My Time at Sandrock is, fairly aptly, a sandbox recreation the place you tackle the function of a fledgling builder who has left house in the hunt for new adventures in a brand new city. After arriving in Sandrock you might be shortly set duties of crafting gadgets for the townsfolk.
Set in the identical universe as My Time at Portia, My Time at Sandrock is a sister recreation, not a sequel. Sandrock is without doubt one of the ‘free cities’, similar to Portia and the sport seems to be set in the identical time as nicely – a future publish apocalyptic world which comprises deserted buildings and ‘relics’ – lengthy forgotten gadgets from the outdated occasions.
The sport additionally follows the identical gameplay as Portia – you begin out with fundamental weapons and machines which limits the sorts of objects you may craft. You collect sources – similar to wooden, rock, rubber and metallic out of your environment and course of them in machines to construct objects. As time progresses you unlock new machines and acquire entry to beforehand restricted areas, which let you collect extra supplies and create extra superior constructions.
There is no such thing as a requirement to have performed My Time at Portia to get pleasure from My Time at Sandrock however in case you have already performed it, you then may discover the beginning of My Time at Sandrock somewhat too acquainted and subsequently repetitive, as you undergo the identical motions. Nevertheless, issues do diverge fairly shortly.
The one actual distinction between Portia and Sandrock is the placement. Whereas Portia was verdant and inexperienced, Sandrock is ready in a desert, which provides further perils of sandstorms and having to fret about water provide. There may be additionally a marked enchancment within the look of the sport, with extra life-like characters, higher animated cutscenes and all the major characters being voiced.
My Time at Sandrock very subtly reminds you of the environmental points we’re going through in the true world. The theme of restricted sources is clear. Reasonably than reduce down bushes to assemble wooden, you kind by wooden piles that seem within the desert panorama. It’s also possible to course of wooden, metallic and rubber scrap in your ‘recycler’ machine and break down outdated constructions and machines to reuse their constituent elements. Water provide is a giant problem within the recreation. Your machines will use water to run, and also you want it to water your crops, however you’ll have to useful resource it your self, both by amassing dew from vegetation, putting in a ‘dew collector’ in your yard, or shopping for from the native water tower. We discovered that enjoying the sport actually did make us take into consideration the longer term we may very well be going through, however with out it being too ‘in your face’.
In addition to resourcing, crafting and farming, you’ll have a little bit of spare time to satisfy the residents of Sandrock – each human and animal (you may spot just a few acquainted faces from Occasion Animals). Build up relationships takes numerous time, endurance and a complete lot of speaking and reward giving. However, as you get to know individuals you begin to discover out extra about them, similar to what presents they like and are capable of go on playdates, which additional boosts your relationship. In the end that is value it although, as a result of as relationships progress, extra aspect quests open up. There may be additionally the chance for romantic relationships as nicely, with the choice of marriage and kids.
There are many locations to discover, and as you progress new areas will open up. At first you might be roughly confined to the city, which comprises a number of retailers the place you should buy or promote items, the Commerce Guild the place you choose up commissions and the Blue Moon Saloon the place you may seize a chunk to eat. Additionally, you will quickly unlock ruins, the place you may mine for sources and uncover relics or helpful bits of package for constructing. The sheer quantity of operating round to get from place to position can get a bit tedious at occasions, even with the choice of sprinting. You may hire or purchase a horse however you’ll must construct up some money to do that – count on to spend a good proportion of the sport operating at the least at first.
You’ll tackle commissions from residents to earn cash (and enhance your relationship with them). You should use your hard-earned money to purchase new garments, increase the scale of your yard or enlarge and embellish your home. In the principle storyline you’ll tackle greater commissions, normally to assist the city out when hassle comes alongside.
There may be additionally a component of fight in My Time at Sandrock, utilizing each melee and taking pictures. You’ll must kill a few of the native wildlife to get sources like fur, and battle the baddies together with a race of lizard-like creatures which can be intent on inflicting hassle for the city. At first fight is difficult however as you play you acquire expertise, which ranges up your well being, stamina, assault and defence. These will also be modified by the weapons you utilize, what garments you put on, and what furnishings you place in your home.
Rising expertise additionally earns you factors to spend on 4 completely different ability bushes. Varied completely different nodes on every tree give you advantages similar to extra methods to extend expertise and stamina (which is painfully low initially of the sport), faster routes to constructing relationships and rising fight expertise.
The sport follows a calendar, with every day passing by way of sped up time (which you’ll change within the choices to make the day shorter or longer). Because the seasons change, completely different yearly occasions happen, like a dance-off and festivals such because the Day of Recollections, which is akin to Halloween, the place you get to play a spooky recreation along with your neighbours. That is one space the place My Time at Sandrock falls down barely. You’re given a warning about when a competition goes to occur, however typically the place you want to join occasions will not be clear and will depart you in peril of lacking out. We additionally have been unable to compete within the dance-off as a result of we couldn’t enroll. In case you do miss an occasion there’s at all times subsequent 12 months although.
Taking part in My Time at Sandrock is presently a solo pursuit however there’s the potential for a multiplayer mode sooner or later. This characteristic is presently within the beta testing section for PC and is totally separate from the only participant story, going down on the delivery of the city. We don’t have a date but for when this characteristic is coming to Xbox, however we do know it’s not out there at launch.
Whether or not you might be new to the Alliance of the Free Cities or a frequent customer, My Time at Sandrock is a extremely playable recreation. The storyline flows at an honest tempo, there’s at all times someplace to discover or a brand new gadget to construct that retains you desirous to return. Anticipate the odd frustration – whether or not that’s a minor bug, having to run backwards and forwards an terrible lot or the sheer period of time spent speaking to the residents.
Nevertheless, you’ll actually by no means get bored along with your life as a Sandrock builder.
