SAND: Raiders of Sophie Review

SAND: Raiders of Sophie is the brand new extraction shooter developed by two studios, Hologryph and TowerHaus, and printed by tinyBuild. When tinyBuild initially revealed this mission again in 2023, it showcased one thing distinctive to the extraction style of the gaming trade. Large mechs strolling in a land of desert dunes- I’m all for it. After three years of improvement and a number of closed and open playtests, it’s lastly right here. Because the extraction shooter style has grown a lot up to now few years, uniqueness holds nice worth for a title. Other than that, it ought to fulfill the core facets of the style to draw new gamers and preserve them engaged. The next overview is of the present state of SAND: Raiders of Sophie, explaining whether or not it’s for you.

NOTE: The overview copy of SAND: Raiders of Sophie was supplied by the writer.

Story and World

Actually, there isn’t any in-depth narrative for SAND: Raiders of Sophie, nor does the sport present a deep lore straight for the world and the raiders. The principle total plot for the sport is that it takes place on Planet Sophie, which was as soon as colonized by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in an alternate historical past in 1910. After an environmental catastrophe, the Empire left the planet, which turned residence to Upiors, hostile creatures. Planet Sophie is now lined in sand with desert dunes in all places. It’s residence to lethal sandstorms and Upiors, requiring gamers to discover the ruins and buildings to search out any sources.

Gameplay

SAND: Raiders of Sophie is a first-person PVPVE extraction shooter with big mechs. The strolling big mech is what makes this sport distinctive from different extraction shooters. The large mech is called Trampler within the sport, and each participant will get one. Trampler is greater than only a strolling mech. It’s your fortress and base that you just management and handle all through the raid. Gamers can customise their Trampler via the editor with quite a few choices. Furthermore, higher parts for the Trampler might be unlocked from the Tech Tree. Buying these superior components requires Crowns and different sources you discover within the raid.

Presently, SAND: Raiders of Sophie contains two sport modes: Voyage Mode and Storm Dive. The Voyage Mode is the informal extraction expertise with no time-limit. Gamers can freely be a part of and extract as they please to collect essential sources for upgrades. Storm Dive is the place all the great things is, and it’s extra chaotic. It’s extra of a battle royale extraction sport mode, the place you must survive the closing sandstorm whereas in search of loot and extract on the finish of the match. This sport mode can go on for like an hour and often ends in a chaotic means, with survivors trying to gun down others.

Retaining your Trampler repaired all through a match is essential. Fixing the Trampler after each participant or AI Trampler encounter is advisable for survival. Though there are gunfights at shut vary, it may be jarring with gradual reload instances. Furthermore, limitations like carrying 2 weapons at a time can gradual you down in a raid. Other than the primary sport modes, there aren’t any in-game retailers or quests to comply with for lore or additional sources. A number of of the essential issues that this sport is lacking are bosses and occasions.

Sound and Visuals

The sound high quality of SAND: Raiders of Sophie is nice, retaining the general pressure with eerie silence and blazing cannon photographs. Furthermore, the 1910s-designed firearms have nice sound results, which counterpoint the general setting and environment. The general visuals of SAND: Raiders of Sophie are nice, highlighting the hazards of a abandoned planet. The forts and ruins on planet Sophie additionally improve the general historical past. Apart from that, the textures and fight animations are all nice. Nonetheless, throughout sandstorms and intense fights, it might trigger stutters and efficiency points, particularly on low- and mid-tier PCs.

Verdict 7/10

SAND: Raiders of Sophie is an efficient and distinctive extraction shooter that grants a Trampler to every participant. The flexibility to customise, management, and handle your Trampler whereas surviving the desert dunes on planet Sophie provides a singular style to the entire extraction shooter style. Though the sport fulfills the general generic guidelines of extraction shooters, there are nonetheless many essential options lacking at launch in Early Entry. Nonetheless, in case you are within the temper for a singular extraction expertise, SAND: Raiders of Sophie gives nice worth for $24.99.