Amidst the fame of Sand Land for its homage to Akira Toriyama's work and adrenaline-pumping vehicular battles, its melee combat and on-foot escapades feel like a misplaced endeavor. The melee combat lacks depth compared to the comprehensive vehicular combat system with its rich upgrade options. Surprisingly, Sand Land introduces a well-crafted stealth mechanism in its early missions, only to abandon it soon after.

Before acquiring their first vehicle, players navigate stealth missions with Thief and Prince Beelzebub, mastering simple yet effective mechanics like crouching and using cover to evade enemies. However, the promising stealth feature gradually diminishes, hinting at a potential unrealized due to possible development constraints.

Reimagining Sand Land with a Stealth Focus

If Sand Land had embraced a robust stealth system, it could have transformed its on-foot experiences, offering a compelling alternative to the vehicular chaos. The hit-or-miss melee combat could have been mitigated by emphasizing stealth, introducing a refreshing twist reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid.

With a dynamic day/night cycle and rest mechanics, strategic stealth integration could have added depth, requiring players to plan missions according to optimal timings. Diversifying missions through more stealth scenarios could have injected much-needed variety into the gameplay.

Unleashing Stealth Potential in Sand Land's Interiors

Despite Sand Land's vast desert landscapes favoring vehicular travel, its indoor settings like Grottoes, Ruins, and Military Facilities are custom-made for stealth operations, a feature often overlooked. While vehicles are encouraged even in these confined spaces, the game misses a chance to elevate on-foot gameplay through stealth tactics.

The intricate design of these interior areas provides ample cover and sneaking opportunities, aligning perfectly with stealth gameplay. Regrettably, the game prioritizes vehicular combat, neglecting the potential richness that a consistent stealth focus could have brought. The abrupt disappearance of stealth elements post-introduction leaves these indoor locations underutilized, hinting at a missed opportunity within Sand Land's game dynamics.