Twenty years ago, the comic book “Sand Land” spread across the United States. I eagerly checked out the 14-chapter volume, as it is written and illustrated by Dragon Ball author Akira Toriyama. It was a quick read, but I'll never forget the adventures of Beelzebub and his band of eccentric demons as they journey to steal water from an oppressive regime in a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland. Thanks to Bandai Namco and developer his ILCA, I got to explore corners of this world I never could have imagined, and Toriyama's coolest creations never got fleshed out any further before this new game. You can actually interact with one of his. A concurrent anime series.
What immediately stands out about the Sand Land video game is how great the presentation is. The cutscenes are rich and well-animated, the dialogue is fully voiced, and the story unfolds as a cinematic adventure filled with characters and life within the wasteland. Every interaction has a charm that makes the player want to see the next area, see all side his quests, and immerse himself in the experience. That's what makes a huge difference and what makes the game really special.
The player primarily controls Beelzebub. Beelzebub is an enthusiastic demon prince who is quick to use his fists in any situation, but he has a surprisingly gentle spot for those in need. Melee combat is probably the roughest element in Sand Land, but it's still pretty fun. The camera can be a bit unwieldy (make sure to use lock-on) and can be slow, so it takes a little getting used to. However, once you start using dodges and utilizing upgrades to buff your allies and gain passive and active assists, it becomes very satisfying.
Even more fun and unique is the vehicular combat. You'll start out controlling a tank, but you'll soon discover a plethora of customizable vehicles, from fast but fragile motorcycles to unique exoskeleton suits that let you jump. Each vehicle has different strengths and weaknesses, so there's a great strategic element to combat, especially on higher difficulty levels.
But there's more to it than just fighting in Sandland. It's a real highlight to actually explore the world and its locations to discover, including radio towers and water stations. When you help an NPC, the NPC will move to your town, where you can provide services or open a shop. There is a great ecosystem of helping others, and as you unlock more useful items and materials, it will help you. This is a fun loop and one that players will return to again and again to improve their party.
Whether you're exploring the vast desert or progressing through the story, you'll have a smile on your face while playing Sand Land. An endlessly engaging game full of sharp writing, enhanced by strong voice acting. I was endlessly impressed with ILCA's attention to detail and never felt like my time was being wasted (which is increasingly rare in games these days).
Sandland Review: Final Verdict
For fans of Akira Toriyama, the Sand Land video game is a dream come true. This is a wonderful celebration of legendary creators breathing new life into deserving properties. With a top-notch presentation and great exploration chops, Sand Land is a great action RPG that's worth playing. This work, created with respect and love for the original work, sets a high bar for future manga adaptations.
Score: 8.5/10
As explained in ComingSoon's review policy, a score of 8.5 equates to “Excellent.” Despite some minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds in its goals and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a PlayStation 5 copy of Sand Land for review. Reviewed in version 1.003.000.
