You wake up one morning and—BAM!
Dunebound Tactics is announced, and the trailer drops a metric ton of gameplay straight onto your unsuspecting eyeballs!
Here’s a basic rundown of the mechanics revealed in the trailer for Terahard’s Roguelite, Turn-Based RPG.
Starting off
The Mechanic welcomes you into his shop, and since he’s quite the talkative fellow, you can ask him about the world, his life, or details about the island.
He’s even polite enough to ask about your motivations for this run. Your answer will affect the party, so take a moment to consider your response carefully.
Next, you can head to the local tavern, where new characters can be recruited—for a price.
Each recruit has their own class and unique trait, so look for synergies that complement your playstyle or round out your party composition.
You can choose to spend some of your starting Elios here—or not. The choice is yours.
Feeling ruthless? You could even turn one or more members of your crew into Elios to recruit someone more suitable. Or you could let the patrons alone, leaving them to carve their own path through the desert.
Some advanced structures teased in the trailer might require their own deep dive (spoilers, anyone?), but for now, let’s follow the Ley Lines!
Roles
Your crew can take on distinct roles aboard the Caravan, as seen on the bar to the left:
The Frontline – Faces combat and handles dangerous events head-on.
The Backline – Supports the Frontline, during combat, with skills from atop the Caravan.
The Medbay – Where the Frontline will likely end up after a fight.
You can rearrange your party while crossing the desert to best prepare for your next destination.
But Remember: your engine requires Elios to keep the Caravan moving. Run out, and you’ll be forced to make some very difficult choices.
Events
Scattered across the desert, events are marked with a three-dot icon. Each event presents a choice with varied outcomes.
Will you:
Shelter an Imperial Traitor to gain Elios?
Run them over because of their past crimes?
Or pass them by, wary of a possible ambush?
Events can grant buffs, wounds, extra Elios, new teammates, or even debuffs. The ever-shifting sands ensure that anything is possible.
Some choices require specific characters, classes, or skills to unlock alternative options. As always, it pays to come prepared.
Thanks so much for reading!
We’ll return soon with more Dunebound Tactics stories, namely the combat.
Let us know what you think—we’d love to hear from you!