The best friends you know!System: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/SPublishing company: Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.Developers: ILCA, Inc.Release date: April 26, 2024
SAND LAND-Debut Trailer
[nội dung được nhúng] Many of you may already know this title, whether from the manga or recent anime adaptation. Regardless, its distinct character design is recognizable to most people. Sand Land originates from the pages of the writings of the late Akira Toriyama and caters to adventurers who want to immerse themselves in his imaginative universe, weaving an engaging story complemented by gameplay attractive. Fans of manga or anime will find themselves drawn into a familiar world brought to life in stunning detail, and enthusiasts of vehicular combat and RPG progression will discover a mixed bag. Uniqueness is waiting for them. However, Sand Land adheres to a similar formula to other anime-themed titles, which has proven to be a hit or miss. While newcomers can certainly appreciate this engaging adventure, it may not be to every gamer's taste. You can certainly expect to journey through a visually diverse landscape, although it's mostly a brown and orange-toned desert adventure. In terms of gameplay, Sand Land primarily revolves around open-world exploration and vehicular combat, in which players navigate treacherous terrain using machine-like vehicles and engage in battles against local fauna (dinosaurs, giant scorpions, etc.), evil Royal army. and some rebels seem to be straight out of a Mad Max movie.
While the open world offers plenty of opportunities for exploration and side quests, some may find its vastness marred by repetitive missions and tedious activities. However, Sand Land offers plenty of customization options and side mechanics that are sure to add hours of gameplay for the most invested players.
Sand Land's visual aesthetic skillfully captures the essence of Toriyama's iconic art style, bringing his vibrant characters and landscapes to life in a three-dimensional world. While the desert landscape may lack visual variety, the lush forests and cascading waterfalls midway through the main quest are mesmerizing, enticing players to explore every corner of the enchanting world. or this. Personally, we love the vehicle design and vibrant feel of this desert world, making Sand Land one of the best-looking anime games of the year so far. In Sand Land, the auditory experience is a hybrid, with music and voice acting both contributing to the overall atmosphere, albeit with varying degrees of success. The game's soundtrack, while not groundbreaking, effectively complements the gameplay and story, providing a mix of atmospheric and energetic melodies that enhance the sense of immersion in the desert world. However, sometimes it fails to deliver memorable and truly outstanding music.
Notably, the English dub features talented voice actors reprising their roles from the animated version, which is always a plus in this type of game. However, there are instances where the performances feel somewhat forced or out of sync with the action on screen. It should be acknowledged that the quality of the voice acting varies depending on the character and scene, with certain moments shining brightly amid the uneven vocal backdrop.
In the Sand Land, the story focuses on Beelzebub, prince of the monsters, who joins forces with an unexpected human ally, Chief Rao. Their mission? To locate the legendary oasis capable of providing water to both youkai and humans. What's interesting is that Beelzebub and his companions aren't typical villains—they prefer harmless activities like playing video games and pranking humans rather than engaging in bad deeds. distant! But ensuring water sources for the people is only the beginning, as they still have to face a tyrannical King, who selfishly controls all water sources for himself and his army. To accomplish this, Beelzebub and his crew must navigate the desert landscape, overcoming various obstacles along the way. Luckily, Beelzebub, Thief, and Rao have the advantage of technology and the skills of Anne, a mysterious mechanic girl, to aid them in their quest!
Vehicle customization and upgrades allow players to tailor their arsenal to suit their play style, so this is an important point of the game as each vehicle has its own unique powers and abilities. , encourages experimentation and strategic thinking during encounters. As players progress through the game, they will unlock new vehicles and gain rare vehicle parts from defeating enemy units, further enhancing their abilities on the battlefield. For example, a high-speed motorbike is required to cross quicksand, and a jumper will allow you to reach new, higher areas. In addition, players can paint the car and use decals to customize it to their liking. You can even name your vehicle!
While combat is the backbone of Sand Land's gameplay, the title also features an RPG progression system that rewards exploration and completing side quests. Players can upgrade their vehicle parts, unlock new melee combat abilities for Beelzebub and support perks for Rao and Thief, and recruit companions to aid them in the journey to rebuild the city of Spino, which serves as the central hub. There, players can interact with NPCs, buy upgrades, use special coins found in the ruins to buy items, etc.
Despite its strengths, Sand Land is not without its shortcomings. Some players may find the open world segments repetitive, lacking variety in side missions and exploration. Additionally, the game's narrative pacing can feel uneven at times, with occasional drops in pacing that detract from the overall experience. The worst aspect of Sand Land by far is the handheld gameplay and linear progression, even though it's classified as an open world game. Additionally, the saying “jack of all trades, master of none” absolutely applies to this title, as there are mechanics that would certainly extend the game's life by a few hours but seem out of place. , such as grinding resources to craft decorative items. Beelzebub's room. Overall, despite the sometimes confusing cutscenes and repetitive elements, Sand Land is still a fun adventure that fans of the series are sure to enjoy!
Sand Land offers a captivating journey through a world steeped in legend and myth, inviting players on an adventure unlike any other. While lacking in certain aspects of its execution, its heartfelt storytelling and engaging gameplay make it a worthy addition to any JRPG enthusiast's collection. any. Furthermore, it is a testament to Akira Toriyama's lasting legacy!
If you are a fan of the Sand Land manga and anime, you should try this video game adaptation as soon as possible. Just make sure you don't play the Sand Land demo as it doesn't match the full version.