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"Never judge a book by its cover," an old saying goes. I would like to add to this saying: "Never judge a game by the first couple of hours" too, because Sand Land is a perfect example of this testament: the game that, at first, might seem like just one more boring action-RPG, seen too many times, but as you immerse yourself in the game further, you begin to see the quality of the content this unique game has to offer.
The game is set within the familiar realm of Sand Land, derived from the manga series of the same name by Akira Toriyama, the celebrated creator renowned for the widely acclaimed Dragon Ball series.
Given the substantial fanbase eagerly awaiting its release, this game faced the challenge of demonstrating its ability to match the beloved cartoon series. It needed to prove whether it could successfully transition the familiar world into the realm of gaming or risk being another failed adaptation. What is the final outcome? Read in our review.
Story
In the initial stages of the game, the story unfolds rather gradually, seeming somewhat lacklustre and failing to ignite significant curiosity in the player, but believe me, it's far from that. Throughout the first few hours, the game introduces us to the storyline and adeptly acquaints us with the characters, who are undoubtedly familiar to fans. However, for individuals like myself who are less versed in the realm of manga, it all feels refreshingly new. The game effortlessly presents a high-quality experience, quickly immersing players in its intricately crafted world with minimal effort.
The focal point of the narrative revolves around Beelzebub, the protagonist and the son of Lucifer, the demon king. They reside in Sand Land, a region plagued by a water scarcity resulting from a conflict between two kingdoms that ravaged a once-thriving realm where prosperity once reigned.
In this realm, demons typically maintain a distance from humans, preferring not to intertwine with them. However, due to the escalating water scarcity, they are compelled to increasingly resort to pilfering water from military convoys to ensure their survival. These actions draw the attention of the local sheriff, Rio, who seeks the assistance of Beelzebub and his companions in locating the enigmatic spring and resolving the water crisis once and for all.
Embarking on a mission to prevent the world from descending into inevitable destruction, a team comprising two demons, a local sheriff, and a later-joining mysterious girl initiates the start of an epic adventure.
Naturally, given its roots in a cartoon, one shouldn't anticipate an excessively intricate narrative. Nevertheless, the multitude of plot twists, character connections, diverse conspiracies, discoveries, and myriad other elements collectively contribute to making this story exceptionally engaging.
A standout aspect of this narrative lies in its impeccably developed characters, a testament to both the cartoon origins and the stellar voice-acting performances. Each character exhibits finely nuanced traits, allowing for easy identification and immersion into the story.
I've never felt such intense hatred for a main villain in any game before. Every action, decision, and appearance on screen filled me with such annoyance that I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to confront him. This sentiment extends to numerous other villains and even certain secondary characters. The meticulous attention to detail in character development truly succeeds in evoking genuine emotions from players.
One notable drawback of this narrative is its excessive length, particularly for a game of this genre. Spanning approximately 25 to 30 hours, the storyline feels unduly prolonged.
As I reached the climax of the game and vanquished the main villain, I anticipated the classic happy ending and expected the credits to roll. However, to my utter surprise, there was no roll of credits. Instead, a post-mission cutscene unfolded, teasing a potential sequel in the manner of classic stories. Yet, contrary to expectations, it continued the story within the confines of the current game.
Just when you believe you've reached the conclusion—which, in my opinion, felt realistic and fitting—the story unexpectedly carries on, whisking you away to an entirely new area brimming with additional content.
Towards the very end of the game, it seemed to unnecessarily prolong itself, reaching a point where I grew bored and eagerly anticipated its conclusion. The tasks assigned felt tedious—ranging from destroying enemy bases to traversing between kingdoms—incorporating numerous irrelevant elements that induced fatigue and disinterest. While some may appreciate this approach, I found it superfluous and ultimately detracted from my overall enjoyment of an otherwise excellent story.
Another aspect of the story that greatly impressed me is its nuanced portrayal of good and evil. Traditionally, demons like Lucifer, his son Beelzebub, and his daughter Lilith are depicted as villains, while angels are seen as positive characters. However, this game offers a completely different perspective. It challenges these stereotypes, presenting a narrative where the lines between good and evil are blurred. While this might not be surprising for fans of the series, it was quite challenging for me to reconcile at first.
Throughout the game, you'll witness Beelzebub's struggle to assert his supposed evil nature, while in truth, he possesses a genuinely good and uncorrupted soul. Conversely, others exploit their perceived righteousness to justify committing heinous acts in the name of "good." It's a portrayal that uncomfortably mirrors our world today. This narrative imbues the story with a unique and somewhat controversial connotation, but it undeniably resonates deeply, especially for those who can read between the lines.
