Summary
Akira Toriyama’s contributions to the world of video games are almost just as far-reaching and wide-ranging as the legendary artist’s work in manga and anime. In addition to being the mastermind behind the hugely successfulDragon Ballmanga and anime series (as well as the dozens of games utilizing the IP and its characters), Toriyama-sensei is one of the co-creators and principal artist behind the iconic character designs of theDragon Questseries andChrono Triggeron the SNES. The newest game to feature the artist’s characters isSand Land, which adapts theSand Landmanga from 2000 into an open-world action game mixingZelda-style exploration and adventure with vehicular combat.
Toriyama himself would work closely withSand Land’s developers to introduce several new components to the property not present in the original manga. One of these is thecity of Spino, which players can build out and customize as part of the adventure, and another is the unique Forest Land – a brand-new area exclusive toSand Land’s video game adaptation. Toriyama’s large and impactful body of work has earned his creations millions of fans across the globe, and that’s somethingSand Land’s developers are trying to honor with the game adaptation of one of the creator’s lesser-known works.
Sand Land Is Intended to Be a Standalone Experience
Although the property features the unmistakable and iconic art style present in all of Akira Toriyama’s work,Sand Landis relatively unknown in comparison to the creator’s other IP. Not only were theDragon BallandDragon Ball Zmanga and television series massively popular IP responsible for getting an entire generation of Western fans into anime, the games based on those properties continue to be massively successful and endear those characters to younger audiences just breaking into the IP for the first time. And, with even a cursory knowledge of theDragon Ballstory, players can find plenty to enjoy from the fighting game adaptations that the series has a penchant for.
One of the challenges withadaptingSand Landwas always going to be honoring the legacy of the manga while making it approachable for new fans, taking an already established story and then making it interesting for those familiar with the property while accommodating newcomers. According toSand Landproducer Keishu Minami, the best way to address this situation was to makeSand Landits own standalone experience that puts enjoyable gameplay front and center.
…for Sand Land fans, they can experience Toriyama-sensei’s world through the gameplay, and those who don’t know Sand Land yet can enjoy the game itself because it has open-world actions, a rich body of content, vehicle customizations, and various actions. Even if they don’t know Sand Land, they can enjoy this as a simple open-world action RPG.
Further,Sand Landis intended to be less of an adaptation and more of a critical piece of bringing theSand LandIP to a brand-new audience through a multimedia approach. TheSand Landanimated seriesrecently launched on Disney +, and there are plans to bring the property to life in an animated feature film as well. According to Minami,Sand Land"it has enough volume to be its own thing." And, in addition to his creation of the original manga and helping to inspire the game’s exclusive areas, “Toriyama-sensei himself looked into the scenarios and vehicle designs” ofSand Land.Sand Land’s gameplay should be the main draw for fans both old and new, but Toriyama’s influence makes it an unmissable chapter of theSand Landsaga.
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.
