Akira Toriyama’s ‘Sand Land’: A Post-Apocalyptic World with Unconventional Heroes and Creative Vehicular Combat

Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of “Dragon Ball” and “Dr. Slump,” is behind the new game “Sand Land.” This open-world title is generating excitement not only due to its unique concept but also because Toriyama’s reputation precedes it. The pressure on the game increased after his untimely death in March, making fans more protective of his legacy. Fortunately, “Sand Land” lives up to expectations, showcasing Toriyama’s genius and offering engaging moments with a complex vehicular combat system.

The game is based on a manga of the same name and follows a post-apocalyptic world resembling “Mad Max.” Water control is used as a tool of oppression by the powerful. The story focuses on unconventional heroes like Beelzebub, a demon prince, Sheriff Rao, and Thief. Their camaraderie drives the adventure as they deal with themes such as prejudice, trauma, and exploitation while maintaining an optimistic tone. A new character, Ann, brings a mysterious lineage and mechanic skills to the story.

The main focus of “Sand Land” is on vehicular combat, featuring a variety of vehicles like tanks, cars, motorcycles, and robots with unique abilities. The vehicular combat system shines with Toriyama’s creative designs, but other aspects such as hand-to-hand combat and stealth systems feel lacking in depth. The open world may appear varied in towns but lacks overall substance due to repetitive activities that follow the “Far Cry” formula.

Despite these shortcomings, “Sand Land” still offers an enjoyable experience thanks to its endearing characters and Toriyama’s storytelling prowess. In conclusion,”Sand Land” serves as a testament to Toriyama’s ability to create stories that resonate globally despite their flaws.