Sand Land scored an average of 72/100 from Opencritic and 73/100 from Metacritic. Various media outlets agree that the game features enjoyable vehicle systems and beautiful graphics. However, the main gameplay and side quests are deemed boring, the open world is repetitive, and the storytelling is excessively slow.
TheGamer rated it 5/10: The game is fun despite several flaws. The vehicle system is enjoyable, and even though the side quests lack substance and the open world feels repetitive, we have powerful tanks that can quickly eliminate enemies. Don’t expect this game to be the best adaptation of Professor Toriyama’s manga. Watching the anime might be a better option.
Gameblog.fr rated it 6/10: Sand Land’s video game adaptation is a mixed bag. It faithfully represents Professor Toriyama’s manga with beautiful cel-shaded graphics and beloved characters. However, it sticks too much to old-fashioned open-world formulas, resulting in a slow-paced narrative and diminishing impact.
Hardcore Gamer rated it 7/10: Sand Land is rough and challenging at times but still delivers beauty from different angles. It has an excellent storyline, likable characters, and impressive combat and vehicle travel systems. However, it is held back by annoying dialogue during travel and occasionally dull and empty scenes. Whether you’re a fan of Professor Toriyama’s work or not, there’s something special to try in this game if you’re willing to invest in it.
COGconnected scored it 78/100: Sand Land excellently captures the heart and soul of Professor Toriyama’s classic tale. The thrilling vehicle combat and exploration of a vast limitless world are highlights of the game. Close combat mechanics are uninteresting, and side quests are somewhat tedious. However, the diverse main storyline accurately interprets and expands the manga, accompanied by stunning graphics that anime fans will fall in love with.
Noisy Pixel rated it 9/10: Sand Land blends exhilarating vehicle combat with an engaging storyline and vast boundary-less world exploration. It not only stays true to the essence of the original work but also expands this universe meaningfully to captivate both gamers and anime fans. With a beautifully crafted environment and captivating animation, this game sets a new standard for manga adaptations.
GAMINGbible gave it 8/10: The beautifully designed in-game world comes to life with outstanding animation and immersive sound effects that draw players in. Encouraging continuous exploration, it evokes memories of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, where intriguing elements lead players off the main path for frequent discoveries. While some parts may feel incomplete, it’s still a game worth recommending to anime fans, especially those who appreciate Professor Toriyama’s work.
Sand Land will be released on April 26th for PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC, developed using Unreal Engine.
TLDR: Sand Land received mixed reviews, with praise for its visuals and vehicle systems but criticism for repetitive gameplay and slow storytelling. It’s recommended for fans of Professor Toriyama’s work but may not appeal to all players.
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