AKIRA Toriyama, the prolific and beloved creator of series like Dragon Ball, passed away earlier this year to the devastation of fans.
Before his passing he’d been working on Sand Land, a video game adaptation of his manga of the same name.
Toriyama created the Sand Land manga back in 2000, and it consisted of just a single volume.
It’s set in a desert world where water is scarce and bandits roam free, and this unique world still feels distinctly Toriyama’s.
The Demons of Sand Land are far more powerful than the average human, but it still isn’t your typical super-powered action story.
Human characters can be just as impactful in combat as the Demons, but that’s because most of Sand Land’s story is told from the back of a car.
You will start out in a simple tank, but later you gain access to the Jump Bot, which has a number of advantages.
There are motorbikes with more speed but less firepower, and the Battle Armor vehicle which is heavier and therefore slower.
While it’s fun to traverse the world in these different vehicles, they do trivialise combat.
As vehicles can be outfitted with ranged weapons, you can usually take them out before you get close enough to be hit.
There are a few combat encounters you have to handle on foot, but these feel like an afterthought.
This applies to all sections that you don’t have a vehicle for.
The platforming, stealth sections, and repetitive dungeon crawling, all feel less polished and unfinished.
Sand Land shines when you are in the driver’s seat, but it doesn’t push boundaries in any way.
If all you’re looking for is a fun romp around Toriyama’s world, then you’ll certainly find it here.
However, it’s not groundbreaking and certainly not an essential title for gamers.
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