My Time at Sandrock: Deluxe Edition

Whether collecting resources, building items, or passing the day away playing minigames with townies, My Time at Sandrock is a joy.

My Time At Sandrock takes every life sim feature under the sun and rolls them into a winning package.

It’s a game I could easily see myself winding down with during the evenings, ticking off my to-do list of tasks while wrapped up cosily. The music, the style, the brief thrill of finding rare components or clearing dungeons; it gives me the same feelings that Harvest Moon once did, but God damn, there’s a lot to be cracking on with at any given moment. With that in mind, I think it’s about time I return to Sandrock.

My Time at Sandrock is a decent new entry in the farm sim genre, though not one that we'd say you need to play. To its credit, its mixture of open-ended farming, crafting, socializing, and questing is compelling and could easily drive dozens of hours of gameplay if it gets its hooks in you. However, everything My Time at Sandrock does has been done elsewhere, and better. Couple this with the mess of technical problems at launch, and you've got a game that has its draws but does very little to demonstrate that it's worthy of your attention. If you've already started and finished several farms across the likes of Stardew Valley, Harvestella, and Story of Seasons, and are looking for something new - and you're not too bothered by bland presentation and technical hiccups - then My Time at Sandrock could be a decent way to keep working the land. That said, we'd recommend you wait for a deep sale, ideally several months from now once time proves whether those patches ever come.

My experience with Sandrock was so captivating that I ended up earning the platinum trophy in just under 100 hours. For four months, it was the only game I wanted to play. The blend of story, creativity, exploration, and community made it feel like a second home. If you’re a fan of life sims, building games, or just looking for a cozy escape, I can’t recommend "My Time at Sandrock" enough. It’s a standout title that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

My Time at Sandrock tugged at my heartstrings with its nostalgia for all life simulators. Although it’s strikingly reminiscent of the Story of Seasons series, it’s something a little different. Life in the desert is harsh and demanding, especially in a post-apocalyptic world. Here, though, it’s actually pretty laid-back, with endless possibilities. If you’re a fan of simulation games, endless crafting, chatty neighbors, and want to try out a mock wedding, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Plus, who hasn’t tried doing something with sandstone?

The potential is tantalizingly close to being realized. I still suggest buying but with the asterisk of a discount. I mean, I sunk 50+ hours because I do like it, but it’s just so forgettable.

My Time at Sandrock is not a bad game at all but the Switch version suffers a lot because of the technical issues.

Despite a weaker presentation than contemporary titles and a last third that meanders without the urgency of what came before, the game is a pleasing experience and one that those with even just a passing interest in the life and crafting sim genre are likely to enjoy their time with.

My Time at Sandrock is the perfect follow-up to My Time at Portia - building upon every solid idea from that first title, while also doing so much to give this new one a unique world and unique mechanics that set it apart from any other farm sim.