A new game from the mind of Akira Toriyama called Sand Land is in the works, and it might just be better than a new Blue Dragon sequel would have been. Revealed at the Summer Game Fest 2023, this new game from the mind of the Dragon Ball creator brings players to a post-apocalyptic desert infused with a cartoony style and spirit. Sand Land is based on a manga of the same name, which boasts both vehicular action and hand-to-hand combat that the video game brings to life for the first time.
Akira Toriyama is no stranger to the world of video games, with his character design for major titles like Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger accompanying adaptations of his work that range from a niche Dr. Slump game to a long succession of popular Dragon Ball Z fighters. Blue Dragon is one game utilizing his art that ultimately faltered as a franchise, with the planned Blue Dragon 2 getting canceled in the planning stages. Many fans of the first game have long been frustrated with the disappearance of the series, but Sand Land makes for an even more exciting project.
Blue Dragon Sequels Haven't Lived Up To The Original
Although a true Blue Dragon 2 never made it to shelves, a couple of follow-ups to the first game released for the Nintendo DS. Blue Dragon Plus took a real-time strategy approach to the gameplay, while Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow transitioned to an action RPG format. Both of these games followed up chronologically on the first, with Plus taking place one year after Blue Dragon and Awakened Shadow slotting in one year after Plus. Each faced a mediocre reception compared to the original game's acclaim. Trying to regain the charm and fun of the first title while following up on a series of letdowns would be an uphill battle against dubious odds.
Sand Land Could Be Fresher Than A Blue Dragon Sequel
Although Sand Land isn't a new story, it is new to the world of gaming, and the potential that it holds is an exciting well that hasn't previously been tapped. Fans of the short-lived manga can see beloved characters and designs come to new life, and players previously unfamiliar with the story can jump into a memorable world primed for mayhem. The dynamic energy of Sand Land should make for exciting, fast-paced gameplay, providing a potential introduction to Akira Toriyama's work for gamers who don't gel with the turn-based combat approach that Blue Dragon saw success with.
It's still possible that a Blue Dragon 2 will happen someday, and the relative failure of past follow-ups doesn't necessarily mean that a full-fledged sequel couldn't right the course. Not every series has to last forever, however, and the original game successfully stands alone as a fun RPG experience that fans can always revisit to experience anew. Blue Dragon might be warming the bench for now, but gamers looking for a new game featuring Akira Toriyama's distinct style should be able to happily place their hopes in Sand Land.
