Dune Strider

About

Dune Strider is a single player action game. It was developed by Dust Bunnies and was released on June 21, 2022. It received neutral reviews from players.

Dune Strider is an Adventure-Strategy Game in which you, the player, take command of a merchant controlling a Sand-Barge in a desert and use it to travel and explore the land around you. The road to settlements to sell your goods is filled with dangers and opportunities.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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57%

Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews

graphics5 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game has a unique concept of trading and exploration in a desert setting, which is intriguing and has potential.
The visuals and sound design are generally well-received, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for players.
It's free to play, making it accessible for anyone interested in trying it out.

The lack of a save function is a major drawback, forcing players to restart the game upon quitting or getting stuck.
Gameplay can be frustrating due to bugs, awkward controls, and the potential to get stuck on terrain, leading to a loss of progress.
The game feels unfinished and repetitive, with limited enemy variety and no clear objectives or quests.

graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The graphics in the game are generally considered acceptable but not exceptional, with some players noting that while the visuals are pleasant and complemented by good sound design, they fall short of top-tier standards. Additionally, the graphics may contribute to discomfort for some players, impacting their overall experience. Overall, while the visuals are a positive aspect, they are not enough to elevate the game without strong gameplay to match.
- “The visuals and the sound design are fantastic, and the controls are super satisfying.”
- “Driving across the sand feels nice and the aesthetic is very pleasant.”
- “I like the combat, music, visuals, and general idea of the game.”
- “The graphics in this game are passable, but could be better.”
- “Acceptable graphics.”
- “Sadly, in my case, I get sick while playing the game, and no matter what I change in the graphics settings, I still have the problem of getting too sick before reaching any save point.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The music in the game is generally appreciated for its quality, with some users noting that the single track is pleasant and complements the visuals. However, the repetitive nature of the soundtrack leads to a sense of monotony, which detracts from the overall experience and motivation to continue playing.
- “I like the combat, music, visuals, and general idea of the game.”
- “The game looks amazing and the soundtrack (the one track it has) is very nice.”
- “The soundtrack feels nice but gets boring after a few minutes.”
- “The repeating soundtrack consists of one song played with one instrument.”
- “I can see what the game is trying to do, but I didn't feel motivated to continue; the bland music did not help this.”
- “The soundtrack feels nice initially, but it gets boring after a few minutes.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game's story is criticized for its lack of resolution, as defeating the final boss leads to no completion or credits, leaving players feeling unfulfilled. Additionally, the absence of a save feature and unclear objectives detracts from player investment, while minor glitches and poor character design further undermine the narrative experience. Overall, the promised quests are largely absent, leading to disappointment among players.
- “I haven't explored the story that seems to be there...”
- “The lack of a save feature, or a means to find objectives beyond the primary quest makes it hard to feel invested.”
- “When you defeat the final boss worm (which will sometimes cheat out of the arena where you can't shoot him), nothing happens: no quest complete, no credits, or proper ending.”
- “The lack of a save feature, or a means to find objectives beyond the primary quest, makes it hard to feel invested.”
- “There are no quests despite the game talking about them in the description.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The gameplay is hindered by unresponsive controls, which detracts from the otherwise enjoyable mechanics and atmosphere, particularly when sailing a ship in a desert setting. While the game has potential, it fails to deliver a top-tier experience that matches its visuals.
- “The atmosphere is nice, the game mechanics are easily understood, and sailing a ship around in a desert would be a lot of fun if the controls were more responsive.”
- “Game (or me while playing it) currently just begs for wind to become a robust mechanic.”
- “The gameplay currently feels incomplete and lacks depth.”
- “The game, or me while playing it, currently just begs for wind to become a robust mechanic.”
- “The mechanics are clunky and often lead to frustrating experiences.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game somewhat tedious, particularly due to the lack of a save function, which can lead to frustration after investing time in upgrades. However, the combat and the game's ending provide a rewarding challenge that enhances the overall experience.
- “I just wish there was a save function. I know there isn't a huge amount of content, but if you need to step away after grinding all of the upgrades, it's a bit frustrating.”
- “Although the exploring can be a bit tedious at times, the combat and especially the ending of the game creates a fun challenge and tests your understanding of your own abilities.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its appeal, with enjoyable mechanics and the unique concept of sailing a ship in a desert. However, some players feel that the experience is hindered by unresponsive controls.
- “The atmosphere is nice, the game mechanics are easily understood, and sailing a ship around in a desert would be a lot of fun if the controls were more responsive.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's stability is marred by minor glitches, including issues with character models and a critical bug preventing mission completion due to a malfunctioning boss. Additionally, there are notable oversights in the game's economy, indicating a need for further polish.
- “My critiques are obvious - minor glitches here and there, the polygonal characters in dialogue should probably be swapped out for clip art.”
- “The worm boss at the end doesn't die properly, so the mission can't be completed.”
- “There are some oversights on the economy.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the emotional satisfaction derived from the gathering and trading mechanics, which provide a sense of reward and accomplishment for their efforts in the game.