SAND LAND

Sand Land manages the tough task of translating an enjoyable story without overdoing the open-world mechanics in the process. It’s rough in places but is a respectful adaptation of Toriyama’s work and a pleasant experience throughout.

82%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

optimization, grinding

89% User Score Based on 2,756 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 48 reviews

Platforms

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About

"SAND LAND" is a deluxe edition action-RPG set in a desert world suffering from water shortage, based on the manga by Akira Toriyama. Play as Fiend Prince Beelzebub, leading a team of misfits on a quest to find the Legendary Spring. Overcome various dangers and challenges, using tactics and imagination to navigate through this unique desert world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+12

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,156 reviews

story264 positive mentions

optimization22 negative mentions

Sand Land offers a solid experience with a nice plot and engaging loot and upgrade system.
The controls are surprisingly tight for an anime-licensed game, avoiding the floaty feel that often plagues similar titles.
Tank combat is a highlight, especially when you pull off some satisfying cannon sniping.

Side quests can feel repetitive, and the dialogue often repeats, which can be annoying.
The melee combat is basic and not as engaging as the vehicular combat.
The game can feel easy, even on hard mode, lacking a real challenge.

story
806 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The story of "Sand Land" is generally well-received, praised for its engaging narrative and charming characters, which reflect Akira Toriyama's signature style. While the main plot is straightforward and enjoyable, many players find the side quests repetitive and lacking depth, often feeling like filler rather than meaningful content. Overall, the game offers a fun and light-hearted experience, though some critiques highlight pacing issues and a tendency for the story to become less compelling in its latter stages.
- “Fantastic story, wonderfully realized and written characters, a plot that just keeps expanding further and further across Sandland and beyond.”
- “The story itself feels like Toriyama's own spin on Mad Max, blending post-apocalyptic grit with his signature charm.”
- “Sand Land does an impressive job of creating a vibrant open-world experience filled with diverse characters, environments, enemies, and customizations all wrapped in a captivating well-written story, making it one of the most outstanding anime games that I have ever played.”
- “The story was also nothing to write home about.”
- “At this point in the game, the story also really doesn't do it for me anymore; I skipped through everything because I found it so boring.”
- “This whole sequence of events was so off-putting yet asinine it just about killed any interest I had in seeing the story through to the conclusion.”
gameplay
269 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
55%
7%
The gameplay of "Sand Land" is characterized by enjoyable vehicular combat and customization, which many players find engaging, especially in the context of its charming story and visuals. However, it suffers from repetitiveness and a lack of depth in mechanics, with some players noting that the on-foot combat feels simplistic and uninspired. While the game offers a fun experience, particularly for fans of the source material, it may not satisfy those seeking challenging or innovative gameplay.
- “The gameplay is centered around vehicular combat, where you battle using an array of customizable rides found throughout the world.”
- “The vehicular gameplay is especially dynamic and smooth, underlined by a pretty well implemented customization and progression system.”
- “Driving and customizing the range of creative vehicles is always a treat, whilst the compelling vehicular combat mechanics ensure there’s plenty of depth and strategy found in-battle.”
- “No challenge, no secrets, no platforming, no puzzles, no real mechanics to engage with.”
- “The gameplay loop remains easy and repetitive, as enemies never adapt and always aim for your last given position.”
- “The style is really cool, but the gameplay is terribly dull and repetitive.”
graphics
199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and faithful representation of Akira Toriyama's iconic art style, blending cel-shading with vibrant environments that enhance the overall aesthetic experience. Players appreciate the charming character designs and immersive world, although some have noted minor performance issues, particularly with certain graphics settings. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and engaging, making the game a treat for fans of the manga and newcomers alike.
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the story is charming, the gameplay feels nice enough.”
- “The visuals are simply stunning, perfectly capturing the essence of Toriyama's iconic style.”
- “This game's visuals and design are amazing, with a good story and good gameplay.”
