Dune Awakening's first paid DLC adds the funkiest vehicle I've ever seen

Like the planet Arrakis itself, Dune is a story ripe for mining. The number of stories you can tell in Frank Herbert's incredibly rich universe are immeasurable, and I'm glad Dune Awakening is allowing players to create their own, emergent narratives on the desert planet. The game had a mixed reception at launch, one that developer Funcom is keen to repair with the release of a free update and paid DLC story, which are both available now.

The Dune Awakening Lost Harvest DLC brings a whole new storyline to the MMO. Explore the wreck of a downed spaceship, venture to the deep tunnels and safehouses beneath the planet's arid surface, and take to battle with new armor and weapon skins galore.

The DLC also adds the Treadwheel vehicle to the game, which is far easier to describe with pictures than it is with words. Honestly, I'd just watch the trailer above rather than read me rambling about a bi-wheeled bike with massive tires either side of a small cockpit. Another player can hop on the back to shoot, too.

Lost Harvest arrives alongside a free Chapter 2 update, which brings yet more story, customization options, and those oh-so-important Deep Desert improvements. Stop assassins, search bloodlines, and sneak through libraries on your quest, but make sure to stop off at the hairdresser's place and the tattoo parlor en route, as new customization options are in abundance.

If the combination of DLC and free update wasn't enough to draw you in, Dune: Awakening also has a free weekend running from Thursday, September 11 until Monday, September 15. I wish my weekends were that long. Additionally, Dune Awakening will be available for its lowest price ever, as Funcom offers a 20% discount from the start of the free weekend until Monday, September 22.

The Dune Awakening Lost Harvest DLC costs $12.99 / £10.99 and is available now. You can buy it on Steam here.

If this has got you itching for more, try some of the best survival games for size. Make sure you've got the best gaming monitor, too, so you can make out every grain of sand on Arrakis.

Will you be heading back to harvest some spice? Let us know in our community Discord server, where readers and staff chat all things gaming. Don't worry, you don't have to pass the Gom Jabbar to get in.