DuneCrawl

About DuneCrawl

DuneCrawl is a co-op action RPG where you pilot a giant walking crustacean through desert environments, battling robotic Vassals and swarms of bugs. Developed by Alientrap and released January 5, 2026, it blends exploration, base-building, and combat. Set in a sand-choked world, players navigate shifting dunes, oasis ruins, and underground dungeons while aiding rebel pilgrims against a Ceramicist invasion. The game supports single-player, co-op, and multiplayer modes, letting you customize your Dune Crawler with weapons and maps. It’s a pick-up-and-play experience for teams or solo players who enjoy tactical traversal and chaotic battles on four-legged mechanical beasts.

Gameplay

You control a Dune Crawler, a hulking crab-like mech with treads, cannons, and a heat-sensitive shield. Gameplay cycles between combat and exploration: you strafe across dunes, switch to smaller weapons for close-range fights, and manage your crawler’s overheating systems. Missions include clearing bug nests, looting Vassal forts, and navigating collapsing dungeon floors. Each session feels like a mix of arcadey combat and methodical resource management, ammunition, shield charge, and map upgrades are critical. Co-op adds layers: one player might focus on offense while another handles traps or healing. The controls are responsive, but the crawler’s awkward turning radius and heat mechanics add tension. Between matches, you tweak your build or trade loot with teammates.

What Players Think

DuneCrawl has a 4.6/5 rating from 8,200 PlayPile users. 72% finish the main story, with average playtime at 28 hours. Community moods lean curious (68%) and determined (54%), but 17% call it “grindy.” Critics praise the “chaotic fun of co-op combat” (PC Gamer) and “distinctive art style” (Destructoid). However, some note repetitive resource farming. Achievement completion is 42%, with 100 total points. Players who stick with it report 73% main story completion, but 29% abandon the game before finishing side quests. The $39.99 price tag divides opinions: 61% think it’s fair, while 24% say it’s overpriced for its content.

PlayPile's Take

DuneCrawl is a solid pick for co-op fans who don’t mind a learning curve. The crawler mechanics and team-based combat shine in 2-4 player matches, but solo play feels limiting. At $39.99, it offers decent value for 20+ hours of core content, though side quests drag. If you enjoy tactical mechs, shared loot systems, and don’t mind occasional repetition, it’s worth the price. Skip it if you prefer polished single-player RPGs, this is a messy, fun experiment more than a refined classic.

Storyline

Battle against the jar-headed Vassals, survive hordes of wild bugs, explore oasis islands and delve devious dungeons all to help your fellow Polloi pilgrims win their war against the Ceramicist’s invasion!