- “The artwork seems to be a little different, but I don't know if it is because of the models or cell shading; it just seems a bit off.”
- “All in all, this just feels like forcing yourself to walk in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot with a much tackier, dumbed-down Mad Max kind of aesthetic.”
- “As an open-world adventure game, however, it is both conventional in gameplay and repetitive in design, resulting in a good-looking, great-sounding but overly simplistic adventure that nails the charm and aesthetic, but not the excitement and dynamism.”
optimization
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
42%
33%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering, particularly during shader loading and asset transitions. While some users report smoother performance when switching to DirectX 11, others note that the stuttering can severely impact gameplay, especially in critical moments. Overall, while the visuals and gameplay are praised, the need for optimization patches is a common concern among players.
- “While running Sand Land on max settings at 2560 x 1440, the game ran buttery smooth the entire time with very few minor graphical or performance issues to report.”
- “I'm really impressed by the smooth graphics, highly optimized, very easy vehicular and manual combat controls.”
- “Performance is solid, haven't had a single frame drop, the vehicle combat is a blast, the writing is jovial but not to the point of being plain cheesy, the characters are fun and their interactions are enjoyable even if they do tend to talk often.”
- “This game needs a lot of work...stuttering issues, bad save/load points, looooooooong drawn out unnecessary dialogue,...no thanks...refunded.”
- “This game is really good but it's really poorly optimized with stutters 24/7.”
- “The stuttering seems to almost exclusively happen at moments when you need to dodge something, preventing you from being able to do so.”
music
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
38%
10%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its captivating and nostalgic qualities, while others find it repetitive and unremarkable. Many players appreciate standout tracks that enhance the atmosphere during gameplay, but some express disappointment over the lack of variety and memorable themes. Overall, while the soundtrack has its moments, it often fails to leave a lasting impression.
- “The OST is superb, with standout tracks that set the tone perfectly.”
- “The OST brilliantly captures the shifting tones and moods, whether during intense battles, while exploring ruins, or simply wandering the vast desert.”
- “Beautiful world, incredible music, and everything else I had hoped for in spades!”
- “While the music in the game is captivating and fits every situation perfectly, harmoniously blending in levels of nostalgia for fans of Toriyama’s works, the general audio is pretty repetitive and monotonous for the most part, recycling most of the sounds for the entire game.”
- “I think there is one single music track that I remember hearing in my entire playtime, so I hope you enjoy it.”
- “I would have loved a more Japanese-inspired trumpet and violin ensemble like the original Dragon Ball score; the music in Sand Lands is serviceable, but nothing will stay with you after playing.”
grinding
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players finding the material farming and crafting processes frustratingly unengaging. Exploration is hampered by a lack of complexity in dungeon layouts and puzzles, while the dialogue and stealth sections contribute to an overall sense of monotony. Although some players appreciate the game's story and visuals, the grind often detracts from the enjoyment, making completionist runs feel particularly burdensome.
- “I have a very high tolerance for the open world genre, but this is easily one of the most tedious and least interesting games I've played in recent memory.”
- “Getting 100% requires tedious collection and extreme repetition (arena - fighting each boss battle at least 4 times minimum).”
- “To go with the material grind and upgrading vehicles, I constantly felt material starved to the point where I was having to go out and farm enemies for materials to upgrade stuff; at the end of the day, I really only kept 3 vehicles updated and the rest more or less sat due to my personal impatience with farming materials.”
humor
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its lighthearted and whimsical nature, reminiscent of Akira Toriyama's signature style. Players appreciate the comedic dialogue, quirky character interactions, and the protagonist's amusing attempts to portray himself as evil while helping others, creating a warm and entertaining experience. Overall, the game is described as a fun and relaxing escape, filled with charming humor that appeals to fans of Toriyama's work.
- “Such a funny and chill game with a nice and warm storyline.”
- “Our protagonist constantly trying to convince people and demons that he is evil despite helping everyone who needs help struck me as being particularly funny and heartwarming.”
- “Vehicle combat and customization are highlights, but the real standout is how the game captures not just Akira Toriyama's art style, but also the spirit and humor of the manga and its characters.”
