The Sand Man

About

The Sand Man is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by Uri Games and was released on January 29, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "The Sandman," players navigate surreal, ever-changing dreamscapes to regain lost memories. As Evelunn, a young woman trapped in an enigmatic realm, she must solve puzzles, avoid nightmarish creatures, and unlock secrets to escape. With its distinctive art style and atmospheric soundtrack, this first-person puzzle adventure delivers a hauntingly beautiful experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 296 reviews

story76 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game features a charming and whimsical story that diverges from traditional horror, focusing more on fantasy elements and character development.
The puzzles are generally enjoyable and provide a good challenge, with multiple endings that enhance replayability.
The art style is vibrant and colorful, contributing to an engaging atmosphere that complements the narrative.

The game suffers from a lack of clear guidance, leading to frustrating moments of backtracking and confusion about what to do next.
Some puzzles are overly vague or illogical, making it difficult for players to progress without resorting to walkthroughs.
The pacing can feel uneven, with the first half being more engaging than the latter, which may leave players feeling unsatisfied.

story
226 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The story of "The Sandman" is a whimsical and fantastical exploration of a sleepless high school girl named Sophie, dealing with themes of bullying, family issues, and self-discovery. While some players find it less compelling than its predecessor, "The Crooked Man," it is praised for its likable characters, engaging plot twists, and charming narrative, despite some underdeveloped backstories and a less horror-centric tone. Overall, it offers a unique and relatable experience, particularly through its bonus content that expands on the main storyline.
- “The story is really good; like with 'The Crooked Man', we follow Sophie and see how her life sucks and how it became that way, but unlike 'The Crooked Man', we actually get to see her struggle firsthand and we are able to empathize with her better.”
- “The story flows very nicely and was a great length.”
- “Sand Man is incredibly fascinating and captivating with an interesting plot development and twists that keep you going.”
- “Some characters have interesting backstories that are not explained, leaving potential storylines underdeveloped.”
- “The story and the puzzles are the main two aspects of the game, and though it definitely does have its good moments, The Sandman overall fails at both of these aspects.”
- “What mainly disappointed me was the shift in atmosphere, story, and overall game tone.”
gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
56%
11%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the exploration and puzzle-solving elements, while others find it frustrating and repetitive, particularly due to mechanics like "checking every door." While the narrative is praised for its charm and depth, many feel that the gameplay does not match the quality of the story, with some sections being described as tedious or poorly designed. Overall, the game offers a blend of traditional RPG Maker mechanics with some unique twists, but its execution leaves room for improvement.
- “The first half of this game is fun - love the concept, love the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is good; it's generally the same as all other RPG Maker games like walking around, exploring, and solving puzzles, but there's also a stealth section as well as chaser sections, and at the end of the game, there is a boss fight which was pretty good.”
- “The gameplay is straight up fresh as your heart is left racing with life and death scenarios that are almost impossible to escape the first time through!”
- “To conclude, The Sandman has its strengths, but the core gameplay is way too frustrating to make it worthwhile.”
- “The gameplay involves wandering around Sophie’s surprisingly somnolent town in search of any other soul who might not have been impacted by an apparent outbreak of narcolepsy.”
- “Decent and wholesome story, horrible gameplay.”
graphics
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
25%
15%
The graphics in the game have received positive feedback, with many players appreciating the pixel art style and the improvements made since the previous title, "The Crooked Man." The environments and character designs are noted for their quality, and while the enhancements are described as subtle, they contribute to an overall enjoyable visual experience. Players also highlighted the effective use of cutscenes and the aesthetic appeal of various locations within the game.
- “The pixel graphics are still really good like the previous game with plenty of things to see, and the cutscene art is just as good as the previous game.”
- “Alright then, with that said, The Sandman is a good RPG Maker fantasy game and an interesting sequel in the Mysterious Man trilogy. Even though this second game isn't as scary, it's got a good bit to love about it; the story is really good, the pixel graphics are still really good, and the levels are really good.”
- “Great graphics, dope beats.”
- “The graphics are underwhelming and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
- “The character models look outdated and don't match the quality of the environments.”
