Summary
Bandai Namco’sSand Landis a fairly ambitious open-world action RPG that takes the same general story of Akira Toriyama’s 2000 manga of the same name and injects some new life into it through subtle variations to the story, setting, and characters. Though vehicles play an important role in the narrative ofSand Landand feature prominently in the game, what was likely unexpected was how deep and rewarding the vehicle customization and combat ofSand Landare. Even more surprising is how muchSand Land’s vehicular combat brings to mind the erstwhile PlayStation franchiseTwisted Metal.
Much more than the primary methods of traversal throughSand Land’s vast open world map and myriad dungeons, vehicles are the star of the game’s combat, to the point where getting out of a vehicle and fighting enemies on foot feels like it should be a last-ditch effort. With a simple-to-use but satisfying progression path for vehicles and plenty of loot in the form of new parts, chips, and materials for upgradingSand Land’s various vehicles, it’s safe to say that vehicular combat and maintenance are the core of its gameplay loop. Outside being a quality video game adaptation of the manga,Sand Landmakes a strong case for thereturn ofTwisted Metaland the vehicular combat genre as a whole.
How Sand Land’s Gameplay Pays Homage to the Vehicular Combat Genre
Sand Land’s vehicle combatgoes beyond giving the player one trustworthy ride to use throughout the adventure, instead giving them 6 vehicles to choose from, along with the option of an animal mount in the Raptor. Each of these vehicles has its own unique handling, parts, and weapon loadouts, making playing as each one feel like a different variation onSand Land’s main combat system. Even though most battles boil down to strafing around enemies while firing off volleys of ordinance from primary and secondary weapons (juggling cooldowns in between), the handling and arcade-type feel to how vehicles control makes combat feel satisfying.
It’s not at all different from the frantic and fast-paced handling and attacking oftheTwisted Metalseriesor other genre competitors likeVigilante 8, with each vehicle having distinct pros and cons relative to its speed, armor, and offensive capabilities. The vehicular combat genre was always focused on fast-paced arena-style battles over simulation and realistic physics, andSand Landplaces a similar emphasis on fun and speed over realism. Better yet, being able to customize and upgrade vehicles inSand Landcreates a use case for what a newTwisted Metalcould look like.
What the Return of the Vehicular Combat Genre Could Look Like
If one is to countDestruction AllStars,it’s been 3 years since even a “vehicular combat-adjacent” game has come out, and even longer since the most recent title in theTwisted Metalseries. Assuming thatSand Land’s focus on vehicular combat inspires a developer to bring the genre back from the grave, a newTwisted Metalor similar title could make use of more than 12 years of innovations and trends in the world of gaming.Sand Land’s RPG systemsand open world are already a great framework for elements that should be included in a new vehicular combat game, but they’re far from the end of the road.
BothTwisted Metal: Blackand the2012Twisted Metalrebootfeatured online functionality, but competitive and cooperative multiplayer were still experiencing growing pains during the 6th and 7th console generations. Imagining a modern vehicular combat game withSand Land’s vehicle customization, loot, and progression in the framework of a battle royale seems like it would be a perfect fit for the franchise.Sand Land’s vehicular combat is arguably the game’s highlight, and it should just be the tip of the iceberg for a full-blown genre revival.
Sand Land
WHERE TO PLAY
Dive into a desert world where both humans and demons suffer from an extreme water shortage - SAND LAND. Meet the Fiend Prince Beelzebub, his chaperone Thief, and the fearless Sheriff Rao, and follow the team on an extraordinary adventure in search of the Legendary Spring hidden in the desert, and much more. The end is only the beginning, as beyond this arid ground lies a mysterious new realm to explore - Forest Land.This action-RPG is a nostalgic and heartwarming world created by Akira Toriyama, where you will become the main character, Beelzebub. Learn how to control his powers and lead your company of heroic misfits, exploring the legendary world of SAND LAND and the brand-new Forest Land. But beware of the many dangers that populate them: between bandits, fierce wildlife, and ruthless Army Generals, reaching the spring and saving the world won’t be easy!Use your tact and imagination to develop tanks and other vehicles that will help you navigate these vast resourceful lands, using a wide array of part combinations. Build up your base of operations into a thriving city, with the help of the people you meet along the way in this desert.
