Sand Land Review

Release date: April 25, 2024

Developer: ILCA

Mode: Single-player video game

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

Publisher: BNE LLC

Engine: Unreal Engine 5

“Review Copy Provided By Bandai-Namco”

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Initially published in the year 2000 as a standalone manga, Sand Land has recently reemerged, transformed into an anime series and a video game nearly a quarter-century later. The brainchild of the legendary Akira Toriyama, renowned for his compelling storytelling and vibrant art, Sand Land begins its tale in a dystopian world. The narrative follows a daring demon prince who becomes an unlikely ally to the remnants of humanity, battling to restore their dwindling resources.

The transition from manga to both anime and video game mediums marks a significant expansion of the original story, aptly capturing the essence while adding depth and breadth to its post-apocalyptic setting. Both adaptations bear the name Sand Land and share a similar narrative arc, but it is the video game that offers a fresh perspective by introducing an expansive open-world environment. This adaptation allows players to explore the arid landscapes of Sand Land, providing a backdrop where its richly crafted characters and lore can flourish.

Players step into the shoes of Beelzebub, the aforementioned demon prince, who sheds the solitude of his demonic realm to partner with Rao, a grizzled army veteran. Their quest to unearth the 'Legendary Spring' to replenish the world’s water supplies forms the core of the game's adventure. The storytelling within the game is particularly noteworthy, featuring well-crafted cutscenes and a directorial approach that stays true to Toriyama's original vision. This fidelity ensures that even those unfamiliar with the manga can immerse themselves fully in the game's world, making Sand Land an exemplar of how to adapt manga into interactive media successfully.

The gameplay is predominantly exploration-based, with a strong emphasis on traversing the vast, barren expanse of Sand Land. Players will find themselves steering a variety of custom-built vehicles and robots across the desert. Starting with basic options like a heavily armored tank or a swift motorbike, the game encourages players to engage with its in-depth mechanical customization system. As the story progresses, players unlock more advanced machinery and enhancements, allowing for a personalized approach to both travel and combat.

The mechanical aspects of Sand Land are robust, involving strategic looting, crafting, and upgrading to stay ahead of adversaries. Although the gameplay can lean towards the repetitive, especially in the latter half of the game, the sense of progression and achievement, particularly when acquiring powerful new machines or upgrades, is palpable and rewarding.

Combat dynamics are well-integrated, with Beelzebub capable of extraordinary feats, including dispatching formidable wildlife and enemy machinery with ease. The game allows players to carry up to five different mechs during missions, enabling on-the-fly swapping through an intuitive radial menu during skirmishes. This system not only adds depth to the combat but also enhances tactical decision-making, as players select the most effective tools for each specific challenge.

While the combat is engaging, the game does encounter occasional missteps, particularly in the implementation of certain gameplay elements like stealth, which feel underdeveloped and somewhat incongruous with the protagonist’s capabilities. Nevertheless, these moments are few and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.

Spanning over 40 hours, the game's runtime is replete with content, far surpassing many other anime tie-ins in both scope and execution. Beyond the main quest, players can explore numerous fully voiced side missions and contribute to the development of Spino, a nearly abandoned town that serves as the player's base. Watching this community evolve and thrive becomes one of the most gratifying aspects of the game.

Aesthetically, Sand Land is a feast for the eyes, with Toriyama's iconic art style brought to life in high definition. Whether on a robust gaming PC or a handheld device, the game performs seamlessly, maintaining a consistent 60 frames-per-second even in the most action-packed scenes, ensuring a visually stunning and fluid gaming experience.

Sand Land is a richly layered and compelling adaptation that not only respects its source material but builds upon it to create an immersive and engaging gaming experience. It sets a high standard for how manga and anime properties can be adapted into the video game format, offering both fans and newcomers a thorough and enjoyable exploration of Akira Toriyama's unique world.