PC Gamer US July issue: How you dune?

PC Gamer US issue
(Image credit: Future)

Dune. It's a foundational word in PC gaming, one that not only defined the modern RTS, but continues to echo throughout the medium. From Warhammer 40,000 to the grand player-driven space operas of Stellaris, PC games have a lot to owe to Frank Herbert's spicy little planet.

This month, we're battling over the savage sands of Arrakis in Dune: Spice Wars – and chatting to the developers about how they're working to create a real-time 4X that embodies the grand sci-fi battles, scheming politics, and, well, giant sand worms of the classic novel. We've also taken a look back at a game Spice Wars walks in the footsteps of: the iconic Dune 2, a game that defined the RTS genre as we know it today. 

We've also delved deep into Overwatch 2, getting the lowdown from Blizzard developers on how they see the new changes, and going hands-on to find out for ourselves whether it feels like a full-fledged sequel, or an update in disguise. Is a switch from 6v6 to 5v5, new heroes, and reworked abilities enough to make the shooter feel fresh again, or is there more work to be done? Join us as we find out.

Over in our hardware pages, we've investigated whether expensive peripherals really do get in-game results. Will a costly mouse, monitor, and keyboard really push you up the scoreboard? The answer is… complicated.

All that, plus new info on Bethesda's 'Skyrim in space', Starfield; our review of the game that combines XCOM combat with the world of Warhammer 40,000; the secrets of gaming on the lowest settings; the time travelling point-and-click cleverness of Old Skies; and much more.

The latest issue of PC Gamer is on shelves now, and available on all your digital devices from the App Store and Zinio. You can also order directly from Magazines Direct or purchase a subscription to save yourself some cash, receive monthly deliveries, and nab snazzy subscriber-exclusive covers.

Tracer overwatch on a two-page spread

(Image credit: Future)

This month:

  • Dune 2 defined the RTS as we know it. Can Dune: Sands of Arrakis do the same for 4X strategy?
  • Does Overwatch 2 justify its sequel status? Tyler C and Morgan both dip in with conflicting impressions on the controversial hero shooter.
  • XCOM meets Warhammer in our review of Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Demonhunter.
  • Reviews of the month's biggest games, including Rogue Legacy 2, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, Teardown.
  • A look into the difficult – and surprisingly vital – task of developing games for low-spec machines.
  • Plus much, much more!
Natalie Clayton
Features Producer

20 years ago, Nat played Jet Set Radio Future for the first time, and she's not stopped thinking about games since. Joining PC Gamer in 2020, she comes from three years of freelance reporting at Rock Paper Shotgun, Waypoint, VG247 and more. Embedded in the European indie scene and a part-time game developer herself, Nat is always looking for a new curiosity to scream about—whether it's the next best indie darling, or simply someone modding a Scotmid into Black Mesa. She also unofficially appears in Apex Legends under the pseudonym Horizon.

Read more
PC Gamer magazine inZOI issue 407
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: inZOI
The Blood of Dawnwalker issue of PC Gamer magazine
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: The Blood of Dawnwalker
Sid Meier's Civilization 7 magazine assets
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: Sid Meier's Civilization 7
Dune Awakening
Dune Awakening's latest trailer offers a glimpse of its massive coriolis storms, which reshape swathes of the map each week for 'infinite exploration'
A CHOAM mercenary has his shield penetrated by a player wielding a slow blade.
After 7 hours, Dune: Awakening might be the mix of survival and RPG that finally wins me over to the genre
A desert planet with people on vehicles
Dune: Awakening says no to David Lynch and Sting in his underwear: 'The vision for the IP right now is the Villeneuve vision'
Latest in Gaming Industry
Geralt, two swords on his back, in the wilderness
2011 was an amazing comeback year for PC gaming
Assassin's Creed meets PUBG
Ubisoft is reportedly talking to Tencent about creating a new business entity to manage Assassin's Creed and other big games
Possibility Space concept art.
Possibility Space owners sue NetEase for $900 million over allegations it spread 'false and defamatory rumors' of fraud at the studio that ultimately forced it to close
Valve soldier man on a pc.
2024 was Steam's 'best year ever' of users buying newly released games—but I wouldn't celebrate the end of the forever game era just yet
Money money money.
Valve tracked 1.7 million Steam users who joined in 2023 to see if they stuck around—they did, and they spent $93 million
Gabe Newell in a Valve promotional video, on a yacht.
Go ahead and complain the discounts aren't as steep as they used to be, but Steam just had its biggest year ever for seasonal sales
Latest in News
Man facing camera
The Day Before studio reportedly sues Russian website for calling infamous disaster-game a 'scam'
Will Poulter holding a CD ROM
'What are most games about? Killing': Black Mirror Season 7 includes a follow-up to 2018 interactive film Bandersnatch
Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers
Sony, which is making a Helldivers 2 movie, is also making a new Starship Troopers movie, but it's not based on the Starship Troopers movie we already have
Assassin's Creed meets PUBG
Ubisoft is reportedly talking to Tencent about creating a new business entity to manage Assassin's Creed and other big games
Resident Evil Village - Lady Dimitrescu
'It really truly changed my life in every possible way': Lady Dimitrescu actor says her Resident Evil Village role was just as transformative for her as it was for roughly half the internet in 2021
Storm trooper hero
Another live service shooter is getting shut down, this time before it even launched on Steam