My Time at Sandrock
" Engaging adventure RPG with robust crafting and vibrant world but slow early pacing "
My Time at Sandrock Review
My Time at Sandrock is a deeply engaging life simulation RPG that expands on the beloved foundation of its predecessor, My Time at Portia, while delivering a distinct and immersive world. Set in a vibrant post-apocalyptic desert town, players take on the role of a builder revitalizing Sandrock through crafting, farming, mining, and social interactions. The game features a rich storyline filled with political intrigue, character betrayals, and heartfelt relationships, supported by fully voiced NPCs and dynamic environments.
Players praise the satisfying gameplay loop, which balances resource management, town development, and combat encounters. The visuals are colorful and detailed, capturing the dusty yet hopeful atmosphere, complemented by a fitting soundtrack. However, some players note a slow early pacing, occasional bugs, and inventory management frustrations. Despite these, ongoing updates and the depth of content make Sandrock a standout title in the cozy sim genre, appealing to fans seeking a heartfelt, expansive, and strategic experience.
Highlights
Players highly appreciate the game's compelling storyline, which intertwines political drama and character development, offering multiple twists and meaningful choices. The gameplay mechanics, including crafting, building, farming, and combat, are praised for their depth and satisfying progression. The vibrant graphics and expressive character models create an inviting desert town atmosphere, enhanced by dynamic weather and day-night cycles. The fully voiced NPCs with unique personalities add to the immersive social experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke emotional investment and its successful evolution from its predecessor.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include a slow and sometimes overwhelming early game pacing, which can deter new players. The inventory system is frequently described as cumbersome, requiring excessive micromanagement. Some players encounter bugs ranging from minor graphical glitches to game freezes, impacting immersion. Additionally, certain quests and dialogue options are seen as repetitive or vague, and the endgame content can feel underwhelming or unbalanced. Multiplayer features and DLCs receive mixed feedback, with some players finding them lacking in depth or polish.
Pros
- • Engaging and complex storyline with political intrigue and character depth.
- • Robust crafting and building systems with satisfying progression.
- • Vibrant, colorful graphics that capture a unique desert atmosphere.
- • Fully voiced NPCs with distinct, well-written personalities.
- • Dynamic weather and day-night cycles enhancing immersion.
- • Balanced combat providing fun dungeon-crawling diversions.
- • Meaningful social interactions and romance options.
Cons
- • Slow early game pacing can feel overwhelming or tedious.
- • Inventory management is frustrating and requires frequent micromanagement.
- • Occasional bugs and performance issues disrupt gameplay.
- • Some quests and dialogue feel repetitive or lack clarity.
- • Endgame content can be underwhelming and unbalanced.
- • Multiplayer mode is underwhelming and lacks depth.
- • Certain DLCs are mostly cosmetic and add little gameplay value.
Rating Criteria
Travel to the desert community of Sandrock and take on the role of a fledgling Builder. Use your trusty toolset to gather resources, construct machines, and turn your run-down workshop into a well-oiled production facility to save the town from the jaws of economic ruin!
