This is Niche Spotlight. In this column, we regularly introduce new games to our fans, so please leave feedback and let us know if there’s a game you want us to cover!
Today’s Niche Spotlight is Dustwind, a post-apocalyptic real-time tactics game that released from Early Access on Windows PC a few weeks ago. In many ways, the titular first game from Dustwind Studios is a spiritual successor to Fallout Tactics.
Players create their own custom squads of survivors from a huge selection of skills, abilities, weapons, and armor before setting out on missions. Just like in the classic Fallout games, you can target specific body parts to cripple enemies or deal critical hits at vulnerable spots.
Tacticaloptions range from using stealth to take out sentries from the shadows, to driving right through the front gate with a hijacked APC. Oh, and one of the character archetypes is an attack dog in a flak jacket.
There is a solo mode that includes a tactical pause feature, but Dustwind is primarily a real-time game. The main focus is online multiplayer, including co-op and three different competitive modes. The game’s replayability is further extended with a robust map and mission editor that features full Steam Workshop support. Dustwind is available on Steam for $24.99.
If you’d like to know more about Dustwind, here’s the Steam store blurb:
WELCOME TO DUSTWIND, A POST-APOCALYPTIC REAL-TIME TACTICS GAME!
The world has come to an end. Anyone still alive must fight other survivors. The time has come for you and your friends to get rekt while fighting against each other, other teams, or the Evil Computer in Cooperative or Solo modes.
Come join the CLUSTERFUN!
Make quick tactical decisions, create custom characters with interesting combinations of skills and gear, and dominate the battlefield! Play online or solo.
TACTICAL ACTION COMBAT
Sneak, aim for bodyparts, use varied weapons and ammo, trick and flank your enemies, set or disarm traps, drive and repair vehicles, and try not to blow up all of your teammates! Seriously, don´t take that bazooka into close quarters combat.
A VARIETY OF GAMEMODES
A typical game session is anywhere between 10 minutes and 1.5 hours, strongly depending on which gamemode and map you play. Large cooperative or solo maps take longer (if you don´t die), while competitive matches are usually timed at 10-20 minutes.
CREATE AND TWEAK YOUR CUSTOM CHARACTERS
No fixed classes, no pay-to-win! Experiment with various character builds without wasting your time. But you only get 10.000 points to spend on each character you make, so spend them wisely to find the coolest combination of skills and gear that suits you personally. Don´t worry though, you can re-stat or make a new char any time! Also as you gain ranks as a player, you unlock new cool items to give to your characters.
CREATE YOUR OWN MAPS AND RULESETS WITH EASE
Dustwind is meant to be played the way YOU want to play it! Stay with the default maps and rules, or create house rules with just a few clicks. Enjoy cool maps created by others, or be a mapper yourself. Our user-friendly, Steam Workshop integrated map editor allows you to leave your mark on the game by expressing your creativity and sharing your work proudly and easily with the entire community. Power to the people!
NEW Solo Play
Now you can play some maps (PvE) alone. If you want you can also create new solo maps and share them with the community or play maps from other users.
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