Gameplay
Primarily, Sand Land is an action-adventure game, despite the official description categorising it as an action-RPG. However, in all honesty, there are few elements within the game that truly align with the RPG genre.
Regarding gameplay, the game can be segmented into two distinct parts: the on-foot aspect, which falls short in certain aspects, and the vehicular combat gameplay, which is truly exceptional and merits praise. Allow me to elaborate on each aspect sequentially.
The main character is controlled from a classic third-person perspective, with Beelzebub using only his fists regardless of the weapons wielded by opponents. The gameplay and movement are notably fast-paced, yet this frenetic pace detracts from the overall combat experience, leaving much to be desired.
The combat system includes familiar elements such as lock-on, light and heavy attacks, special moves, and dodging. Despite this, the overall fighting experience feels lacking and somewhat off. Fortunately, for the majority of the game, you have the option to engage in combat using vehicles, which offers a much more enjoyable experience. However, there are instances where on-foot battles are unavoidable, and unfortunately, they fall short in terms of enjoyment.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of this game is the vehicular combat, along with everything related to vehicles in general. Sand Land boasts an expansive, open world where freedom of movement is key. Given the vastness of the maps, navigating them without a vehicle would be impractical.
The initial vehicle you acquire in the game is none other than a tank. That's right, tank combat forms the foundation of gameplay in Sand Land, and I must admit, it is executed superbly.
Tanks are relatively compact and boast excellent manoeuvrability. Each vehicle, including tanks, is equipped with two weapons: a primary and a secondary, which you can switch between during battles. For instance, you use cannons to take down other vehicles and machine guns to deal with infantry, creating a dynamic blend of tactics in combat. The primary challenge lies in mastering the timing of reloads and selecting the appropriate weapons for different situations.
All weapons and vehicles are customisable, allowing for upgrades both on the field and in designated garages. You can upgrade vehicles using materials, which can be acquired by exploring the world, purchasing them, or crafting them from specific vendors within the game.
As you progress through the game, various situations will arise that require the use of different vehicles to advance. For example, you may encounter obstacles that require the use of a Jump-Bot, a specialised robot capable of jumping, to traverse certain areas of the map and proceed with the story. In addition to tanks and jump-bots, there are motorcycles, cars, combat-bots, hovercrafts, and other optional vehicles, each possessing unique attributes and fulfilling specific roles.
Since the game lacks intricate puzzles, you will occasionally encounter obstacles that require the strategic use of available vehicles to overcome. This aspect becomes particularly prominent in certain designated areas of the map, akin to dungeons, where you must navigate challenges by using your vehicle combinations effectively.
While optional dungeons exist, mandatory ones are integral to the main storyline, featuring special warships. In these sections, the necessity of vehicle combinations is particularly emphasised. However, this aspect can become somewhat burdensome over time, especially in the later stages of the game when numerous vehicles are required.
For example, the game may prompt you to jump to a higher elevation, requiring the use of a jump-bot. Following this, you may encounter a regular door that requires exiting the bot. Subsequently, if the next area is submerged in water, switching to the hovercraft becomes imperative. Moreover, activating batteries may require deploying the combat bot. Each transition between vehicles and actions, accompanied by unique animations, can quickly become monotonous and fatiguing.
Setting aside these minor grievances, the combat and overall gameplay involving vehicles are exceptionally well-executed and deserving of high praise.
Regarding additional content, the intricately crafted system of side quests deserves special mention. Apart from the main missions, players can discover side missions scattered throughout the map. However, all these side missions share a common objective: to attract as many inhabitants as possible to the town of Spino, which players are rebuilding. Through these small missions, players assist individuals in relocating to their town, evoking a sense of community reminiscent of the highly praised system in Assassin's Creed 3. The sense of belonging is nearly identical in this game.
The additional content includes tasks such as discovering treasure chests, activating radio towers, unlocking fast travel points, and raiding enemy bases. Essentially, aside from the side quests, the supplementary content is not particularly noteworthy and could have been omitted without impacting the overall experience.
One notable downside is the vastness of the maps, both the initial and subsequent ones, which, despite their size, feel rather empty and lacking in content. While this emptiness could be somewhat forgiven in the desert setting of the first part of the game, it becomes more noticeable in the second part, where lush vegetation abounds yet the environment still feels underutilised and devoid of activity.
