My Time at Sandrock

Last updated
My Time at Sandrock
My Time at Sandrock cover.png
Developer(s) Pathea Games
Publisher(s) PM Studios
Focus Entertainment (PC)
Engine Unity [1]
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: November 2, 2023
Genre(s) Farm life sim
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

My Time at Sandrock is a 2023 farm life sim developed by Pathea Games and published by PM Studios. It is the sequel to My Time at Portia .

Contents

Gameplay

Players control a new resident in a desert town. The setting, like My Time at Portia , is after an event that has destroyed previous civilizations and people have rebuilt society. My Time at Sandrock combines elements of farm life sims and role-playing games. Players build up the town, farm, gather resources, craft items, perform side quests, and explore both dungeons and the ruins of the old world cities. Combat is like My Time at Portia and uses hack and slash mechanics. Players can also make aimed shots with gun sights. Twenty-one characters are romanceable. The Windows version has cooperative multiplayer. [2]

Development

After it entered early access in May 2022, PM Studios released My Time at Sandrock for Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, and Switch on November 2, 2023. PlayStation 4 support is planned for later. [3] Focus Entertainment published the PC version of the game. [4] The studio planned to release downloadable content packs in 2024. [5]

Reception

Early access

Rock Paper Shotgun 's review of the early access released in 2022 described it as "a compelling and lusciously detailed life simulator" and praised the gameplay loop. [6]

Release

On Metacritic, My Time at Sandrock received positive reviews for Windows and PlayStation 5, and the Switch version received mixed reviews. [7] Despite some technical issues, IGN called it "a joy" and better in almost every way than My Time at Portia. They found the dungeons and combat a bit basic but said the rest of the game makes up for them. [2] Nintendo Life called it "reasonably enjoyable" but criticized the graphics, performance issues on the Switch, software bugs, and what they felt was "a lack of a distinct identity". However, they said patches had fixed some of the technical issues since the launch. [8] Nintendo World Report also experienced performance issues on the Switch but recommended it on the strength of its gameplay loop and enjoyable world. [9] VG247 said it combines the best parts of Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley . Although they felt the concept is not new, they praised the characters, story, and gameplay. [10]

Related Research Articles

<i>Darkest Dungeon</i> 2016 video game

Darkest Dungeon is a roguelike role-playing video game developed and published by Red Hook Studios. The game was first released for Microsoft Windows and OS X in January 2016, which followed a year-long early access development period. Later that year, it was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Linux, with a port for iOS being released in 2017, and ports for Nintendo Switch and Xbox One being released by 2018.

<i>Everspace</i> 2017 video game

Everspace is a 3D space shooter with roguelike elements developed and published by German studio Rockfish Games. It was released in 2017. A sequel, Everspace 2 was released in 2023.

<i>City of Brass</i> (video game) 2018 video game

City of Brass is a single-player first-person dungeon crawl video game, set in a procedurally generated, Arabian Nights-themed city of interconnecting corridors, courtyards and rooms. Players assume the role of a thief, fighting to reach a treasure hidden in the heart of a mythical city filled with traps and enemies. It was developed by Australian independent video game studio Uppercut Games and was announced on 6 July 2017 as being in development for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The Windows version was released on Steam via its Early Access program on 18 September 2017.

<i>Human: Fall Flat</i> 2016 video game

Human: Fall Flat is a puzzle-platform game developed by No Brakes Games and published by Curve Digital. It was initially released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux in July 2016, and received ports for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, and iOS and Android over the next several years.

<i>My Time at Portia</i> 2019 video game

My Time at Portia is a 2019 farm sim game developed by Chinese studio Pathea Games and published by Team17. It has some similarities to other farm sims like Stardew Valley.

<i>My Friend Pedro</i> 2019 video game

My Friend Pedro is a shoot 'em up video game developed by Swedish developer DeadToast Entertainment and published by Devolver Digital. The game was released for Nintendo Switch and Windows on 20 June 2019 and for Xbox One on 5 December 2019. A PlayStation 4 port of the game was released on 2 April 2020. My Friend Pedro is based on an Adobe Flash game named MFP: My Friend Pedro that was released by Adult Swim Games in 2014.

<i>Car Mechanic Simulator 2018</i> 2017 video game

Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 is a simulation video game developed by Polish studio Red Dot Games depicting the work of an automotive mechanic. It was released on July 28, 2017, for Microsoft Windows; in 2019 on February 15 for Nintendo Switch and June 25 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. A simplified version for mobile platforms was released in June 2018. The game is the third in the Car Mechanic Simulator series, following Car Mechanic Simulator 2014 and Car Mechanic Simulator 2015, the game is the predecessor of Car Mechanic Simulator 2021, which was released on August 11, 2021.

<i>Boyfriend Dungeon</i> 2021 video game

Boyfriend Dungeon is a dungeon crawler-dating sim developed and published by Kitfox Games. Taking place in an urban fantasy setting, the player character must fight through dungeons with the help of a human partner who can transform into a sentient weapon. Outside of dungeons, the player can date their partner in visual novel-style sequences that increase their power in combat. It was released for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows on August 11, 2021, followed by a PlayStation 5 version on February 14, 2023.

<i>WWE 2K Battlegrounds</i> 2020 professional wrestling video game

WWE 2K Battlegrounds is a professional wrestling video game developed by Saber Interactive and published by 2K on September 18, 2020. A spin-off to the WWE 2K series and a part of the Playground Sports series, Battlegrounds is a fast-paced, arcade-style fighting game; similar in format to Saber's previous games, NBA Playgrounds and NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.

