Dust Raiders

About

Dust Raiders is a single player strategy game. It was developed by Vixa Games and was released on July 17, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In Dust Raiders, rebuild your lost crew and vehicle from scrap to survive deadly desert expeditions filled with tactical combat. Navigate a dynamic economy by trading goods wisely while facing random events and hostile encounters. Customize your ride, complete quests, and prepare for the approaching Great Storm to reclaim control.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews

story8 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game offers a fun and addictive gameplay loop with a nostalgic post-apocalyptic vibe reminiscent of classic titles like Mad Max.
There is a solid progression and trade system that keeps players engaged, allowing for vehicle upgrades and crew management.
The atmosphere is enhanced by good graphics, a fitting soundtrack, and interesting random events that add depth to the exploration.

The game suffers from a lack of content variety, with repetitive quests and limited customization options for vehicles and crew.
Pathfinding issues and clunky controls can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially when navigating the overworld.
Combat can become tedious and lacks depth, often feeling more like a nuisance than an engaging challenge.

story
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
The game's story is generally perceived as simple and somewhat linear, with a classic revenge theme reminiscent of Mad Max, but lacks depth and variety in its quests. While players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and side events, many express a desire for a more intricate narrative and branching storylines. Overall, the story serves its purpose but could benefit from more engaging content and character development.
- “Dust Raiders is an absolute blast—equal parts gritty survival, tactical depth, and immersive storytelling.”
- “The story is decent, pretty classic revenge setup, but it’s all the little events and choices that keep things interesting.”
- “The main storyline is pretty standard, nothing groundbreaking, but the atmosphere of the random events and side stories really makes up for it.”
- “I feel like the game is giving you the illusion of an open world, but it's fairly heavily leashed by pushing the storyline, especially in the early game.”
- “The story is a little bland at the moment, and I would like to see a more in-depth storyline, or maybe a branching storyline at some point.”
- “The map is small and the story is really a bit meh; it doesn't feel worth the amount of time it takes to complete.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of real-time vehicle battles, strategic combat, and an addictive gameplay loop that encourages exploration and trading. While it features solid mechanics and a charming world, some players note a lack of depth in RPG elements and unfinished features, such as faction interactions. Overall, the game offers a fun experience but could benefit from further refinement and balance, particularly regarding fuel consumption and character progression.
- “Vehicle battles are in real time, enemies almost always outnumber you, and the road itself hides plenty of hazards – both mechanical and geographical.”
- “The gameplay loop is super addictive, each run feels fresh, and there’s always something new to discover.”
- “There is plenty of charm and solid gameplay as you roam the wastes, trade, recruit your crew, and upgrade your fleet of vehicles.”
- “From the graphics to the gameplay, it just doesn't have that feel.”
- “Some things are unfinished - there is a lack of actual faction/enclave mechanics like relations; doing quests for them never gives you benefits like discounted prices, better barter, or new inventory.”
- “It's a decent game, but there are some things I believe need work, most notably being fuel consumption. I get that it's supposed to emulate huge distances being driven between enclaves, but for gameplay reasons, I think it's overkill currently.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
10%
30%
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the atmospheric visuals and detailed character designs that enhance the wasteland setting. While many find the graphics to be good and fitting for the game's themes, others feel that they lack a certain polish, describing them as slightly rough around the edges. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the immersive experience, despite some reservations.
- “The visuals are stunning — dusty wastelands, detailed characters, and atmospheric effects that pull you right in.”
- “The graphics are very good, and I enjoy the style choice; it fits the end-of-the-world trading themes.”
- “From the graphics to the gameplay, it just doesn't have that feel.”
- “Every aspect of the game is almost there except the graphics.”
- “From the moment you drop into its harsh wasteland world, the game hooks you with its atmospheric visuals, gripping soundtrack, and surprisingly nuanced characters.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
The game's atmosphere is heavily influenced by titles like Mad Max and Fallout, featuring a gritty wasteland filled with stunning visuals and a gripping soundtrack. Players are drawn into its immersive world through detailed environments and nuanced characters, creating a tense and engaging experience that enhances the overall gameplay, despite a standard main storyline.
- “From the moment you drop into its harsh wasteland world, the game hooks you with its atmospheric visuals, gripping soundtrack, and surprisingly nuanced characters.”
- “The visuals are stunning — dusty wastelands, detailed characters, and atmospheric effects that pull you right in.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is similar to Mad Max or Fallout; it's worth buying, honestly.”
- “The game pulls you in with its gritty world and tense atmosphere.”
- “The main storyline is pretty standard, nothing groundbreaking, but the atmosphere of the random events and side stories really makes up for it.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's heavy metal soundtrack is widely praised for enhancing the post-apocalyptic atmosphere and energizing gameplay, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Reviewers note that the music complements the visuals and level design, creating an engaging and immersive environment.
- “From the moment you drop into its harsh wasteland world, the game hooks you with its atmospheric visuals, gripping soundtrack, and surprisingly nuanced characters.”
- “The level design keeps you on your toes, and the soundtrack amps up the energy perfectly.”
- “Also, props for the soundtrack, really nails the post-apocalyptic vibe!”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and unnecessary, leading to a monotonous experience. The combat becomes repetitive, as managing vehicles to avoid environmental hazards adds to the frustration. Overall, the grinding detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
- “I don't like grinding for the sake of grinding.”
- “It's just tedious and unnecessarily so.”
- “Then it becomes tedious really.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is criticized for its lack of replayability, with users noting that the world feels stale and empty, diminishing the incentive to revisit it.
- “The world feels stale and empty, offering no replayability value.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to return.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly without significant bugs, which is particularly impressive for an indie title.
- “The game runs smoothly, and I haven't encountered any significant bugs, which is a nice surprise for an indie title.”