Dustwind
- August 15, 2018
- Dustwind Studios
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"Dustwind" is a post-apocalyptic real-time tactics game featuring single-player campaign, multi-player, co-op, and PvP modes. The story campaign includes 16 missions with a playing time of around 10 hours, where you collect weapons, gear, and develop your character. With splendid gameplay and plenty of humor, tactical and clever decisions are necessary to survive in the harsh wasteland.
Reviews
- The game captures the essence of classic Fallout Tactics with its real-time tactical gameplay and character customization.
- The combat system is engaging and balanced, offering a variety of weapons and strategies to explore.
- The map editor and community support provide endless replayability and opportunities for creative gameplay.
- The game lacks a meaningful single-player campaign and progression system, which may disappoint players seeking depth.
- The player base is currently small, making it difficult to find multiplayer matches and diminishing the overall experience.
- There are several bugs and issues with AI behavior, which can detract from the gameplay experience.
- story81 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for being linear, cliché, and poorly scripted, with many players feeling it lacks depth and motivation. While some enjoy the freedom to create their own narratives through custom missions, the absence of a cohesive campaign or engaging plot detracts from the overall experience. Overall, players express a desire for a more developed story mode to enhance the game's character and immersion.
“The product as it stands requires a proper story mode, but even without it you can see and feel the massive amounts of love the team is pouring into it.”
“There are enough 'official' maps that they could be strung together to offer some kind of story.”
“If you’re looking for a story/campaign, however, then this is not what you’re looking for.”
“The story is as bare bones as it gets, and it's tough to find motivation when you don't feel like they have realized a world beyond the relatively interesting areas you're able to explore.”
“The story is cliché and poorly scripted.”
“There is no in-depth RPG story; there is no slow, careful turn-based tactical gameplay.”
- gameplay45 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its core mechanics and nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles like Fallout Tactics. While some players found the gameplay enjoyable and engaging, particularly in single-player modes, others criticized the presence of bugs, lack of depth in certain mechanics, and a sparse multiplayer experience. Overall, the game offers a solid foundation with unique mechanics, but issues such as performance hiccups and a lack of content may detract from the overall experience.
“The gameplay itself is actually very fun.”
“Fabulous intuitive game mechanics and the 1990's Fallout atmosphere create a very enjoyable, extremely violent, satisfying experience.”
“The learning curve is not too steep, and the gameplay (single player or multi) is very solid and fun.”
“Unfortunately, little did I know that this game is a horrendously bugged mess and not only that, but also barely any info gameplay has about anything.”
“I would not recommend this game if you want any enjoyment outside of about 8 - 10 hours of solo gameplay/savescumming (the game isn't actually this long, but you will die and reload entire missions from a lack of save/autosave feature).”
“Much of the mechanics, such as driving vehicles, looting, stat allocation, sneaking, and traps feel half-baked, under-implemented, and don't really seem to go anywhere.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as a mix of gritty, post-apocalyptic aesthetics with a tactical military influence, showcasing detailed and gruesome combat visuals that enhance the experience. While some users appreciate the artistic style and clean user interface, others note that the graphics can feel outdated, reminiscent of older games, and occasionally suffer from graphical errors. Overall, the visuals are considered adequate for a low-budget title, effectively capturing the intended atmosphere despite some inconsistencies.
“Graphics are gruesomely jaw-dropping fantastic when it comes to combat results with extreme gore and blood-curdling death screams as enemies are cut in half, dismembered, burned alive, sent flying into the air from minefields. It's like they are really feeling the pain.”
“Graphics for the user interface and inventory are pure cold industrial end-of-the-world eye candy, showcasing highly detailed realistic items that were just looted from a dead body.”
“A brilliant reimagining of Fallout: Tactics graphics and gameplay using a proprietary engine that's perfect for a tactical game.”
“Outdated graphics.”
“The models and graphics look like they were pulled from a game made 20 years ago.”
“The graphics so far remind me of a PSP game, though I don't know if that is intentional.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players noting its unique and often unexpected comedic moments, such as hilarious deaths and quirky glitches. The tutorial is particularly highlighted for its engaging and snarky humor, contributing to an overall fun experience. Many reviewers appreciate the developers' passion and responsiveness, which enhances the game's comedic elements.
“It's got gore, customization, and humor, woo!”
“Some hilarious deaths due to me not expecting something.”
“Even the tutorial was packed with fun and humor.”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the music in the game is generally well-received, enhancing combat situations and fitting the game's atmosphere effectively. However, some users note that the main menu music feels out of place, and while the quality is good, it may lack variety and depth.
“Honestly though, the art style, the music, the combat, etc. it's good.”
“I have not played enough to form a solid opinion on the music yet, but from what I've heard so far, along with when it is triggered during combat, I am liking it a lot as it takes situations to another level.”
“-Music (along with the name of the game itself, like one of Brian Fargo's OST from Fallout) is nice and fits perfectly, as it should be.”
“- The main menu picture and music don't fit with the game.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its high replayability, offering significant value for its price, with features that support infinite replayability through community-created content. The diverse experiences from co-op missions and various PvP modes further enhance its depth and replayability.
“I highly recommend this game at its price - it's a steal for the amount of replay value it offers.”
“As such, the game basically has infinite replayability as long as the community takes interest in it and creates new maps.”
“The varied experiences between the co-op missions and different PvP types provide depth and replayability.”
“The varied experiences between the co-op missions and different PvP types give some depth and replayability.”
- stability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting significant bugs and a lack of polish, while others have found it to run smoothly and appreciate its core concept. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely among players.
“Three hours of gameplay later, I'm not disappointed at all. The game runs great, and the core idea is amazing. In my humble opinion, it's a really needed game in the middle of this childish BR massive wave (talking about looks and mechanics).”
“Also, pretty buggy.”
“But this game is too buggy and too unpolished in my opinion.”
“To start, the game is quite buggy.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is heavily influenced by the brutal and chaotic vibe of the 1990s Fallout series, delivering a satisfying and intense experience that combines quick, tactical gameplay with a post-apocalyptic setting. Players appreciate the nostalgic yet psychopathic intensity that enhances the overall enjoyment.
“For everyone who likes quick but tactical gaming with a post-apocalyptic atmosphere.”
“Fabulous intuitive game mechanics and the 1990s Fallout atmosphere, which is very brutal and maxed up to ten trillion degrees of psychopathic insanity, creates a very enjoyable and extremely violent satisfying experience.”
“The atmosphere is very akin to the original Fallout.”
“Fabulous intuitive game mechanics and the 1990's Fallout atmosphere, which is very brutal and maxed up to ten trillion degrees of psychopathic insanity, creates a very enjoyable, extremely violent, and satisfying experience.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while some players find inventory management tedious, the game offers enjoyable PvP action without the need for grinding, with one user highlighting a complete absence of grinding in the gameplay. Overall, players who appreciated similar titles are likely to enjoy this game as well.
“Tedious inventory management.”
“Pros: nice PvP action without grinding; if you liked FT, you'll like this.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game lacks significant character development, with users noting that it may appeal to those focused on tactical battles rather than plot or writing. While character design is described as balanced, the overall depth and intrigue in character development are notably absent.
“Character design is balanced here.”
“The game can probably entertain you if you're into tactical battles and don't care about plot, writing, intrigue, and character development, because there is none of the above.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from poor optimization, characterized by questionable loading times and excessive resource demands without clear justification.
“The game is poorly optimized; loading times are questionable, and it is rather resource-hungry for no obvious reason.”
“Performance issues abound, making the game feel sluggish and unresponsive at times.”
“Despite its potential, the optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
