Fallout meets Mad Max in beautiful new open-world RPG

It was always going to be hard to follow 2023’s release line-up but I have to say, 2024 is already off to a stellar start.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Tekken 8, Helldivers 2, Palworld, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth just a few of the games to already have dazzled us.

With Dragon’s Dogma II, Rise of the Ronin, and Princess Peach Showtime set to land imminently, and titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Avowed set for launch later this year, 2024 isn’t looking at all shabby.

But major AAAs, and even AAs, aside, what indie delights will the year bring us? Well you might want to turn your attention to the very intriguing Sand.

In this PvPvE team-based third-person shooter, players find themselves plonked in a vast desert, surrounded by hostile anomalies - and, of course, enemy players. It’s equal parts Mad Max and Fallout, with those walking vehicles echoing what you might find in Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed Howl’s Moving Castle.

Take a look at the trailer for Sand below.

“In Sand players are thrust into desolate deserts of the fallen planet Sophie, embarking on a quest to uncover resources and treasures. To navigate this harsh terrain efficiently, players are provided with the ability to design and modify their own Trampler, a walking mech capable of traversing the islands that were once submerged beneath a vast sea. Your Trampler is your base,” the synopsis teases.

As your base, your Trampler will be a key feature. It allows you to both explore and store loot - and yes, you can customise its interior and kit the vehicle out with upgrades.

Sand’s story follows an alternate timeline where humankind had made significant developments in space exploration.

“The Austro-Hungarian Empire led the way in conquering other planets, but a mysterious ecological disaster struck planet Sophie, forcing its settlers to hastily leave behind a once-resource-rich world. Motivated by desperation, the bravest and most impoverished individuals from the empire now journey to planet Sophie, seeking to test their fate, uncover hidden riches in the barren wastelands, and profoundly change their lives,” the description adds.

It’s an incredibly intriguing premise. Unfortunately, that’s about all we have to go on at this point in time but we’ll be keeping a close eye on Sand’s progress, including any release date or playtesting announcements.

You can wishlist Sand on Steam now.