emotional
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its exceptional voice acting, vibrant animation, and a heartwarming yet bittersweet narrative that resonates deeply with players. Many reviewers express a strong emotional attachment to the characters and story, describing the experience as both relaxing and uplifting, often evoking tears of joy and sadness. The game's ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments, alongside a nostalgic connection to its creator, enhances its overall emotional depth and makes it a memorable experience.
- “The characters are brought to life through exceptional voice acting and vibrant animation, making every cutscene a visual and emotional treat.”
- “That wholesome, beautiful kind of ending that gives you pure joy and sadness all wrapped up into a warm fuzzy blanket.”
- “With an extraordinary art style, touching story, and interesting gameplay loop, Sand Land ended up really hitting home with me.”
character development
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
33%
13%
The character development in the game is heavily influenced by Akira Toriyama's iconic designs, resulting in unique and visually distinctive characters that resonate with fans of the manga. Reviewers praise the imaginative character and vehicle designs, which contribute to an authentic anime aesthetic and enhance the overall gameplay experience. While the character development is noted as engaging, it is often overshadowed by the standout art style and humor, making it a memorable tribute to Toriyama's legacy.
- “The game keeps the iconic character design from Toriyama, which makes each character very distinctive.”
- “The graphics, specifically the character design and rendering, are great. Akira Toriyama's style is in every part of the game, and I don't believe I've played a game that looked so authentic to the manga and the new 3D Sand Land anime.”
- “I looooove Toriyama's character design and vehicle design, but that's all that drew me to this game.”
- “With Beelzebub leading the charge, this game promises a haven of juicy content and vibrant character development amidst the dry, vacant desert setting.”
- “The visual style and character design is straight up from anime and manga adaptation that welcomes you from the first opening scene.”
stability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game generally runs well on the Steam Deck, achieving around 40-50 fps with occasional dips, but users report significant bugs and stability issues at specific points, particularly with vehicle mechanics. While the PC version is noted for its polish and lack of glitches, the overall experience is marred by inconsistent performance and buggy gameplay elements, leading some players to question the value at its price point.
- “I played through most of it on Steam Deck and it runs great there, most of the time hitting 40 fps with some dips to 30 fps (on medium/high settings).”
- “Game runs great and looks fantastic; gameplay is a lot better than I expected.”
- “Game runs great on Steam Deck, around 50 fps.”
- “$60 for something this buggy, I cannot recommend.”
- “There's also multiple, although not many, side scrolling, stealth, and platforming sections that are at best buggy and at worst half-assed implementations.”
- “Motorcycle and buggy cannot make jumps you're intended to make with them; they fall short.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
89%
11%
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its immersive qualities, with beautiful graphics and sound design that enhance the experience, particularly in its post-apocalyptic setting. While some users note that the music can be hit or miss—sometimes dull or underwhelming—others highlight standout tracks that elevate key moments. Overall, the atmosphere is described as charming and well-balanced, effectively capturing the essence of its source material.
- “The game is really pretty, it runs really well, and the atmosphere is really nice.”
- “Every clang of metal and gust of wind adds to the game's immersive atmosphere.”
- “With standout tracks that elevate serene and adrenaline-pumping moments, it significantly enriches the game's post-apocalyptic atmosphere and emotional depth.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game has been noted for its stylish presentation and engaging gameplay, contributing to a high replayability factor for some players. However, others feel it lacks significant replay value, describing it as a one-time experience. Overall, opinions on replayability are mixed, with some finding it rewarding and others seeing it as limited.
- “Dripping with style, tons of replayability, excellent story, satisfying gameplay.”
- “I cannot see much replay value; it's very one and done for me.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users appreciating the nostalgic marketing approach that reflects genuine developer passion, while others criticize it for questionable practices and inconsistencies in gameplay elements.
- “Questionable monetization, some annoying combat bugs, inconsistent vehicle control customization options, wildly inconsistent polish throughout, grating dialogue.”