Sand Land is an action RPG in an anime style, set in a post-apocalyptic world. Interestingly, the game is an adaptation of the manga and anime of the same name.
Its creator, Akira Toriyama, personally supervised the game’s development. Sand Land was released on April 26, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
The game is set in a world that has turned into a vast desert due to natural disasters and wars, where every drop of water is precious. Players take on the role of Prince Beelzebub, who, along with his companions, sets out to find the Legendary Spring.
The game is fun and occasionally surprising, with the protagonist having access to various vehicles (such as tanks) for travel and combat, which can be upgraded using parts found during the journey.
Although the game was released relatively recently, it has already gained a substantial fan base. If you enjoyed Sand Land and are looking for alternatives, you’re in the right place.
We’ve prepared a list of games with similar themes, graphic styles, combat modes, or settings. Maybe one of these will catch your interest. Enjoy reading!
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
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 | Dragon Quest Xi S Echoes Of An Elusive Age Definitive Edition | 2020-12-04 | RPG | Square Enix Business Division 6 |
 | Scarlet Nexus | 2021-06-25 | Action RPG | Bandai Namco Studios |
 | Tales Of Arise | 2021-09-10 | RPG | Bandai Namco Studios |
 | Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition | 2018-03-06 | RPG | Square Enix Business Division 2 |
 | Dragon Ball Z Kakarot Deluxe Edition | 2020-01-17 | Action | CyberConnect2 |
 | Mad Max | 2015-09-01 | Adventure | Avalanche Studios |
 | Another Crabs Treasure | 2024-04-25 | Action | Aggro Crab Games |
 | Shadows Awakening | 2018-08-31 | Action | Games Farm |
 | Eternity The Last Unicorn | 2019-03-05 | Adventure | Void Studios |
 | Crymachina | 2023-10-24 | jRPG | FuRyu |
 | Silent Hope | 2023-10-03 | jRPG | Marvelous Inc. |
 | Neo The World Ends With You | 2022-10-19 | RPG | Square Enix Creative Business Unit I |
 | Fate Samurai Remnant | 2023-09-29 | jRPG | TYPE-MOON |
 | Eiyuden Chronicle Hundred Heroes | 2024-04-23 | RPG | Rabbit & Bear Studios |
 | Granblue Fantasy Relink | 2024-02-01 | Action | Cygames |
 | Chrono Trigger | 2018-02-27 | RPG | SQUARE ENIX |
 | Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition | 2015-11-05 | Fighting | Vigil Games |
 | Secret Of Mana | 2018-02-15 | RPG | Q Studios |
| | Mad Max | 2015-09-01 | Adventure | Avalanche Studios |
 | Borderlands 2 Goty | 2012-09-20 | Action & Shooter | Gearbox Software |
 | Borderlands 3 Standard Edition | 2020-04 | Action RPG | Gearbox Software |
 | Borderlands Goty Enhanced Goty Enhanced | 2009-10-26 | Action & Shooter | Gearbox Software |
 | Rage 2 Deluxe Edition | 2019-05-14 | Action | id Software |
 | Fallout New Vegas Ultimate Edition | 2010-10-21 | Adventure | Obsidian Entertainment |
Dragon Quest Series
| Release date: | 2020-12-04 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Square Enix Business Division 6 |
Since 1986, Dragon Quest has been a series of RPG games published by Square Enix, with 11 main instalments and numerous spin-offs. Over the years, the series has gained massive popularity, leading to comic and anime adaptations.
In each installment, the protagonist travels through a fantasy world inhabited by incredible creatures like dragons and mummies. The player’s task is usually to defeat evil forces threatening the fairy-tale land.
We’ve started our list with a perfect match. An action RPG in an anime style… can you ask for more? Yes, you can. The icing on the cake here is that the character designer for the Dragon Quest series is none other than Akira Toriyama himself.
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Chrono Trigger
| Release date: | 2018-02-27 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | SQUARE ENIX |
Chrono Trigger is a classic in the RPG genre, originally released in 1995 for the SNES and refreshed in 2018 for PC and newer consoles.
The game is set on Earth in an alternate reality. In Chrono Trigger, we follow the story of a charming boy named Crono who embarks on a quest to find the beautiful Marle, who disappears under mysterious circumstances, in a time machine. His journey through time is challenging, but he meets many companions along the way.
