Akira Toriyama, the legendary mind behind Dragon Ball, crafted another captivating universe: Sand Land. Bandai Namco has brought this world to life in a new video game, offering players a chance to explore its unique landscapes and engage with its quirky characters. Does the game live up to the legacy of its creator? Let’s delve into the sandy depths and find out.
A World of Sand and Demons
Sand Land paints a picture of a world where humans and demons coexist, bound together by a shared struggle for survival in a desolate, water-scarce environment. Players take control of Beelzebub, the mischievous son of Lucifer, who embarks on a quest to alleviate his boredom and discover a legendary hidden water source. Accompanying him are Sheriff Rao, a determined human lawman, Ann, a resilient mechanic, and Thief, a cunning demon with a penchant for disguises. This unlikely quartet traverses the vast desert, encountering a diverse cast of characters, from fellow travelers to menacing adversaries, including humans, demons, dinosaurs, and other fantastical creatures.
Capturing Toriyama’s Artistic Vision
One of Sand Land‘s greatest strengths lies in its stunning visuals, faithfully capturing the distinctive art style of Akira Toriyama. The vast desert landscapes are beautifully rendered, encouraging exploration and discovery. With over one hundred hours of potential gameplay, including side quests, resource gathering, and bounty hunting, the game provides a rich and immersive experience. The character designs, true to Toriyama’s signature style, exude personality, making each interaction memorable. From the smallest desert dweller to the largest boss, each character is brimming with charm and detail. The boss battles, in particular, are visually impressive and offer exciting challenges.
Humor and Heart in the Desert
The game’s humor, another hallmark of Toriyama’s work, shines through in witty dialogue and absurd situations. Thief’s insistence on wearing a Santa Claus costume while committing petty theft, or Beelzebub’s naive approach to fighting evil simply because he believes no one should be more evil than himself, provide moments of genuine amusement. While the dialogue may not always be profound, the characters are undeniably engaging and add a layer of lightheartedness to the adventure.
Traversing the Sandy Landscape in Style
Sand Land offers a variety of vehicles for players to navigate the vast desert, including tanks, motorcycles, leaping robots, and mech suits. The ability to seamlessly switch between these vehicles adds a dynamic element to both exploration and combat. Furthermore, the game provides extensive customization options, allowing players to personalize their vehicles’ aesthetics and weaponry. This feature adds a layer of personal expression and encourages creative experimentation.
Where the Game Falls Short
Unfortunately, the game’s combat system falters when players are on foot. Beelzebub’s hand-to-hand combat options feel limited and repetitive, often devolving into button-mashing. The inability to control Rao and Thief directly feels like a missed opportunity, as it could have added depth and variety to the combat encounters. While character upgrades are available, many feel superficial and don’t significantly enhance the gameplay experience. While stealth missions offer some variation, the overall combat lacks depth, especially outside of vehicular combat.
Another drawback is the repetitive dialogue. While the initial interactions are entertaining, the characters frequently recycle lines, which can become grating over time. This repetition detracts from the immersion and highlights the game’s limitations.
A Worthy Journey, But Not Without Flaws
Sand Land is a visually stunning and expansive game that captures the spirit of Akira Toriyama’s work. However, its repetitive dialogue and lackluster on-foot combat hold it back from reaching its full potential. Despite these shortcomings, the game offers a unique and engaging experience for fans of Toriyama’s work and those seeking a vast and charming open-world adventure.
Conclusion
Sand Land offers a captivating journey through a unique and beautifully realized world. While the repetitive dialogue and limited on-foot combat are noticeable drawbacks, the game’s stunning visuals, charming characters, and expansive world make it a worthwhile experience for fans of Akira Toriyama and open-world adventures.
Sand Land is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
