Earlier this month, the world misplaced a one-of-a-kind artistic expertise with the information of Akira Toriyama’s passing. Whereas Dragon Ball will all the time be Toriyama-sensei’s best-known work, he leaves behind a legacy filled with many different imaginative worlds throughout video games, anime, and manga. Earlier than leaving us, he labored with Bandai Namco to flesh out considered one of his quick manga creations additional: Sand Land. Alongside a brand new anime collection, Toriyama-sensei gave enter on a videogame adaptation of Sand Land that will enable gamers to discover this distinctive world for themselves.
The traditional manga Sand Land lives on in Bandai Namco’s new sport, which ventures past the place the unique story concludes. Learn on to search out out what new adventures await our mech-powered demon hero within the wetlands, caves, and Forest Land. Talking of Forest Land, we even have a reveal of latest gameplay from the woodland biome.
Each demon has his day
Sand Land follows the exploits of Beelzebub, the prince of a tribe of demons dwelling in an enormous desert setting often known as Sand Land. Due to his heritage, Beelzebub is mischievous, spoiled, and snarky, however he’s additionally obtained a delicate spot for serving to others in want and a robust sense of justice — even when he gained’t admit it. Sand Land is going through a disaster: water is turning into more and more scarce, as a egocentric human king is hoarding the live-giving useful resource. Whereas Sand Land descends into chaos as preventing over the restricted provide intensifies, Sheriff Rao approaches the demons to assist liberate the water provide. Beelzebub, his handservant Thief, and the ever-mysterious Rao to assist Sand Land and perhaps even realms past.
Sand Land is an motion RPG with an enormous world to discover. You straight management Beelzebub, who’s accompanied by companions Thief and Rao. Beelzebub is the one who will get within the thick of a lot of the motion, utilizing hand-to-hand fight and darkish magic to beat his foes. The opposite characters present help and recommendation, bantering with the Prince about present occasions and suggesting the place to go and what to do subsequent.
Beelzebub is fairly nimble on foot, however one factor that units Sand Land other than different titles is its emphasis on autos. Beelzebub can purchase and improve an enormous number of candy rides: bikes, tanks, hovercraft, dune buggies, and extra. Every automobile is tailored for sure terrain and fight conditions: bikes can get you round primary terrain with ease and pace, whereas jump-bots may also help you spring as much as greater floor, and tanks are, properly, tanky. Automobiles you purchase will be upgraded and customised with weapons, paint, and logos to make them every uniquely yours.
What’s particularly useful is that Beelzebub can name upon a lot of his autos with just a few button presses. All it takes is a poof, and also you’ve obtained some mega mobility or heavy firepower proper subsequent to you, able to go. After all, these machines aren’t invincible, and also you’ll have to preserve your ammo shares replenished. Nonetheless, when it is advisable scale that cliff or cross that moat, you’ve obtained your mandatory tools at hand–and typically you possibly can simply hijack one thing neat-looking you discover mendacity round. Typically, your candy experience may even be alive.
Into the woods
Sand Land is a big sport. Not solely do you have got all of Sand Land to discover — and the bottom of Spino to rebuild — however the story continues previous the manga’s ending and introduces an entire further setting to discover: the verdant Forest Land.
After preventing by means of a sprawling dungeon, we washed up on this new setting. It was clear it could be no stroll within the park — there was quite a lot of sinister scheming among the many Forest Land army. We have been then tasked with rescuing a lass named Ann from her captors. It’s not a straightforward feat since she’s holed up in a fort teeming with guardian troopers.
However Beelzebub is aware of the way to be a sneaky little satan and has simply the best strikes to creep up on—after which scare the bejeezus out of—some hapless troopers who’ve by no means seen an actual demon earlier than.
Not everybody’s going to faint after they see a scary face, although. Luckily, that’s the place the tank is available in. Bringing out the massive weapons and making knowledgeable use of the tank’s particular Outrigger means laid waste to Ann’s captors—and once we confronted off in opposition to the boss, we obtained to hijack some candy melee-mashing battle armor to convey residence with us.
Taking up the world
Sand Land is brimming with sidequests and actions exterior the primary story missions. Beelzebub is raring to show his greatness, and to that finish, he’s glad to assist his fellow demons and, properly, perhaps some people too. Monster issues? Particular deliveries? Unexplored territory? This Prince can deal with all of it.
After all, with miscreants operating rampant throughout Sand Land, it solely is sensible that there can be bounties on a number of the extra infamous creatures and criminals. A number of gangs named after card fits occupy their territories and don’t take kindly to intruders. One such gang, the Hearts, has a singular sense of decor for his or her not-so-hidden hideout. If Beelzebub can infiltrate their HQ, he’ll discover that there’s a giant bounty on the chief—however he’s not taking place with no combat.
Sand Land appears set to ship on a big promise: immersing you in Toriyama-sensei’s massive, lovely world and epic story. With graphics that seize the manga’s intricate linework, characters and interactions crammed with intrigue and humor, and an entire lot of raptor-riding, magic-wielding, tank-busting motion, it’s exhausting to think about a greater tribute to the life and legacy of Akira Toriyama.
