Edgar Alan Poe once said, “I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity". This is also the fate which falls upon us in Sand is the Soul. In the game's narrative it's known as the Sand Curse - a direct consequence of being able to organically process the Sand. It gives the accursed the ability to defy death, but it greatly affects his consciousness and psyche, making him slowly descend into madness. The more times you need to get "resurrected", the greater the impact on your sanity.
Monstrous hallucinations, grotesque apparitions and gory visions await you at the end of the road when your body becomes more and more contaminated by the Sand. Moreover, the people around you are very much aware of your state. It can be recognized in your voice and gestures. That's why they will react to you differently depending on your sanity. The real question is, however, are they really there or is it only your delusion trying to make contact?
Not only do you need to worry about slowly spiraling into insanity, but addiction to the Sand seems to be a noteworthy issue. Think of the Sand as a kind of morphine. Use it too much and your body will be struck by side effects which, in case of Sand, manifest in the form of blurred and distorted vision. Thankfully, there is a drug which can soothe your high called the Boltons Remedy. Though you cannot heal your distorted mind, the calming agents may help you stay focused or at least, more stable.
Adding Sand is the Soul to your wishlist will help us stay more stable and focused. And it's mutually beneficial, as you'll be up to date with any important news and announcements regarding the game!
Reap what you soul
"Everything we do has a result. But that which is right and prudent does not always lead to good, nor the contrary to what is bad." This quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a great starting point for better understanding the many diverse morality systems in Sand is the Soul. It's not only a matter of choosing one of a few colored endings or killing one NPC or the other. Each of your actions literally has its consequences and whether the outcome of your choices is good or bad, you decide on your own.
Sand is the Soul offers players complete freedom to venture wherever and do whatever they want.. There are no tutorials or hand holding. There's only the player, the game and the full immersion provided by the choices which will reflect his own personality. The morality of the decision is yours to judge. Nothing is universally good or evil.
Do bear in mind that what we have called a "karma" system has a significant impact on the gaming experience. Your good or bad deeds result in some NPCs becoming either friendly or hostile. One character will start hunting you while others will aid you on your journey. The safe havens will become battlegrounds and vice versa.
The moral intricacies of Sand is the Soul don't stop there! In some cases your doings can be seen as a crime which can impact your overall crime rate and make the game more difficult. There's also a system called foreknowledge which depicts the player's attitude towards the Nature. Not to mention all the romantic possibilities.
Sand is the Soul is not your average beat 'em up. It's a mix of soulslike mechanics with gameplay influenced by Golden Axe and the classic complexity of moral choices inspired directly by the Fighting Fantasy series of gamebooks by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson. That's why even the smallest action made at the beginning of the journey can have significant implications at the end of the road, driving you into one of the multiple story outcomes.
It's up to you to become a loyal diplomatic messenger or a wanted mass murderer with a thirst for power.
When trying to chat with the hunter, he will only acknowledge the hero with a bow, but after raising karma, he will opens up and grant tips and/or info on the lore. Due to our high Karma, the Mad Watcher will deliberately mislead us into a trap. It would be the opposite if our karma was low.
If you like our game, please add Sand is the Soul to your wishlist, to be up to date with all the future announcements.
SAND IS THE SOUL: 2D beat’em up RPG will kick your butt
The Souls-like label needs to die? Gibberish! Fat Dog Games and MGP Studios present Sand is the Soul, a unique mix of 2D side-scrolling beat’em up and action RPG.
When the world around is gloomy and unforgiving (and a little Victorian), a simple job of delivering an important depeche requires mastery of the gun and the sword. As a missionary of diplomatic status you arrive at the frontier between your homeland and the neighboring autonomy of Crosshill. What’s next is up to you. Do what you want, but be aware that your actions will have consequences which will lead you to one of over 20 game endings.
The world of Sand is the Soul is a living system with evolving timeline, characters and social structure. Some changes are present during your next playthroughs in New Game Plus mode.Above all, this is a game for hardcore players. It is unforgiving and demanding. You will be making fatal mistakes. You will be fighting, dying and trying again. It is a love letter to old school genres and game elements like in-game cheats - the better endings you get, the better unlockable cheats you will receive.
Players can already add Sand is The Soul to their Steam wishlists.
