Legendary mangaka Akira Toriyama, character designer for Chrono trigger and creator of the Dragon Ball Series, deceased in March 2024. He was just 68 years old. Although he is now gone, publisher Bandai Namco shared a note that Toriyama wrote in January 2024 about the developer ILCAs Sandlandan action role-playing game based on the artist’s manga of the same nameand he “seriously” recommends you try the game.
The game’s official X/Twitter account posted the letter on April 24th. It says: Toriyama said that although he didn’t have the opportunity to see all of the gameplay, he could tell that it was a “highly satisfying action role-playing game”.
Toriyama praised the game for expanding the world he created in 2000, pointing to Forest Land, the new setting, which was “not in the manga” alongside some newly introduced characters.
My city Staff writer Claire Jackson agrees Sandland is praiseworthy. In their impressionsShe said the game was “beautiful”, particularly because of the dynamic between its main characters, and concluded that it was a great starting point for new things Sandland—and Toriyama– Fans.
You can read the full notice below:
I haven’t watched the entire gameplay yet. However, it significantly expands the worldview of the original manga with many new, exciting elements. As a standalone game it is of high quality and I can say that it is an extremely satisfying action RPG game!
Firstly, the graphics have an excellent balance between the atmosphere of the manga and its drawing style. The presentation looks great. The game is sure to give you an exciting experience with a real sense of design and attention to detail, from the many new vehicle designs to various customizations to the background design!
In the game there is not only the world of Sandland, but also a new world called Forest Land with new characters that were not in the manga. As Fiend Prince, you can enjoy a richer story and an extensive map to adventure with.
I can only play casual games myself, but I look at the trending games my family plays and I think even for an old man I know a little something about them. I can seriously recommend the game Sandland! – Akira Toriyama
