Developer: Pathea Games
Publisher: Pathea Games, PM Studios, DMM Games
Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Tested on: PC
My Time at Sandrock – Preview
Three years ago we traveled down to the idyllic little town of Portia and got to know its colorful cast of inhabitants as we worked ourselves up to being the best farmer around. Players marveled at this game, and we gave it a great review here as well. With such good overall reception, it’s no wonder Pathea Games decided to expand on the project. Their new game My Time at Sandrock is set in the same post-apocalyptic world, though this time we’ll be traveling to a desert town that has quite a different feel to it than Portia. With the game currently in Early Access, we decided it was time to hop this train and see if we can strike gold in Sandrock.
At the start of the game, we arrive in the titular town of Sandrock after making our character. The town used to be thriving, but things have gone downhill lately. Since the previous builder of the town is leaving, you and a girl named Mi-an have been hired to take up that job. Starting with an almost empty workshop, you can farm and craft your way to making the town thrive again. You can also go on adventures, and the many residents will have a never-ending list of side quests for you to tackle. Those side-quests are also how you’ll be getting most of the story. Completing quests is the easiest way to learn more about the characters, their histories, and the interesting world this game is set in.
On a basic level, My Time At Sandrock doesn’t look too different from its predecessor, though you notice some improvement in the overall quality. The art style stays the same but looks just a little crisper. It should also be noted that the type of setting has drastically changed from a lush seaside town to a little desert commune. So the resulting feel of the graphics is still very different. Things like the UI look practically unchanged, just a little cleaner. Overall, this means the game is great to look at. The music is also still lovely. You’ll have a great soundtrack to enjoy, as there are really a lot of tracks for the game to cycle through. They fit the upbeat feel of the game and often change with in-game circumstances such as the weather and time of year. The game also has a full cast of voice actors for all the main characters. While not every single line is voiced, a big chunk of them are and the actors did a really good job adding some extra character to the town folk you meet.
My Time at Sandrock is an adventure game with both RPG and simulation aspects. When you start, you’ll probably be surprised at how much content is on offer – and perhaps it can even be overwhelming. Aside from the quests, the game doesn’t have a lot of goals except for the ones you set for yourself. Live your best life in Sandrock and see what happens. You’re only limited by the day-night cycle and your stamina which runs out if you never sleep.
As the town’s builder, you’re expected to craft and build things, which are sold through commissions to other residents. To do this, you need to collect resources, mostly by scrapping trash you find around the desert with your pick hammer. You can also farm your own stuff if you prefer that. And for the more action-driven among us, you can also go out and fight monsters. As you level, you become stronger and can explore further. With the money you earn, you’ll be able to expand and decorate your house, really turning it into a home.
Of course, a home wouldn’t be complete without a family. Sandrock is full of characters you can get to know, and you’ll build a friendship by talking to them daily. You can also give them gifts, play games, or spar with them. Romance can bloom with time and yes, marriage is still an option. As the seasons change, you can keep an eye on your calendar for special holidays and activities that only happen once a year in town. Overall, almost all the gameplay elements of the previous game have made a return, with a few additions being made for highly requested mechanics such as having your children age up with time and an online multiplayer that isn’t part of the Early Access yet.
Conclusion
While much might still change as the game heads towards a proper release, My Time at Sandrock is already shaping up to be a worthy second entry to the My Time at… series. With a whole new town to explore and a cast of new characters to meet, you can once again find bliss in this post-apocalyptic adventure that lets you set your own pace.
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