My Time at Sandrock Review: A Charming Life Sim To Steal Your Heart!

by Luis November 4, 2023

In the quaint world of “My Time At Sandrock,” where the dust of the old world settles just as new beginnings take root, players are immersed in an enchanting contradiction. This successor to “My Time at Portia” has carved out a niche in the life simulation genre, offering a gameplay loop that is as satisfying as it is engrossing. The game’s charm is immediately apparent, with a town brimming with personality and characters that could easily step out of the screen and into your living room.

The game’s core loop—crafting, building, farming, and relationship-building—is executed with a finesse that often has players bargaining with themselves for just “one more day” in its immersive embrace. It’s a testament to the developers’ understanding of what makes life simulation games tick: the delicate balance between routine and surprise, between the mundane and the extraordinary. Sandrock itself is a character, a canvas painted with the broad strokes of community and the fine lines of individual stories.

However, not all is perfect in this desert oasis. Technical issues occasionally remind players of the game’s earthly tethering, breaking immersion with the jarring reality of bugs and glitches. Yet, these are but minor blemishes on an otherwise captivating experience. The game’s diverse cast of characters is its beating heart, offering a range of interactions that are as amusing as they are emotional. Each NPC is crafted with care, their stories unfolding like chapters in a book you can’t put down.

“My Time At Sandrock” eschews genre expectations in subtle yet significant ways. Where other games in the genre might lean heavily on farming or crafting, Sandrock finds a middle ground, allowing players to shape their experience to their liking. The personal progress within the game is tangible; you see the fruits of your labor not just in the structures you build or the crops you harvest, but in the relationships you nurture and the community you help thrive.

While games like “Stardew Valley” or “Animal Crossing” set the bar high for life sims, “My Time At Sandrock” holds its own with unique mechanics and a distinct setting. Its post-apocalyptic backdrop is a far cry from the usual pastoral settings of its contemporaries, providing a narrative impetus that drives the gameplay forward. The AI-enabled factory and robot workers are examples of how the game integrates futuristic elements into its otherwise rustic tapestry, blending the old with the new in a way that feels innovative and familiar. It doesn’t just replicate the success of its peers; it builds upon it. The game’s skill progression system and quest structure also offer a depth that will satisfy both genre veterans and newcomers.

“My Time At Sandrock” is a diamond in the rough, a game that offers a comprehensive life simulation experience that is rewarding despite its flaws. It’s a game that deserves to be polished to perfection, and we hope that future updates will smooth out its technical edges. For its ambition, charm, and sheer joy it brings, “My Time At Sandrock” is a game that promises—and delivers—a good time, and isn’t that what we all seek in our digital escapes?

RATING: 4.5 out of 5

My Time at Sandrock is available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5 & 4 and Xbox One & Series S/X.