DuneCrawl [Review]
DuneCrawl is a unique blend of “Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time” and “The Legend of Zelda,” offering a distinct gaming experience. Unlike in Lovers, where players navigate a ship in a psychedelic black hole, DuneCrawl places players aboard a colossal Battleship Crab. Their mission is to load cannons, engage in combat with adversaries, and explore a vast desert for a peculiar religious cult. As players traverse the desert, they navigate their Crab Tank, visiting numerous islands to complete quests, explore dungeons, and collect loot from battle or from chests. Players can also find mounts and ride around on the land to get around faster. Some mounts allow for a team to ride together so the other players can use projectiles. DuneCrawl does allow for Friendly Fire to be turned off altho players can still be trampled by mounts and the Dune Crab. While the game may provide a brief sense of enjoyment, it often involves repetitive missions and unclear reasons for acquiring certain upgrades. Getting the upgrades would be fine, although the map is large and doesn’t have a lot in it. So, the globe trot can be repetitive. This issue is a common occurrence in many open-world games.
DuneCrawl almost needs players to form teams of at least three. This is crucial for effectively piloting the Battleship Crab, utilizing its shield to deflect bombs, and operating its cannons. A notable feature that many co-op games struggle with is the ability for players to do individual exploration. DuneCrawl addresses this by allowing players to maintain a significant distance from each other while providing a mechanic to warp back to the Battleship Crab. The game’s graphics and music are impressive. While it may be challenging to describe in detail, the visuals remind me a lot of a children’s book brought to life. The vibrant colors and intricate shading create a drawing-like appearance.
In terms of gameplay, DuneCrawl draws inspiration from “The Legend of Zelda” by incorporating the bow and bombs for hitting areas and solving puzzles, along with the Z Targeting and combat mechanics. The game is designed to be played with four players, although it also supports a team of six. Additional features include the ability for players to acquire masks and various costumes that enhance character abilities and provide unique stats or effects, such as an explosion when dodging. DuneCrawl offers an incredibly enjoyable gaming experience. I would love a console release!, particularly on the Nintendo Switch 2, especially considering the game’s support for six players. Currently, DuneCrawl is available for purchase on Steam.