- “The overall visual presentation feels inconsistent, with some areas looking great while others appear bland and poorly designed.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its quality and improvement over previous versions, while others feel it lacks memorability and appropriateness for certain scenes. Players noted that certain tracks were missing or poorly chosen for specific moments, leading to a sense of silence during gameplay. Overall, while the sound effects and some music elements are appreciated, there is a consensus that the soundtrack could be more impactful and fitting.
- “The music quality has improved; there are additional graphics added, as well as, some rooms being completely redesigned for the better.”
- “Very well done story, great art, and good music as well.”
- “Although sometimes the music in the game isn't something I would've picked (like in the happy ending, for example).”
- “I find the game to be lacking in music; you just walk silently from room to room.”
- “The very few music tracks present in the game are nothing memorable and not really fitting.”
- “Although sometimes the music in the game isn't something I would have picked (like in the happy ending, for example).”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is unexpectedly prominent, with many players finding it funnier than anticipated for a horror title. The inclusion of well-timed comedic elements, particularly through characters like the fairies, adds a lighthearted touch that complements the story's darker themes. Overall, players appreciate the blend of humor and horror, making it a unique and enjoyable experience.
- “Though the fairies are interesting and provide well-timed humor, insight, and intrigue, they never distract us from the main thrust of this story: figuring out why our girl can’t get some sleep!”
- “This game is more humorous than it is supposedly 'horror'.”
- “I very much recommend this game to those who enjoyed Mermaid Swamp and The Crooked Man games, as it has a wonderful sense of humor.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The game's atmosphere is described as varied but generally lacking in spookiness, with some players noting a shift from the previous installment's tone. While it incorporates personal stories and certain spooky elements, the prolonged silence and absence of a foreboding ambiance may leave those seeking a thrilling experience feeling disappointed. Overall, the atmosphere is seen as interesting yet inconsistent, blending fantasy with hints of horror.
- “It definitely took me aback at first with how different it was, but I quickly learned that while it doesn't have the same atmosphere (and arguably genre), it still has the personal stories and heartstrings that made the first game so special.”
- “Almost atmospheric, more fantasy than horror, but still with certain spooky elements.”
- “It is intended that every 'strange man' was to bring a different kind of atmosphere to the series.”
- “The absence of a foreboding atmosphere may disappoint those seeking a thrilling experience.”
- “What mainly disappointed me was the shift in atmosphere, story, and overall game tone.”
- “It gives some atmosphere, but it would have been better if the silence didn't last the whole game.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a heartfelt and emotional narrative that evolves from initial horror expectations to a wholesome experience, particularly rewarding players who pursue the good ending. While the story is praised for its depth and range of endings—from heartwarming to sad—some gameplay elements can be frustrating, suggesting that frequent saving is advisable. Overall, the emotional impact of the story is considered a significant strength, outweighing the gameplay shortcomings.
- “Playing through the game, I first expected it to be horror and questioned the puzzles involved, but the story became more heartfelt as I went (especially if you aim for the good ending) and left me with a pleasant feeling.”
- “It's an emotional narrative.”
- “The story is very good and the endings range from heartwarming to really sad; however, it is not perfect. Some of the scenes where you have to avoid/escape from something can be frustrating, as not all deaths are your fault. My advice to counter this is to save frequently, though I still recommend this game as its pros outweigh its cons substantially.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The character development in the game is praised for its depth and engaging design, particularly highlighting the character Sophie. Reviewers appreciate the fun character design and the overall storyline, though the game is not recommended for those seeking a horror experience.
- “I also liked the scenery, the environment of the 2-3 lands to explore, and I also liked the artwork and character development of many characters, but mainly one: Sophie.”
- “I think this is a great game with a good storyline, character development, and has depth to it.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game offers strong replayability due to multiple endings, with players noting 4 to 6 different outcomes that encourage revisiting the story. This variety enhances the overall experience and motivates players to explore different choices.
- “There are 4 endings, so the replay value is there.”
- “There are many endings (5 or 6 different endings, if I recall), giving the game replayability value.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be balanced, as many puzzles provide enjoyable challenges that are engaging without becoming excessively tedious.