The second week of January on Steam saw a rather quiet release schedule, perhaps thanks to the post-holiday slump. While the survival-crafting title 'Starrupture' grabbed some attention during its Early Access launch and the high-difficulty RPG 'Pathologic 3' finally hit the shelves, one title in particular has caught our eye: 'DuneCrawl', an online co-op action game.

DuneCrawl, as the name suggests, is a top-down action game that has you trekking across deserts atop giant crustaceans. You start off in a quaint desert village inhabited by the 'Poloi'. However, peace is short-lived as the village is blindsided by a brutal raid from the 'Kiln Crawler'. It falls to the local 'Crab keeper' and their allies to step up and save the day.

After skirmishing with Kiln Crawlers and reaching the docks, you'll encounter a massive crab—and the gang firing cannons from its back. By grabbing cannons scattered around the village to destroy the giant pillars controlling the beast, you can seize the giant crab for yourself. And just like that, the Crab keeper has a new ride. This is where the real meat of DuneCrawl begins: roaming the sandy wastes, gathering loot, and fending off enemies.

The combat is refreshingly straightforward. You’ll be wielding swords, shields, guns, and bows, aiming and swinging at anything that moves. A well-timed block with your shield or a cheeky dodge is about as complex as the ground combat gets. While there are environmental interactions like explosive plants or healing sap, it’s not exactly rocket science. That said, the enemies share your gear and movesets, making the difficulty surprisingly punchy.

To spice things up, you’ve got a variety of insects to ride. Early on, you’ll find a mid-sized beetle that fits two players. These mounts have their own health bars, and if they go down, you’ll need to toss some sap their way to revive them. You can use ranged weapons while mounted, though be warned: the movement has a heavy sense of inertia, which makes for a chaotic, if entertaining, ride.

The real star of the show—those giant, cannon-toting crabs—are a more complex beast. You need someone at the helm to steer, while others man the two mounted cannons. Loading these cannons isn't a one-man job, either; you have to physically grab cannonballs and load them before taking a shot. If you're playing solo, the AI takes over these roles, but let’s be honest: they lack the quick wit and agility of a human partner.

Each of the eight legs on your crab has its own health pool. Take a hit from an enemy cannon, and you’ll see those legs shatter. You can patch them up with bug sap, but that limits your mobility. There is an energy shield to deflect shots, but it’s narrow, so dodging is still your best bet. You can even use scavenged materials to slap some armor onto your crab's legs.

Exploring the desert, hoarding materials, upgrading your crab, and tinkering with your personal gear is the core loop here. Occasionally, villagers will throw some side quests your way—usually involving gathering specific items or raiding enemy camps to smash their pillars. There's even a bit of a narrative arc that culminates in sieging massive crab-castles in the late game.

DuneCrawl currently holds a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam (77% positive). Players are praising its unique aesthetic, with comments like, "It’s like exploring bandit forts and dungeons," "It’s incredibly fun and explosive with friends," and "I’m hooked on the cute graphics and sound design."

On the flip side, some players have pointed out bugs, awkward auto-saves, and the harsh reality of solo play. It is significantly harder and less fun alone. Plus, when you get hit by a cannon, the physics engine can go haywire, occasionally launching characters into geometry or causing bugs. Of course, when playing with friends, these physics glitches often turn into comedy gold, so bringing a crew is highly recommended.