Sands of Destruction

 DS
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Jan 12, 2010
Sands of Destruction Image
Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

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  • Summary: Sands of Destruction, an epic RPG created by the all-star Japanese developers at ImageEpoc, takes you through an epic adventure in a world surrounded by a sea of sand. In Sands of Destruction, a race of powerful beastmen known as the Ferals rule over the human population with tyranny andSands of Destruction, an epic RPG created by the all-star Japanese developers at ImageEpoc, takes you through an epic adventure in a world surrounded by a sea of sand. In Sands of Destruction, a race of powerful beastmen known as the Ferals rule over the human population with tyranny and prejudice. A group of warriors, the World Annihilation Front, believe their only option for ending the corruption of the Ferals is to end the world as they know it. This intense game puts gamers in control of an intriguing cast of characters including the crusading Morte Ashera as well as Kyrie Illunis, who unknowingly holds the key to global destruction. Gamers will explore a fantastic world, traveling across oceans of sand, battling colossal enemy monsters and unraveling the mystery of the creation of the world. Immerse yourself in dynamic battles taking up both the top and lower screens of the DS and an epic storyline with a twist, in this action-packed fantasy RPG exclusively on the DS. [Sega]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 20
  3. Negative: 3 out of 20
  1. Nintendo Life
    80
    Sure the game is a bit on the linear side and the toned down difficulty might prove a tad easy for seasoned RPG fans, but if you can appreciate a well designed RPG experience that doesn't try to do more than it's capable of, you'll likely find Sands of Destruction right up your alley. What it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for with its unique charm and engaging storyline.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    76
    Though the game only lasts a dozen hours or so, and features mostly random battles, the story and the battle system make the experience worthwhile.
  3. RPG Fan
    75
    For undying JRPG fans, SoD might be another great experience, but overall, it is another meal for Mediocrity.
  4. Nintendo Gamer
    67
    A perfectly acceptable yet unremarkable RPG. [Mar 2010, p.61]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Worth Playing
    67
    By today's standards, Sands of Destruction falls well short of the benchmarks set by other top-tier RPGs. The entire experience takes a few steps down the path toward immortality, but then comes running headlong back into well-worn trail of every other JRPG before it.
  6. GamePro
    60
    Grind through this cheesy apocalypse story only if you're already a fan going into it.
  7. Gaming Age
    33
    Unsalvageable, it is what I hope was originally an honest attempt at a fresh breath of air in the handheld world of RPG's. Unfortunately something went wrong, as the developers really seem interested in their presentation and story, of which the latter could have really been more ignored for some refinement in the gameplay.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. raffy2110
    Jun 7, 2011
    10
    this is an awesome game i keep on wondering why its rated so low.i've never played chrono trigger before but i've seen a trailer of it,i canthis is an awesome game i keep on wondering why its rated so low.i've never played chrono trigger before but i've seen a trailer of it,i can tell that this game is a lot better than chrono trigger.how you fight in this game is easy,but what made me play the game was my curiosity that the main character can destroy the world,when i finished the game it totally satisfied me.i tell you,this game is worth your time and money.
    :D    … Expand
  2. DavidG
    Jan 13, 2010
    10
    Awesome game. A mix of Xenogears and Chrono Trigger/Cross. Buy it NAO!!
  4. christopherp
    Jan 15, 2010
    10
    Excellent game!If you are a fan of xenogears then this is a must play!Surprising amount of voice acting for a DS cart,not all of it great though.
  5. K_49
    Jan 15, 2010
    8
    Battle system has familiarities to xenogears, with new twists. The storyline is interesting, but its weird how the main character feels no Battle system has familiarities to xenogears, with new twists. The storyline is interesting, but its weird how the main character feels no remorse for blowing up his village ._.' Anyways, this is a pretty innovative JRPG because of its battle system. Above average game overall… Expand
  6. SalarymanDaishi
    Dec 21, 2010
    7
    A traditional fantasy JRPG that starts off a bit confusing, looks rather blocky, and has an unbalanced battle system. Yet, the story,A traditional fantasy JRPG that starts off a bit confusing, looks rather blocky, and has an unbalanced battle system. Yet, the story, characters, and humor are there so it ends up being a proper, delightful, old school adventure that lasts a respectable 20 hours or so.… Expand
  7. Magnvs
    Nov 4, 2010
    4
    Giving a game a low score is always sad, especially when it's a game with a lot of potential. Sands of Destruction, unfortunately, is a sadGiving a game a low score is always sad, especially when it's a game with a lot of potential. Sands of Destruction, unfortunately, is a sad excuse of the great JRPG it could have been. The plot's premises (a group of heroes out to destroy the world) could have been interesting in better hands, but sadly the characters' horrid dialogues and lack of characterization (mixed with a lack of concrete reasons to do what they are doing for 90% of the game, especially the main character) totally ruined any pathos the plot could have had (quite surprisingly, since the writer is Masato Kato). The shallow attempts at humour are not only unsuccessful, but also manage to further compromise the game's atmosphere. The setting is also quite unpolished: aside from the initial premises there is no effort to give it any life or credibility, making for a world not worthy the time to be saved or destroyed. And those aren't even the main issues: the battle system, sadly, is completely broken, with bugged turn order (the turn indicator is practically useless, since any monster will act multiple times in a row even when he wasn't supposed to have a turn, totally ruining any strategy), senseless damage fluctuations from turn to turn (an attack that does 1 damage could very well be a one-shot killer the next turn) and unbalanced attacks (the flurry combos, being ridiculously powerful, are the way to go, nor is there any practical reason to develop the characters in any other way). Sure, the graphics are nice and Mitsuda's OST while not a masterpiece is enjoyable, but Sands of Destruction is nonetheless a big disappointment.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best DS Game of 2010
26
#26 Most Discussed DS Game of 2010
23
#23 Most Shared DS Game of 2010