<i>Warsaw</i> (video game) 2019 video game

Warsaw is a turn-based tactical role-playing video game developed and published by Polish studio Pixelated Milk, featuring art by Polish comic book artist Michał Śledziński. It was released for PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One on 2 October 2019, and later for PlayStation 5 on 12 November 2020.

<i>The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom</i> 2023 video game

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a 2023 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The player controls Link as he searches for Princess Zelda and fights to prevent Ganondorf from destroying Hyrule. Tears of the Kingdom retains the open-world gameplay and setting of its predecessor, Breath of the Wild (2017), and features new environments including the Sky, an area composed of floating islands, and an expansive cavern beneath Hyrule known as the Depths. The player has access to various devices that aid combat or exploration, and which can be used to construct vehicles.

<i>PowerWash Simulator</i> 2022 video game

PowerWash Simulator is a simulation video game developed by FuturLab and published by Square Enix Collective. Players take control of a power washing business and complete various jobs to earn money. Gameplay primarily revolves around using a power washer to clean dirt off of objects and buildings. The game was first made available in early access through Steam on 19 May 2021, and was fully released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on 14 July 2022. Further ports for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, were for a 31 January 2023 release. A standalone VR port titled PowerWash Simulator VR for Meta Quest 2, 3 and Pro models was released on November 2, 2023.

<i>Night Call</i> (video game) 2019 video game

Night Call is a 2019 noir-inspired adventure video game, co-developed by MonkeyMoon and Black Muffin, and published by Raw Fury. It was released worldwide on July 17, 2019, for PC platforms, and on June 24, 2020, for Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch. In Night Call, player assumes the role of a Parisian taxi driver who survived the actions of a serial killer, and is compelled to solve a murder mystery following his awakening from a coma. Aside from pursuing interactions with the driver's passengers as the conceit behind the investigation, the gameplay of Night Call also incorporates aspects of a management simulator, which reflects Houssine's need to make a living as a taxi driver.

<i>Rogue Legacy 2</i> 2022 video game

Rogue Legacy 2 is a platform video game developed and published by Cellar Door Games. It is the sequel to 2013's Rogue Legacy, and the game was released for Windows via early access in August 2020. The full version was released in April 2022, for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, followed by a Nintendo Switch port in November. The game was released for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in June 2023.

<i>Sludge Life</i> 2020 sandbox videogame

Sludge Life is an indie first-person video game oriented toward graffiti. The game was designed by musician Adam "Doseone" Drucker and artist Terri Vellmann following their release of High Hell on Devolver Digital. Sludge Life was released in 2020 for free for the first year. It has been released along with a soundtrack EP and digital album.

<i>Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising</i> 2022 video game

Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a 2022 action role-playing game developed by Natsume Atari and published by 505 Games. Rising is the first game to be released in the Eiyuden Chronicle series, considered to be a spiritual successor to the Suikoden series.

<i>Bear and Breakfast</i> 2022 video game

Bear and Breakfast is a 2022 management sim video game developed by Romanian studio Gummy Cat and published by Armor Games. It was released on 28 July 2022 for Microsoft Windows, with a Nintendo Switch version released on 15 September. The game follows the exploits of Hank, a bear who opens a bed and breakfast. Its gameplay mixes elements of classic management games with narrative passages and branching dialogues.

<i>Megaquarium</i> 2018 video game

Megaquarium is a business simulation game developed and published in 2018 by Twice Circled.

Farm life sims are a subgenre of life simulation games which fuse social simulation, dating sim and farm simulation elements. The games generally feature a protagonist going out to a rural setting and taking upon a farm, oftentimes because of an inheritance from a deceased relative, or because of urban boredom. The player-character grows crops and raises livestock to make money, and can interact with a wide cast of characters who are inhabitants of the town, and work toward the main plot's objective, if one exists. The game plots often featured dying ghost towns that must be revitalized by the player's actions.

<i>Minekos Night Market</i> 2023 video game

Mineko's Night Market is a 2023 business simulation video game developed by Meowza Games and published by Humble Games for Windows and Switch. Players control a young girl tasked with revitalizing a local market.

References

  1. Farinha, Diego (2022-07-22). "Integrating NVIDIA Reflex: Q&A with Pathea Head of Technology Jingyang Xu". Nvidia . Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  2. 1 2 Sanchez, Miranda (2023-11-09). "My Time at Sandrock Review". IGN . Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  3. "My Time at Sandrock". Gematsu. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  4. "Focus partners up with Pathea Games and becomes the publisher of My Time at Sandrock on PC". Focus Entertainment. February 28, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  5. Hussain, Mudassir (2023-12-03). "My Time At Sandrock Sequel May Surprise Fans, Says Dev". eXputer.com. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  6. Hogarty, Steve (2022-05-23). "My Time At Sandrock early access review: a wild west life simulator that does it all". Rock Paper Shotgun . Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  7. "My Time at Sandrock". Metacritic . Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  8. Vogel, Mitch (2023-11-01). "My Time at Sandrock Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life . Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  9. Corbran, J. P. (2023-11-02). "My Time At Sandrock (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  10. Raynor, Kelsey (2023-11-01). "My Time at Sandrock review: A tight, content-packed life simulator that won't disappoint fans". VG247 . Retrieved 2023-11-19.