Sandwalkers PS5 Review - Survive the Storms in This Roguelike Desert Odyssey

Sandwalkers, developed by Goblinz Studio and published on PlayStation 5 by Red Art Games, is a turn-based roguelike exploration and survival strategy game. It centers on guiding caravans of anthropomorphic animal adventurers across a hostile, climate impacted fantasy world in a bid to restore balance and find a path forward for isolated tribes.

The core premise involves the Mka tribe dispatching a caravan into the Phithi, a wasteland of varied weather events, and sand that isolates the Uwando tribes making life outside tree-city refuges difficult. In-game players manage a small team of explorers whose mission is to establish trade and diplomacy, reclaim lands from enemy inhabitants, plant new tree cities as safe havens, and ultimately work toward resurrecting the Mother Tree Umama. 

In terms of plot, the narrative unfolds across repeated expeditions rather than through a single linear campaign. The world is one of decline following the death or failure of Umama, leading to desertification and isolation. Each caravan’s journey reveals more of the lore, the causes of the Phithi, and opportunities for lasting change wherein choices in diplomacy, exploration of ruins, hunting, or resource gathering can influence subsequent runs and the broader state of the tribes. The story focuses on hope, legacy, and ongoing progress amid hardship, with an added focus on world-building and the cultural details of the various anthropomorphic peoples. 

The Gameplay ...

Gameplay in Sandwalkers is built around assembling and managing a caravan of typically up to four characters, each with distinct classes, powers, jobs, and stats that affect combat and survival. Exploration occurs on a hex-grid map of varied hostile landscapes where you gather resources, manage inventory, handle weather effects that alter movement and combat outcomes, visit shelters, trade, and pursue diplomacy or more aggressive paths. Combat is turn-based and tactical in nature. During combat units face off with abilities involving attacks, healing, shields, energy management, and exploiting weaknesses. Resource and caravan management, upgrades, and decision-making are central to this gameplay loop.

The roguelike structure included in this is part and partial of the Sandwalkers experience. Individual expeditions can end in failure or death, but knowledge, memory points, and permanent upgrades carry over to the next caravan. This creates constant progression that lets you push farther and unlock more of the world and story over multiple runs. Objectives revolve mostly around surviving the environment and threats, completing quests, planting tree cities, forging alliances, recovering memories, and advancing the overarching goal of repairing the climate and ending the cycle of isolation and wandering. Weather is a constant mechanical factor, and player choices shape future expeditions.

The Presentation ...

The graphic design of Sandwalkers features high-quality, atmospheric pixel art that brings the desolate yet distinctive fantasy world, characters, and environments to life with strong visual character and a dark-fantasy desert aesthetic. The soundtrack, composed by T05, consists of atmospheric tracks that complement the tense, exploratory, and sometimes melancholy tone of the wasteland journeys.

The Verdict ...

Sandwalkers is an engaging experience for fans of the genre, with solid turn-based combat, meaningful exploration, and a rewarding sense of legacy progression that encourages repeated attempts. Replay value is high, in this regard, thanks to the roguelike structure, permanent unlocks, varied character builds, procedural or semi-randomized elements, and branching choices that affect later expeditions. Overall it delivers an interesting experience if you connect with its pace and themes.

Sandwalkers is a game best suited for players who enjoy turn-based tactical combat, roguelike progression, resource/caravan management, and narrative-driven exploration in a unique fantasy setting. It will particularly appeal to those who like pixel art, weather/environmental mechanics as meaningful gameplay factors, and stories of hope against a harsh world.