Sand Land

About Sand Land

Sand Land is a desert-set action RPG from ILCA, published by Bandai Namco. Released in April 2024, it’s built on Akira Toriyama’s legendary comic and features a world ravaged by water scarcity. You play Beelzebub, a demon prince, and Rao, a human sheriff, as they team up to find the mythical Legendary Spring. The game blends fast-paced combat with character-driven storytelling, offering a mix of exploration, base-building, and tactical battles. With roots in Toriyama’s classic manga, it’s a vibrant, chaotic tale of cooperation between unlikely allies.

Gameplay

The core loop involves switching between Beelzebub and Rao during fights, each with distinct abilities, Beelzebub wields fire-based magic, while Rao uses a revolver and hand-to-hand moves. Combat is real-time but rewards precise timing and positioning. Between battles, you manage a desert base, recruit companions, and upgrade gear. Exploration is linear but rewarding, with side quests tied to water rationing mechanics. The game’s pacing alternates between tense boss fights and slower strategy segments. Controls are responsive on PC and consoles, though the camera occasionally struggles in tight desert corridors.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community rates it 77.8/100 (13 reviews), with 32.9% of players unlocking achievements. The rarest, “Epic Journey,” is achieved by just 1.40%, likely tied to a hidden desert route. Most sessions last 25, 35 hours, with 45% finishing under 40. Players praise the art style and combat variety but note repetitive enemy designs. Reviews highlight the “charismatic leads and inventive base mechanics,” though some call the pacing uneven. The 51 achievements skew toward exploration (24%) and boss challenges (36%).

PlayPile's Take

Sand Land is a solid RPG for fans of chaotic world-building and dual-character combat. At $49.99, it offers decent value for its 30+ hour runtime. The 33% achievement rate suggests moderate challenge, but the rarest rewards demand persistence. It’s not impressive but hits a sweet spot for players who enjoy Toriyama’s quirky humor and action-RPG hybrids. Skip if you prefer deep story or seamless open worlds. Worth a playthrough for its energy and style.

Storyline

In a desert world where both demons and humans suffer from an extreme water shortage, Beelzebub, the prince of demons, and Rao, a small-town sheriff, form a tag-team and set off on an adventure in search of the Legendary Spring somewhere in the desert.