Bandai Namco Entertainment and developer ILCA have unveiled the forthcoming release of Sand Land, a brand-new game rooted in a desert world created by the mind behind Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama.
The announcement came as part of the Summer Game Fest 2023, revealing that the game will launch for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. While an official release date remains undisclosed, an announcement trailer provided a glimpse into the arid world featuring the main characters from the manga.
Set against a backdrop where both humans and demons endure a severe water shortage, Sand Land plunges players into a unique desert universe. Central to the game’s narrative are characters such as the Fiend Prince, Beelzebub, Sheriff Rao, and a demon named Thief, all embarking on a quest to locate a Legendary Spring hidden amidst the desert. Players will have the opportunity to navigate this vast world as Beelzebub, accompanied by a band of unlikely allies, humans, and demons alike.
Beelzebub, self-described as a “super evil fiend,” possesses a childlike purity, coupled with formidable strength and telepathic abilities. Rao, a sheriff from a small town, joins forces with the demons to free Sand Land from its water crisis. Thief, an elderly and sagacious demon renowned for his thieving skills, also joins the adventurous troupe.
The game intends to offer players an engaging and varied gameplay experience, incorporating vehicular and character combat into its action. As they explore the sprawling desert, players can choose to travel on foot or traverse in customizable vehicles equipped with load-outs to surmount obstacles and engage with a wide range of formidable foes.
Originating from the 2000 manga series created by Akira Toriyama, Sand Land has garnered global recognition over the years. Its premise involves Beelzebub, the Fiend Prince, and Rao, a small-town sheriff, forming an alliance to locate a concealed water source in a world struggling with water scarcity. The Sand Land game project was first announced in December 2022, marking the beginning of a partnership to transform the legendary manga IP into a transmedia experience.
