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My Time at Sandrock Review — Life Sim Meets Desert Adventure

/ Utah Gaming Lounge / By

My Time at Sandrock Review — Life Sim Meets Desert Adventure

Pathea Games’ sequel to Portia sets you in a dusty frontier town on the edge of collapse. This My Time at Sandrock review explores how the game balances cozy farming with survival, deep crafting with heartfelt relationships, and whether it truly improves on its beloved predecessor.

Last updated: 2025-10-26

Sandrock heroes overlooking the desert town with workshop and train in view
Image © Pathea Games — used for editorial coverage

Story & Setting

My Time at Sandrock drops players into a desert community on the brink of collapse. You arrive as the new Builder, tasked with restoring industry, helping villagers rebuild, and giving the town a future. Compared to Portia’s lush greenery, Sandrock’s arid climate gives the game a distinct tone: resilience, resourcefulness, and warmth amid hardship.

Characters are fully voiced, each with daily routines and personalities that feel richer than before. You’ll build relationships, uncover backstories, and slowly watch the town thrive again. The desert sunsets and dusty storms reinforce the atmosphere of rebuilding from the ground up.

Sandrock marketplace with colorful stalls and townsfolk gathered at sunset
Image © Pathea Games — used for editorial coverage

Gameplay & Systems

At its core, Sandrock is a crafting-driven life sim. You’ll gather wood, stone, and ores to complete commissions from the guild, construct machines for your workshop, and improve the infrastructure of the town. Farming, animal care, and cooking provide cozy variety, while dungeon delving and combat give bursts of action.

The desert environment adds unique twists: sandstorms that disrupt routines, resource scarcity that forces planning, and new tools like water conservation systems. Progression feels steady — though early hours can be grind-heavy until you unlock more blueprints.

Why It Shines

  • Deeper characters: Full voice acting and improved writing make villagers memorable.
  • Robust crafting: Expansive blueprint trees let you design machines and furniture your way.
  • Co-op mode: A first for the series, allowing shared workshops with friends.
  • Living world: Town events, festivals, and routines give Sandrock a vibrant pulse.
  • Atmosphere: The desert setting feels distinct and rewarding to master.

Where It Stumbles

  • Grindy start: Resource bottlenecks can slow the first 10 hours.
  • UI clutter: Menus remain dense, especially on consoles.
  • Inventory bloat: Items pile up faster than storage solutions can handle.
  • Performance hiccups: Occasional framerate dips on Switch and older PCs.

Player Experience

Sandrock strikes a balance between cozy and ambitious. It’s easy to sink into a routine of farming and building, yet combat and exploration provide a satisfying change of pace. The co-op mode expands longevity — few cozy sims let you share progress with a friend this seamlessly.

Fans of Portia will feel right at home, while newcomers may need patience during the opening grind. Once systems click, Sandrock becomes a rewarding rhythm of creation and connection.

Comfort Settings for Cozy Play

  • UI scaling: Adjust text and HUD for clearer readability on handhelds.
  • Camera options: Lower sensitivity and enable lock-on during combat.
  • Performance mode: Use prioritization settings on console to stabilize framerate.

Where to Play

🎮 Get on Switch 🎮 Get on PlayStation 🎮 Get on Xbox 💻 Get on PC

My Time at Sandrock FAQ

Is My Time at Sandrock worth playing?
Yes — it builds on Portia’s foundation with better writing, deeper crafting, and a heartfelt community.

How long is it?
Expect 80–120 hours for a full playthrough with relationships and side quests.

Does it have multiplayer?
Yes — online co-op lets you and friends build a workshop together.

Is it beginner-friendly?
It can feel grindy early, but pacing improves after the first few in-game weeks.

Final Verdict

This My Time at Sandrock review highlights a sequel that expands everything fans loved about Portia while carving its own identity in the desert. It’s cozy yet ambitious, heartfelt yet challenging at times. If you want a life sim that balances creativity, exploration, and narrative warmth, Sandrock is absolutely worth your time.

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