I’ve always been a fan of Akira Toriyama’s art style. I was an avid fan of Dragon Ball Z growing up when it was airing and a huge Dragon Quest fan. His art style always evoked something majestic, cute, and, at times, incredibly dark. So when I saw SAND LAND, not realizing it was a manga first, I was incredibly excited to dive into its work and see what was in store for us.
SAND LAND follows Beelzebub, the prince of darkness, on his journey through the world to bring water back to the land. After Sheriff Rao comes to the demon village, suggesting that the humans and demons team up to find the rumoured legendary spring that has the ability to return water to the slowly dying world of SAND LAND. When an agreement is made to find the spring, Rao will deliver game consoles to the demons for enjoyment; Beelzebub, Rao, a fellow demon Thief, and a curious tinkerer, Ann, make way on a grand adventure that questions everything they know. Not to mention that the group has that lovable quality that ends up rallying people behind them.
The story of SAND LAND is both humorous and, at times, emotionally charged. As Beelzebub and Rao uncover truths about the oppressive empire and the world around them, it becomes evident that Rao harbours a tumultuous past. Despite being the prince of darkness, Beelzebub reveals a gentle and tender heart, albeit reluctantly. There is also a pivotal moment that initially seems to conclude the story, only to reveal the expansive nature of the world they inhabit.
“It’s a vibrant, engaging world that challenges and enchants, ensuring that every moment in SAND LAND is as memorable as it is enjoyable.”
The visual portrayal of progression in SAND LAND is effectively simple yet poignant. The transformation of a dilapidated town, initially home to merely three inhabitants, into a thriving village is heartwarming. Beelzebub’s dismissive attitude softens as the community grows, even as residents begin to recognize his underlying kindness.
From the moment you step foot into SAND LAND, you’re greeted by a breathtaking vista of endless sand dunes, ancient ruins, and deep caves. The game’s visuals are a testament to Akira Toriyama’s artistry, with vibrant colours, dynamic lighting, and detailed environments that breathe life into the desert landscape. It really pushed forward the sense of discovery as we uncover the treasures that await in the sun-scorched expanse of SAND LAND. Each section of SAND LAND is meticulously crafted, and the game’s atmosphere never fails to captivate with its sense of scale and beauty.
The day-night cycle adds another layer of depth to the experience, with sunsets casting long shadows across the dunes and starlit skies illuminating the desert night. Every moment spent in SAND LAND feels like a journey of exploration and discovery, with surprises waiting around every corner. The attention to detail in the visuals and atmosphere of SAND LAND is genuinely remarkable.
“Every moment spent in SAND LAND feels like a journey of exploration and discovery, with surprises waiting around every corner.”
At its core, SAND LAND is a sandbox adventure that encourages players to explore the vast desert landscape at their own pace. The game offers a variety of activities to engage in, from racing, building vehicles, exploring decrepit ruins, and collecting rare components. Exploration is at the heart of SAND LAND; whether you’re stumbling upon ancient ruins, stumbling across hidden oases, or encountering some of the monsters that inhabit the world, there’s always something new to uncover in the desert.
The game’s mechanics are intuitive and easy to grasp, allowing players of all skill levels to dive into the experience without feeling overwhelmed. It’s pretty easy to get a handle on vehicular combat, racing, and hand-to-hand combat, as each encounter will require some mix. While the majority of your time will be spent driving around in your vehicles, there are always reasons to disembark and travel on foot.
That being said, sometimes, especially around the middle game, long swaths of the game require you to switch between the two ways too frequently. During one section, I must have gotten on and off my vehicle roughly ten times in the span of five minutes. It was a lot.
The thing I wasn’t really expecting when it came to SAND LAND was the vast amount of vehicles. As I went into it, I was only expecting a few, maybe a tank, car, and motorcycle. But, without spoiling anything, there are over a dozen vehicle types, and each one can be levelled up, upgraded, and customized. There is a lot to love about the depth of the vehicle system in SAND LAND, which is good because it drives the game.
SAND LAND began as a very straightforward open-world game, but as I spent more time in this cartoonish desert, I discovered a fantastic showcase of Akira Toriyama’s iconic style, woven into a dynamic and immersive gameplay experience that engages from start to finish. The game leaves a lasting impression, whether it’s the intricate detail of the landscapes, the depth of the vehicle systems, or the emotional resonance of the characters’ journeys. It’s a vibrant, engaging world that challenges and enchants, ensuring that every moment in SAND LAND is as memorable as it is enjoyable.
