Dune Keepers

4.5 / 5

38,110 plays

strategy

Game Information

Developer: SZ Games

Rating:

4.5/5

Released: April 2024

Last Updated: June 2025

Technology: HTML5 (Unity WebGL)

Platform: Browser

Size: ~15 MB

Plays: 38,110

Mobile Support: No

About Dune Keepers

Immerse yourself in the windswept world of "Dune Keepers," an indie city builder and tower defense masterpiece crafted for the Brackeys Jam 2024.2. In a hostile desert where only the resilient survive, you’ll build, fortify, and strategize, preparing your settlement for relentless nightly storms. Designed in under a week by passionate indie developers, Dune Keepers delivers gripping challenge, addictive replayability, and painterly visuals that set it apart from ordinary browser games.

Your days are precious and numbered: every sunrise is a countdown to chaos. Build and expand your dusty outpost, manage limited resources, and decide which defenses to prioritize. Will you reinforce your walls, invest in advanced towers, or bolster your resource production to gain a crucial edge? The calm daylight hours offer a brief respite – but as dusk descends, roaring sandstorms and vicious threats test your planning and adaptability.

Dune Keepers innovates by blending serene city-building mechanics with pulse-pounding tower defense action. The Unity-powered engine brings smooth, tactile gameplay and responsive controls, while Procreate and Photoshop artistry breathe life into every windswept house and craggy wall. A moody soundtrack, crafted in Ableton and enhanced by atmospheric soundscapes, amplifies the tension and the triumph of each hard-fought day.

Whether you’re a strategy veteran or spiking your adrenaline for the first time, Dune Keepers rewards risk, creativity, and quick thinking. Its medium difficulty curve keeps you engaged, challenging you to adapt and optimize with every passing storm. No downloads, no paywalls—just pure, browser-based strategy excitement, free for all at itch.io. Rally your inner tactician, face the calm before the storm, and write your legacy into the dunes—play Dune Keepers today!

How to Play

To conquer the desert in Dune Keepers, first dive into city management each day. Start by placing buildings to gather crucial resources: food for survival, wood for construction, and stone for sturdy defenses. Use your mouse or trackpad to select building spots and manage your limited space wisely.

Plan ahead—each structure serves a purpose. Situate resource buildings near deposits for efficiency, and focus on developing your defense towers at choke points. As daylight wanes, shift your focus from expansion to fortification: upgrade your walls, reinforce towers, and allocate resources for repairs.

Nightfall heralds the sandstorm—a relentless onslaught of enemies masked within the chaos. Towers will auto-attack, but you must stay vigilant: repair structures in real-time, adapt your strategy if defenses fall, and invest in upgrades to tip the scales. Survival demands balance: expand too fast and you may lack defense, play too safe and resources will run dry.

There’s no mobile support, so dive in on desktop for the best experience. Keep an eye on enemy paths and anticipate future threats. Each morning, reassess and optimize—each day is a reset with escalating stakes. Embrace creative city layouts and smart tower placements to outlast the dunes!

Controls

mouse

keyboard

Tips & Tricks

Prioritize resource upgrades early for sustained growth.
Build extra walls near expected attack routes to delay enemies.
Invest in a mix of fast and heavy-hitting tower types for versatility.
Don’t neglect repair actions during storms—split resources between offence and maintenance.
Use resource surpluses to pre-upgrade structures before nightfall.
Pay attention to enemy patterns and adapt your city layout accordingly.
A compact design reduces repair costs and increases defense efficiency.

Game Features

Day/Night cycle blending strategic planning with real-time defense.
Hand-crafted indie artwork inspired by classic strategy games.
Intuitive browser gameplay—no downloads needed, jump in instantly.
Dynamic challenge curve with escalating storms and enemies.
Gameplay depth: hybrid of city building and tower defense mechanics.
Original, atmospheric soundtrack amplifies immersion.
Resource management that rewards smart risk-taking and adaptation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dune Keepers free to play?

Yes! Dune Keepers is completely free—no registration or payment required. Just visit on your desktop browser and start playing instantly.

Can I play Dune Keepers on mobile devices?

Currently, Dune Keepers is not mobile compatible. For the best experience, play on your PC or laptop’s web browser.

How do I survive the nightly storms?

Prepare during the day by upgrading defenses, repairing damaged structures, and strategically placing towers along known enemy routes. Balance resource gathering with defense investments to withstand increasingly tougher storms.

What sets Dune Keepers apart from other browser strategy games?

Dune Keepers stands out with its day/night cycle, hybrid city-building and tower defense mechanics, unique indie art style, and the constant pressure of escalating threats. Every playthrough feels fresh and challenging.

Are there any hidden features or easter eggs?

Yes! Attentive players may spot visual easter eggs in the overworld art, and there are subtle gameplay bonuses for creative city layouts—experiment to discover all the surprises hiding in the dunes.