My Time at Sandrock

Take a break from alien invasions and warfare and help rebuild a post-apocalyptic town.

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"My Time at Sandrock" is a sandbox life simulation game where you play as a Builder in the desert-bound town of Sandrock. Gather resources, craft and build, form relationships, and uncover the town's stones and stories in this immersive and engaging experience. Navigate through various challenges and make Sandrock your new home.

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Play Modes

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 14,910 reviews

story2,124 positive mentions

grinding1,766 negative mentions

story
7,166 mentions
30 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story in "My Time at Sandrock" is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and humor, with many players noting that it surpasses its predecessor, "My Time at Portia." The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns, allowing for a rich exploration of the town and its inhabitants, while the pacing generally allows players to progress at their own speed. However, some players have expressed frustration with pacing issues, time-gated quests, and bugs that can hinder story progression, but overall, the game is seen as a compelling and immersive experience that keeps players invested for many hours.
- “What really makes the game stand out is that almost every day (in-game days) there is some kind of story event, either for the main story or a side event for one of the many characters you meet in the game.”
- “The story is complex and immersive, and the game has the perfect mix of building and fighting.”
- “The story is engaging and downright hilarious at times.”
- “The main story is far too long (50-60 hours).”
- “The story can be dragging as you have to wait a day or so at times.”
- “The main story quests take too long to unlock, with repetitive early assignments like transporting packages.”
gameplay
2,012 mentions
33 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "My Time at Sandrock" builds upon its predecessor, "My Time at Portia," with numerous quality-of-life improvements and new mechanics, such as water management and enhanced crafting systems. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay loop that combines resource gathering, crafting, and relationship building, although some find the combat simplistic and the day/night cycle frustrating. Overall, the game offers a charming and addictive experience, with a rich story and lovable characters, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.
- “It's funny and clever in its writing, the characters are lovable (or hateable in the case of some), and the gameplay loop is fun and interesting.”
- “I'm at around 180 hours of gameplay and I don't even think I've hit the halfway mark in terms of story content, and the devs are constantly adding more.”
- “The attention to detail in every aspect of gameplay is impressive, making each quest and interaction meaningful.”
- “On the gameplay side, there aren't really that many new mechanics since Portia.”
- “The only thing I dislike is that the combat (it has RPG mechanics and combat like Rune Factory) is dreadfully boring and way too easy - it feels like an afterthought.”
- “The gameplay in the beginning can feel restricted and slow, and you have to rush to meet your daily goals.”
grinding
1,798 mentions
0 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "My Time at Sandrock" has received mixed feedback from players. While some find the resource gathering and crafting mechanics engaging and rewarding, others describe the gameplay as excessively grindy and tedious, particularly in the early stages where managing water and materials can feel overwhelming. Overall, the game balances its focus on building and crafting with farming elements, but players should be prepared for a significant amount of grinding, especially if they aim to complete all quests and achieve high levels of character relationships.
- “Well actually, not farming so much -- it's more about building your workshop and the yard with machinery up, and, of course, getting stronger and better as you level up.”
- “The crafting in this game is similar to My Time at Portia but with a lot more variety and new challenges/constraints to deal with, making it pretty fun and not too grindy as equipment is upgraded.”
- “The town is so lively and feels so alive, as well as the questing being fun and not too grindy.”
- “Great game, voice acting sometimes not syncing with subtitles, grindy af especially if you aim for platinum run, most of the minigames would make you wanna uninstall the game, story progressing slow like 100 years old turtle.”
- “Very grindy..very grindy game.”
- “The game suffers from terrible walking animations, camera tuning, ui clutter, sooooo many items (literally hundreds of crafting materials), everything is a time sink (10+ minutes to craft basic stuff), decorating is clunky as hell, farming boring on top of useless, etc. etc. etc. i could go on and on with the list but i wont....everything just sucks.”
graphics
1,508 mentions
37 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics in "My Time at Sandrock" have received significant praise for their vibrant and charming art style, which many players find to be a substantial improvement over its predecessor, "My Time at Portia." While the visuals are generally described as beautiful and engaging, some users have reported issues with graphical glitches, pop-ins, and performance optimization, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the game is noted for its appealing aesthetics and immersive environments, though some players express disappointment over recent graphical downgrades related to console porting.
- “The graphics are incredible, the storylines are very easy to follow and become consumed by, the NPCs are better than real people, and there's so much gameplay to be had here.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the characters are interesting and colorful, the city is lovable and I simply love the difference in the art of building from Portia to Sandrock, because of the lack of trees (it is a desert, after all!)”
