Game Adaptations: Sand Land Review
Adapting a video game from another form of media can be a challenging task. The transition from comic, show, or movie to a video game format often involves compromises that may result in losing some essence of the original source material. Sand Land, the open-world adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s manga of the same name, is a classic example of this delicate balance. While the game successfully captures some of the original charm of the manga on a grand scale, especially with its focus on exploration and combat using vehicles, the overall experience of the game falls short in terms of storytelling and quest design, leaving players feeling somewhat underwhelmed.
Sand Land doesn’t delve deep into profound themes, and that’s not its purpose. However, the premise of demons and humans coexisting in a desolate wasteland, battling corrupt governments, sets an intriguing backdrop. The narrative revolves around the struggle for precious resources like water, shifting towards building a resistance, seeking redemption for past mistakes, and showcasing the desperate measures villains take to hold onto power. Players take on the role of Beelzebub, a demon prince with a soft side that contradicts his claims of being the most evil and fearsome demon. The journey unfolds as Beelzebub teams up with characters like Rao and Ann, unraveling their dark histories along the way.
Insights from Sand Land Anime Review
According to our review of the recent Sand Land anime, the series presents a well-crafted post-apocalyptic tale with intricate mechanical designs and a compelling, multi-layered redemption story penned by the legendary Akira Toriyama. However, it’s worth noting that the initial episodes are essentially a condensed version of the 2023 movie adaptation. – Rafael Motamayor, March 22, 2024
Score: 9
For a detailed analysis, read our full Sand Land anime review.
While there are commendable aspects to Sand Land, the overall impact is dulled by what feels like a lackluster presentation. Although the voice acting suits the characters well, the writing itself falls into cliches and predictable dialogues, undermining the storytelling. The cutscenes, often stiff and requiring manual progression through dialogue lines, fail to elevate potentially exciting, humorous, or emotional moments. Occasionally, the game shines with impressive pre-rendered scenes that hint at its true potential, but these moments are scarce, making it challenging for players to fully engage with the story.
Despite these shortcomings, witnessing Toriyama’s iconic artwork and character designs translated into 3D is a delight. The game retains Toriyama’s signature blend of whimsicality and darker undertones, exploring new territory within the Sand Land universe. The imaginative vehicle designs, reminiscent of those in the Dragon Ball series, stand out as one of the game’s strengths.
The core gameplay of Sand Land revolves around its vehicle system, which offers a diverse and engaging experience. Players can carry up to five vehicles, summoning each one seamlessly to suit different situations. Each vehicle presents unique strengths and utility, from the sturdy tank for combat to the agile Jump Bot for tight spaces. Additionally, a special mech combines melee and ranged abilities, essential for navigating puzzles and challenges in the main quest.
The game’s quests feature some memorable moments, particularly through intriguing boss fights and dungeon-like scenarios that test players’ vehicle-handling skills. Infiltrating enemy strongholds involves stealth sequences, followed by intense mech and tank battles. Each mission introduces varied gameplay elements, from solving puzzles with the Hover Bot to confronting formidable foes like the kraken boss. While these elements may not individually stand out, their combined execution creates enjoyable and chaotic gaming experiences.
Despite the primarily barren setting of Sand Land, the vast desert landscapes and imposing structures, like the abandoned battleship at the Junker’s Market, offer a sense of scale and exploration. The introduction of Forest Land introduces lush vegetation and expansive vistas, providing a refreshing contrast to the desolate landscapes. Players can explore winding roads, steep cliffs, and hidden caves, engaging in side quests and hunting missions to enhance their experience without overwhelming the game with unnecessary distractions.
The focus on vehicle exploration in Sand Land enhances the gameplay experience, whether traveling between locations or navigating dungeon puzzles. The seamless transition between vehicles maintains the game’s momentum, from speeding across terrains on a motorbike to engaging enemy squads with a tank or reaching elevated platforms with the Jump Bot.
Maintaining and customizing vehicles play a crucial role in Sand Land’s gameplay mechanics. Upgrading vehicles regularly is essential to match enemy difficulty levels, with resources obtained through combat and exploration. The customization options, including diverse weapons and components for each vehicle, significantly impact their performance, providing tangible gameplay benefits.
While Sand Land excels in its vehicle system and customization features, the game falls short in presenting challenging combat scenarios. The lack of enemy variety and subpar AI detract from the overall combat experience, making battles feel repetitive and simplistic. As a result, players may find themselves craving more strategic depth and creative challenges in the gameplay.
While vehicular combat dominates much of Sand Land’s gameplay, the hand-to-hand combat segments feel shallow and lack depth. The skills tree offers basic upgrades for combat abilities, but the combat mechanics rely heavily on repetitive button-mashing with little fluidity or satisfaction in combat engagements.