The best devil you know!
- system: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Developer: Ilka
- release date: April 26, 2024
SAND LAND – Release Trailer
Many of you may already know this title, either from the manga or the recent animated adaptation. Regardless, its unique character designs are probably something most people will recognize. Derived from the work of the late Akira Toriyama, Sandlot caters to adventurers seeking an immersive dive into its imaginative universe, weaving a compelling story backed by engaging gameplay. Fans of the manga or anime will find themselves drawn into a familiar world with stunning detail, while fans of vehicular combat and role-playing games will find a unique blend that awaits them. However, Sandlot follows a similar pattern to other anime-themed games and has proven to be hit and miss. While new players can certainly enjoy this charming adventure, it may not resonate with every player’s tastes.
While the open world offers ample opportunities for exploration and side quests, some may find that its vastness is undermined by repetitive quests and lackluster activities. Nonetheless, Sand Land offers a ton of customization options and secondary mechanics that are sure to add a few extra hours of gameplay for even the most dedicated players.
Sand Land’s visual aesthetic masterfully captures the essence of Toriyama’s signature artistic style, bringing his vibrant characters and landscapes into a three-dimensional realm. While the desert vistas may lack visual variety, the verdant forests and waterfalls encountered midway through the main quest are mesmerizing, inviting players to explore every corner of this enchanting world. Personally, we love the vehicle design and the exuberance of this desert world, making Sand Land one of the best-looking anime games of the year so far.
It’s worth noting that the English dub features talented voice actors reprising their characters from the animated version, which is always a plus in a game like this. However, there are a few instances where the acting feels a bit forced or out of sync with the action on screen. It must be admitted that the quality of the voice acting varies from character to character and scene to scene, with certain moments shining through the uneven vocal landscape.
Customizing and upgrading vehicles allows players to customize their arsenal to suit their play style, so this is a key point in the game as each vehicle offers unique advantages and abilities, encouraging experimentation and strategy in combat think. As the game progresses, players can unlock new vehicles and obtain rare vehicle parts by defeating enemy units, further enhancing their abilities on the battlefield. For example, a fast motorcycle is a necessity for traversing quicksand, while a jumping mech will allow you to access new, higher areas. Additionally, players can paint their vehicles and use decals to customize them to their liking. You can even name your vehicle!
While combat is the backbone of Sand Land’s gameplay, the game also features an RPG progression system that rewards exploration and completing side missions. Players can upgrade their vehicle components, unlock new melee combat abilities for the Demon King, provide support for Rao and the Thieves, and recruit companions to help them rebuild the city of Spino as their central hub. There, players can interact with NPCs, buy upgrades, buy things using special coins found in the ruins, and more.
Despite its many strengths, Sandlot is not without its flaws. Some players may find parts of the open world repetitive and a lack of variety in side missions and exploration. Additionally, the game’s narrative pacing can feel unbalanced at times, with occasional dips in momentum that detract from the overall experience. By far the worst aspects of Sandlot are the handheld and linear progression, despite it being classified as an open world game. Additionally, the saying “jack of all trades, master of none” applies completely to this game, as there are mechanics that will definitely add a few hours to the game’s lifespan but may seem out of place, such as grinding resources to craft items to decorate Beelzebub’s room. All in all, despite the sometimes intrusive cutscenes and repetitive elements, Sandlot is still a fun adventure that fans of the series are sure to enjoy!
If you’re a fan of the Sand Land manga and anime, you should try this video game adaptation as soon as possible. Please make sure you are not playing the demo version of Sand Land as it does not reflect the full version.