- “The graphics are amazing, the story is great, there is a million and a half things to do.”
- “Its graphical pop-ins are frequent and annoying.”
- “There's a distinctive lack of graphical optimization in the later parts of the game.”
- “They downgraded the graphics to be at the same level of a potato basically for the console switch, the previously beautiful game now looks like soulless clay and lost near 90% of details and charm.”
humor
444 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "My Time at Sandrock" is widely praised for its clever writing, memorable characters, and engaging dialogue, often leading to genuine laughter from players. Many reviews highlight the effective voice acting and the mix of witty, absurd, and sometimes cringey moments that enhance the overall experience. Characters like Cooper and Unsuur stand out for their comedic contributions, while the game's lighthearted tone and humorous quests keep players entertained throughout their journey.
- “It's funny and clever in its writing, the characters are lovable (or hateable in the case of some), and the gameplay loop is fun and interesting.”
- “The humor in this game is perfect, fits well and I just love it.”
- “The amount of times this game has had me laughing to tears is remarkable, and it's kept me in for longer than any other farming/building game has ever done before.”
- “The humor is kind of cringey at times, but that is what makes it so great!”
stability
370 mentions
9 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that while it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, it is still plagued by various bugs and glitches. Most users report minor issues that do not significantly hinder gameplay, but some have encountered more serious problems, particularly in late-game content and during specific quests. Overall, while the game shows promise and is enjoyable, it remains a work in progress with ongoing stability concerns typical of early access titles.
- “The game runs great, very smooth animations and I love the voice acting and cut scenes.”
- “For me, it's been bug free; for an early access game, that alone is impressive and I'm very much looking to see where the story goes from here; well done dev team.”
- “It's so polished for early access; it's not bug free but far better than many other games at launch, and this is still early access!”
- “For starters, Sandrock was released in an inexcusably buggy state (even the superfan beta testers told them it wasn't anywhere near ready), and months later, it's still riddled with major bugs.”
- “I was really hoping the 1.0 release would fix this but the game is just such an incredibly broken mess; it's fun but I've spent about as much time troubleshooting crashes in main story quests as I have actually playing it.”
- “This game is buggy, can get laggy especially near the end, needs much better optimization, and has some real pacing issues with the first half being action-packed and the back half being kind of draggy.”
optimization
330 mentions
19 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The optimization of "My Time at Sandrock" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems and during late-game scenarios. While some users report improvements and smooth gameplay on high-end PCs and the Steam Deck, others express frustration over bugs, long loading times, and inconsistent frame rates. Overall, while there are signs of progress, the game still requires further optimization and polish to meet player expectations.
- “The voice acting, storytelling, gameplay, and optimization of mechanics were outstanding.”
- “This game is very well optimized on the Steam Deck and alternating between PC and Steam Deck play has never been easier.”
- “The movement and action in the game feels smooth, performance issues are nearly nonexistent since full release, and the few bugs I have encountered are not even close to game breaking.”
- “This game is buggy, can get laggy especially near the end, needs much better optimization, and has some real pacing issues with the first half being action packed and the back half being kind of draggy.”
- “The reason for my negative review is the optimization for this game is absolutely horrendous, and I know it's not just me with these issues.”
- “I'm hesitant to recommend this game since it's so poorly optimized.”
music
292 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, often described as beautiful and evocative of old cowboy western films. However, many players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, leading some to turn it off in favor of their own music. Overall, while the music enhances the game's charm and community feel, its lack of variety has been a common critique.
- “The soundtrack deserves high praise of its own — catchy tunes that stick with you long after you've turned the game off.”
- “The music is amazing, the sense of community is way more real in this one, the side/friendship/romance missions are all amazing.”
- “The soundtrack complements the atmosphere wonderfully, enhancing the game's immersion.”
- “The bad: the music is repetitive.”
- “90%+ quests are chores and grindings, the below average soundtrack makes it a lot worse.”
- “Con: I find the music to be a bit dull and repetitive.”
emotional
208 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "My Time at Sandrock" is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling, engaging character development, and a blend of humor and genuine moments that resonate deeply with players. Many reviewers noted that the game evokes a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears, particularly through its well-crafted romances and side quests that feel meaningful and impactful. Overall, players found the experience to be both heartwarming and immersive, making it a standout in the cozy simulation genre.
- “The storyline's are so good, the sandrockers are just amazing and I don't think I've been this emotionally invested in a game since FFXIV Endwalker, which when I hear a certain song I still burst into tears over.”
- “I cried, laughed, and cheered all the way through the game.”
