DuneCrawl Review: A Cooperative Open World Adventure Across the Sandy Seas

Step into a boundless universe with dunecrawl, the innovative space game by Pixel Delusion and Modern Wolf.

DuneCrawl is an open world action-adventure game developed by Alientrap that blends cooperative exploration, vehicular combat, and whimsical worldbuilding into a distinctive desert-spanning experience. Set across vast sandy seas, the game places players atop a colossal Crab Crawler armed with cannons, upgrades, and personality, serving as both transport and mobile base of operations.

Players step into the role of a Crab Keeper, venturing alone or with up to three other players in local or online cooperative play. Solo players are supported by a ghostly companion, ensuring the experience remains viable without a full crew. Whether played cooperatively or alone, DuneCrawl is structured around shared tasks, emergent encounters, and exploration-driven progression.

The open world is dotted with oasis islands, secret dungeons, and quest hubs inhabited by the Polloi pilgrims. These settlements anchor the narrative backdrop of an ongoing war against the jar-headed Vassals and the invading Ceramicist forces. While story elements remain light and playful, they provide context for the constant push forward across the desert.

Combat in DuneCrawl is split between large-scale crustacean warfare and on-foot action. Crews must actively manage cannons, repair damaged legs, and coordinate movement during battles against enemy crawlers, island fortresses, and towering bosses. Boarding actions and mid-combat improvisation are encouraged, often leading to chaotic but memorable encounters.

On land, the game leans into swashbuckling action with a variety of melee weapons, tools, and environmental hazards. Players can turn local wildlife into weapons, using items like Bomb Flowers or Beehives to control crowds and overwhelm enemies. This flexible approach keeps encounters feeling dynamic rather than rigidly scripted.

Progression comes through collecting equipment such as Masks, Tunics, and Talismans, each unlocking new abilities and playstyle options. Weapons range from conventional tools to more inventive options like the Buzzooka and Acid Harpoon. The Crab Crawler itself is highly customizable, with functional upgrades like spike-armoured legs and guided torpedoes alongside cosmetic flourishes that give each crew’s crawler a distinct identity.

Beyond the signature crab traversal, DuneCrawl expands movement with bug riding mechanics. Players can mount beetles, scorpions, nymphs, and other creatures, each offering unique mobility or combat advantages. These moments break up the pacing and reinforce the game’s playful approach to its world.

Overall, DuneCrawl presents a cooperative-focused open world adventure that prioritizes shared problem-solving, mechanical variety, and exploration. Its combination of naval-style crew combat, character progression, and offbeat desert fantasy makes it stand out as a game designed to be experienced together, where coordination and experimentation are just as important as raw combat skill.