victory can be considered in three main steps. The ultimate objective is to collect spice, so a base must be built to deploy harvester units to the dangerous desert wastelands. Spice can only be harvested from sandy areas, where worms prowl, and buildings can only be constructed on rocky areas, so the layout of a base may itself pose challenges. Second, suitable defenses must be enlisted to protect these delicate harvesting operations, from both the indigenous giant sandworms and the attack forces of competing Houses. Finally, to secure victory in most later missions, competing Houses must be completely eliminated from the map, which calls on players to develop and command their own attack forces to decimate their enemies' bases. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide