Dustrunner

Grey Gnome Games · Board game · 2023
1 · best 1 Solo 20–40 min Weight 1.8/5
9.0 rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
Buy
9.0 rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Solo racers who love card tension will dig Dustrunner, with its dusty vehicle and risk‑laden choices.

Highlights
  • Real‑time risk decisions
  • Custom vehicle building
  • Draw‑two, pick‑one mechanic
  • Cyberpunk post‑apocalyptic vibe
Keep in mind
  • 100 % solo
  • Short playtime (20‑40 min)
  • Medium complexity
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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About the game
In Dustrunner, you take on the role of an all‑terrain vehicle pilot in a post‑nuclear wasteland where every corner of the planet is shrouded in dust and danger. The goal is simple, yet challenging: reach your base before raiders, Orwellian spy‑bots, or colossal sand‑worms bring you down. The game is 100 % solo, so you don't need friends, but you will need plenty of strategy and courage to pick each move. At the start, you build your vehicle by combining component cards—engine, shield, sensors, and the like—and then add mods that fine‑tune its performance. The heart of the game revolves around a “draw two, pick one” mechanic that creates constant tension: you see two cards face‑down, choose one to reveal, and decide whether to resolve it or pass, discarding the other unseen. If the second card is an enemy, it tends to have more health, so passing on the first can be risky. You may resolve the first card and discard the second, or pass and resolve the second, but you can’t backtrack. This forced choice makes every turn a risk‑versus‑reward dilemma. The ultimate goal is simple: reach the base. If you get there, you win; if you lose all your health or are caught by raiders, you lose. Though the game is a pure win/lose, there’s an optional scoring system for those who enjoy comparing performances. Dustrunner blends the thrill of races, the tension of card play, and the adrenaline of cyber‑punk post‑apocalyptic settings. If you enjoy solo challenges, quick decisions, and a good dose of suspense, this game will keep you on the edge of every dust‑run.
Rules videos

In English

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Game details

Families

Category: Print-on-Demand Containers: Mint Tins Players: Solitaire Only Games Theme: Cyberpunk Theme: Post-Apocalyptic
Publisher Grey Gnome Games
Designer Jason Glover
Artist Jason Glover
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a game take?
Roughly 20‑40 minutes, depending on your familiarity with the risk‑choice mechanic.
How many players?
It’s a solo game, designed for one player only.
What is the difficulty level?
Medium; it requires focus on risk decisions and vehicle building.
What components are needed?
Component cards, modification cards, a grid board, and a few dice.
Who is it recommended for?
Ideal for card‑game, racing, and cyber‑punk post‑apocalyptic fans who enjoy solo challenges.
How does the “Push Your Luck” mechanic work?
You choose to resolve the first revealed card or pass and resolve the second, with outcomes that can be good or bad.
Is there an optional scoring system?
Yes, there’s a scoring system for those who want to compare performances, though the ultimate goal is simply to reach the base.