- “The game expertly weaves individual storylines into the overall narrative, creating an emotionally resonant experience that left me emotionally invested in the outcome.”
character development
160 mentions
39 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received widespread acclaim, with players praising the depth and detail of both main and side characters, which enhances emotional investment in the story. The character designs are noted for their improvement over previous titles, featuring unique personalities and engaging interactions that make the world feel alive. However, some players feel that certain romanceable characters lack sufficient development, indicating room for further enhancement in this area.
- “The layers of detail that went into the main story, side stories, and individual character development was a joy.”
- “Absolutely amazing and fun game with excellent story and character development.”
- “The character development is top notch, the world is vast, and there is never a shortage of stuff to do.”
- “You will be stuck at certain stages of machine/character development for much longer than others, and the narrative climax occurs when the main story is about two-thirds done, after which it continues meandering for another 40 hours or so.”
- “- some of the romanceable NPCs don't really have much character development or story missions, decreasing their interesting aspect.”
- “Characters and character development are all fairly solid, but in all honesty could use some work.”
atmosphere
90 mentions
73 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charm and immersion, featuring memorable characters, a captivating soundtrack reminiscent of classic westerns, and a cozy, engaging environment. Players appreciate the lively NPC interactions and the beautifully designed settings that enhance the overall experience, despite some technical issues. Overall, the atmosphere is described as relaxing and inviting, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “The soundtrack complements the atmosphere wonderfully, enhancing the game's immersion.”
- “The graphics and sound design create an immersive atmosphere, contributing to a relaxing gaming experience.”
- “Same bad voice acting, same bad lighting and atmosphere, same ugly animals, same janky animations (jumping is particularly horrible), same clunky menus, exact same workshop layout, awkward cutscenes... what has been worked on?”
- “I like the sand and water mechanics, I think having those put in really add to the atmosphere of hardship that the people of this town have to face, but I didn't find the mechanics cumbersome; it really wasn't that difficult to make sure I had water.”
- “The game's atmosphere and characters pull you into the world.”
replayability
72 mentions
36 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its extensive content and engaging story that can provide over 100 hours of gameplay, while others note a lack of significant choices that limit replay value. Many enjoy the immersive characters and multiplayer aspects, which enhance the experience, but some feel that the game doesn't offer enough variation for multiple playthroughs. Overall, it seems to have solid replayability for those who appreciate its narrative and gameplay, but it may not satisfy players seeking diverse outcomes.
- “I've never gotten the after-game blues until this game, lol, and I can already tell this is a game I'll always have an active save for because the replayability is off the charts.”
- “This game has the most immersive storytelling for a farming game that I've ever played, it's also got a fantastic set of characters, almost all of whom I'm invested in, and it's got brilliant replayability, and the multiplayer is fun to boot.”
- “Extensive and long-lasting content - My Time at Sandrock offers extensive and long-lasting content, providing high replayability value.”
- “The only downside - if it is a downside really - is the same as Portia's: not much replayability, as opposed to true sandbox games like Stardew Valley or Valheim.”
- “A second playthrough would be exactly the same experience, so absolutely no replay value.”
- “This makes the game not really replayable as there is not much impact on the game based on how you handle the relationships.”
monetization
44 mentions
7 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of "My Time at Sandrock" has drawn significant criticism, with players labeling it a cash grab due to excessive microtransactions and paid DLCs that include features many feel should have been part of the base game. In-game advertisements, including links to external products and requests for reviews, further detract from the experience, leading some users to seek refunds over misleading marketing. While there are hopes for quality DLC and additional content, the current approach has left a negative impression on the community.
- “Here's hoping no stupid microtransactions will appear (such as loot boxes, benefits, extra experience packs... don't do a Fallout 76 here if you don't want to utterly destroy your goodwill), but paid DLCs and additional single-player and multiplayer content would be easily applied and welcomed here.”
- “This multiplayer news coincides with the announcement of their new 'Project Me', which is apparently a My Time game for the phone on a smaller scale loaded with microtransactions.”
- “Sandrock already has too many 'optional' microtransactions for such an expensive game, and they're introducing new paid 'add-on feature' monster taming pet DLC that reeks of mechanics that should have been in the game to begin with.”
- “Sandrock already has too many 'optional' microtransactions for such an expensive game, and they're introducing new paid 'add-on feature' monster taming pet DLC that reeks of mechanics that should have been in the game to begin with, and of course has absolutely nothing to do with aping the success of recent games like Palworld.”
- “Game is good, but I keep running into real-world advertisements all over the place in the game, advertising their YouTube channel, their store on Amazon, advertising leaving a Steam review, etc. Well, it worked, here is your review.”
- “Currently it looks like a cash grab and adds a tarnish to this shining treasure.”