The classic RPG battle of good vs. evil connects Chrono Trigger to Sand Land, but there’s more. Square invited three renowned designers, dubbed the “Dream Team,” to create the game, one of whom was Akira Toriyama himself!
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Darksiders II
| Release date: | 2015-11-05 |
| Genre: | Fighting |
| Developer: | Vigil Games |
Darksiders II is the direct sequel to the 2010 game Darksiders.
In this title, we play as one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Death. The protagonist of the first game, War, is accused by The Charred Council of prematurely causing the Apocalypse. Death believes in his brother’s innocence and sets out to find proof.
Though Darksiders II lacks colourful realms, it is a dark RPG with a demonic protagonist. If the vibrant world of Sand Land was too much for you, the darkness of Darksiders II might be perfect!
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Secret of Mana
| Release date: | 2018-02-15 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Q Studios |
Secret of Mana (jap. Seiken Densetsu 2) is an RPG initially released for the SNES. It’s the sequel to the 1991 game – Mystic Quest (jap. Seiken Densetsu: Fainaru Fantajī Gaiden). The remastered version was released in 2018 for new-generation consoles and PC.
Set in a fantasy world, the game follows a young man named Randi, who, guided by a mysterious voice, finds a magical sword and…starts the difficult task of stopping an evil empire.
Secret of Mana takes place in a colourful fantasy world and, like Sand Land, brings out the best in the RPG genre. The fate of humanity once again depends on the protagonist’s actions.
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Mad Max
| Release date: | 2015-09-01 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Avalanche Studios |
Mad Max is a sandbox third-person shooter released in 2015 by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, inspired by George Miller’s iconic film series “Mad Max”. Interestingly, it is not directly tied to any of the films.
The game is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where the titular hero, Max, embarks on a journey to find parts and build a new supercar, the Magnum Opus. Unfortunately, he faces Scrotus and his gang along the way.
Departing from fairy-tale RPGs and colourful realms, Mad Max offers vehicular combat and a gritty, sandy landscape. In Mad Max, as in Sand Land, you primarily move around in a vehicle that you can upgrade with parts found during your journey, and engage in spectacular vehicle battles. The post-apocalyptic desert setting also connects the two games.
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Borderlands
| Release date: | 2009-10-26 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
Borderlands is an action game with RPG elements released by 2K, the first game in the Borderlands series.
Set in the distant future on the barren planet Pandora, the story revolves around the mysterious legendary Vault filled with advanced weapons. Four hunters — Lilith, Brick, Mordecai, and Roland — set out to find the Vault, each with unique abilities, and it’s up to you to decide whose fate you will direct.
Like in Mad Max, Borderlands features a post-apocalyptic setting and vehicle-based fun. In terms of genre, however, it is closer to Sand Land, with character-building elements typical of RPGs.
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Rage 2
| Release date: | 2019-05-14 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | id Software |
Released in 2019 by Bethesda Softworks, Rage 2 is a sequel to the 2011 game Rage.
The game takes place 30 years after the events of the first installment, continuing its story. Players assume the role of Walker, The Last Ranger of Vineland, who fights daily for survival in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by mutants and crazy bandits.
The expansive open world and armed vehicle battles are the main elements connecting Rage 2 with Sand Land. As in the previously mentioned game, here too, you can upgrade the hero and equipment.
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Fallout: New Vegas
| Release date: | 2010-10-21 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | Obsidian Entertainment |
Fallout: New Vegas is an action RPG released in 2010 by Bethesda Softworks, it’s another spin-off of the post-apocalyptic Fallout series.
Set in a fictional, alternate timeline in a nuclear war-ravaged Mojave Desert, the game’s protagonist, the Courier, is tasked with delivering a package containing a valuable Platinum Chip. Unfortunately, the item is stolen, and the wounded Courier is left for dead, only to be saved by a robot named Victor.
An action RPG with a vast open, post-apocalyptic desert world links Fallout: New Vegas to Sand Land. The game also features humorous elements cleverly woven into its complex storyline.
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Conclusion
Sand Land is a game that, besides offering excellent entertainment and adventure, provides a good dose of humour. The exploration of a vast world and fast combat vehicles keep players engaged for many hours.
It’s understandable that after finishing the game, players search for similar experiences in other games. The above list includes games that could be great alternatives to Sand Land. Check them out! Maybe one of them will catch your interest.