In the end, Sand Land emerges as an immensely enjoyable game, with its standout features being the exhilarating vehicle combat and overall driving experience. These elements excel to such an extent that they overshadow any other shortcomings, making the gameplay experience truly fantastic.
Graphics, Sounds, and Performance
To start off, I must confess my fondness for desert settings in games; when executed well, it elevates a game to the pinnacle of enjoyment for me. While personal preferences are subjective, I can't deny that Sand Land captivates with its stunning art style, immersing you in a visual experience that is truly enjoyable.
Right from the beginning, the game won me over with its visuals. The central theme of the opening segments revolves around the scarcity of water, effectively conveying the sensation of heat in the desert. The incredibly lifelike desert landscapes, the swirling sand carried by the wind, and the shimmering heat on the horizon are all rendered with such realism that merely observing them evokes a sense of thirst.
The game employs the renowned cel shading technology, perfectly complementing its comic book style and enhancing the appearance of the characters and their designs, resulting in a truly wonderful aesthetic.
One noteworthy feature of the game is the dynamic transition between day and night, showcasing distinct visual changes in the desert and other locations. This graphical effect is executed with finesse, offering a visually stunning experience. Additionally, the lighting effects are particularly impressive, especially when emerging from tunnels or caves into the desert, resulting in a breathtaking scene.
Yet, there is one aspect of the graphics that falls short: the subpar textures, particularly noticeable when the game zooms in on characters during conversations. During these moments, the poor quality of textures for objects like stone or wood in the environment becomes glaringly evident. While less noticeable during gameplay, it becomes a significant drawback in such scenes.
Another aspect I find lacking in terms of graphics is the representation of vegetation in the second part of the game. This portion feels somewhat subpar compared to the desert environment; neither the grass nor the other vegetation, nor the water effects, match the same level of quality. It creates a sense of disparity, as if you're playing an entirely different game altogether.
The sound design authentically captures the essence of the cartoons. Using the same soundtrack and sound effects enhances the overall experience without any major complaints. The sounds of cannons and machine guns on vehicles are particularly well-done. For fans of Sand Land cartoons, the sensation is entirely reminiscent of the original, ensuring an immersive experience.
I must reiterate my praise for the voice acting, which is truly fantastic and directly contributes to the overall sound presentation in the game. Essentially, there are no complaints whatsoever regarding the sound presentation.
The game's performance is commendable, and playing it on PlayStation 5 provided a truly enjoyable experience, albeit with a few minor complaints worth mentioning.
The PlayStation version of the game lacks a graphic adjustment mode, with the default setting maximising resolution while maintaining a steady 60 frames per second. However, there were occasional instances of performance dips.
In more demanding battles featuring numerous tanks and combat vehicles, the FPS can noticeably drop. There were instances, such as when navigating a waterfall with a hovercraft, where the FPS dipped to an unplayable 10 or possibly even lower. While this issue may be addressed in future patches, it's important to note for the time being.
Throughout the entire game, there were no instances of crashing, which is a positive aspect of the game. Overall, the PlayStation version provides a highly enjoyable experience, and despite these minor concerns, the performance is more than satisfactory.
Conclusion
For fans of the Sand Land manga series, this game is an absolute must-play. Boasting a compelling and emotionally rich storyline filled with twists and turns, coupled with engaging gameplay—particularly involving vehicles—the game offers another unforgettable Sand Land experience.
However, even for those unfamiliar with the series, the game provides ample intrigue, serving as a captivating introduction to this fascinating world of humans and demons. With its fresh narrative and characters, including those typically portrayed as villains, now depicted in a more positive light, Sand Land offers an inviting and novel experience for all players.
When it comes to gameplay, there's plenty of enjoyment to be had, but be prepared for some frustration along the way, so it's a mixed bag. However, I can promise you loads of fun with the tank battles. If you're willing to endure a good yet sometimes dragging story, particularly towards the game's conclusion, and overlook some of the mentioned flaws, then I wholeheartedly recommend it.
The Good
Engaging gameplay, particularly with vehicles like tanks- Authentic representation of the Sand Land manga series
- Nuanced portrayal of good and evil
- Stunning visuals and art style, particularly the desert region
- Compelling voice acting
The Bad
Dragging storyline towards the end of the game- Repetitive and somewhat empty side content
- Contrasting quality between desert and vegetation environments
