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.
PC
Windows
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, allowing for various playstyles and strategies.
- The map editor and community-created content provide significant replayability and creativity.
- The game lacks a meaningful single-player campaign and progression system, which may deter some players.
- There are numerous bugs and AI issues that affect gameplay, leading to frustration.
- The player base is currently very small, making it difficult to find multiplayer matches.
- story162 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for being linear, cliche, 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 leaves much to be desired. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on multiplayer and tactical gameplay rather than delivering a compelling story experience.
“If you're like me and you can use head canon to tell your story and don't need a long-term campaign from a dev studio, then this game is great.”
“There is one story with character progressing from nobody to savior of all.”
“This is a pretty good setting and a decent story.”
“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 cliche and poorly scripted.”
“There is no in-depth RPG story, there is no slow careful turn-based tactical gameplay.”
- gameplay90 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its fun mechanics and engaging core experience, reminiscent of classic titles like Fallout Tactics. However, many players report significant bugs, a lack of informative gameplay elements, and underdeveloped mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While the game offers a satisfying tactical experience, especially in single-player mode, its multiplayer aspects and performance issues have led to mixed recommendations.
“The gameplay itself is actually very fun.”
“Fabulous intuitive game mechanics and the 1990's Fallout atmosphere, which is very brutal, creates a very enjoyable, extremely violent, satisfying experience.”
“Really detailed and satisfying gameplay that is reminiscent of old-school top-down RPGs, especially Fallout Tactics.”
“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.”
- graphics36 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with some users praising the unique post-apocalyptic art style and gruesome combat visuals, while others criticize the outdated models reminiscent of games from two decades ago. The user interface is generally well-received for its clean design, but there are mentions of graphical errors and a low-budget feel. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate for the game's indie status, with a core aesthetic that appeals to fans of tactical gameplay.
“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.”
“Graphical errors + lack of information for players = no bueno.”
- humor20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players noting its unique and snarky approach that enhances the overall experience, including the tutorial. Many find the unexpected and often hilarious deaths, as well as glitch-related moments, to be entertaining, contributing to a fun and immersive atmosphere. Overall, the game's humor, combined with its engaging gameplay and active development team, makes it a standout recommendation for fans of the genre.
“It's got gore, customization, and humor, woo!”
“Overall, I'd recommend this game; it's unique and the dev has a great sense of humor and passion for their game.”
“Even the tutorial was packed with fun and humor.”
- music14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate its fitting and immersive quality, particularly during combat, others find it limited and not particularly remarkable. The main menu music has been noted as mismatched with the game's overall theme. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered good but not groundbreaking.
“I have not played enough to form a solid opinion on the music yet, but from what I've heard so far, especially 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) it's nice and fits perfectly, as it should be.”
“[*] good music... limited, but good.”
“-main menu picture and music doesn't fit with the game.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its high replayability, offering a wealth of content through community-created maps and diverse gameplay modes, including co-op missions and various PvP types. Many users consider it a great value for the price, highlighting the potential for endless enjoyment as long as the community remains engaged.
“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 give some depth and replayability.”
- stability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback, with several users noting it is quite buggy and unpolished. However, some players report that despite these issues, the game runs well overall and offers an engaging core experience.
“3 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).”
“But this game is too buggy and too unpolished in my opinion.”
“To start, the game is quite buggy.”
“Also, pretty buggy.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is heavily influenced by the brutal, post-apocalyptic vibe of the original Fallout series, characterized by intense violence and a sense of psychopathic insanity. Players appreciate the combination of intuitive game mechanics with this nostalgic yet extreme setting, making for a satisfying and tactical gaming experience.
“Fabulous intuitive game mechanics and the 1990's Fallout atmosphere create a very enjoyable, extremely violent, and satisfying experience.”
“The atmosphere is very akin to the original Fallout.”
“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, extremely violent, and satisfying experience.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the lack of grinding in the game, highlighting that it offers enjoyable PvP action without the need for tedious grinding mechanics. However, some users note that inventory management can be cumbersome. Overall, the game is praised for its streamlined experience.
“Tedious inventory management.”
“0% grinding in this game!”
“Pros: nice PvP action without grinding; if you liked FT, you'll like this.”
- character development4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably lacking, with many reviewers highlighting a complete absence of plot, writing, and intrigue. While the character design is described as balanced, it does not compensate for the overall deficiency in character depth and growth.
“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.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % 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.”
