Sands of Aura is an open-world action adventure with a fantasy setting of a realm in its twilight--a world buried beneath a sea of sand. Sail across the sandseas to return life to a dying world in an unforgettable experience that is equal parts engaging story and unrelenting, souls-like combat.
Sands of Aura feels like a game with a lot of ambition that doesn't always land cleanly, but still manages to deliver a rewarding experience. The combat can feel a bit loose, the controls take time to adjust to, and parts of the story don't fully pay off, but the core loop of exploring, upgrading, and taking on increasingly difficult encounters works....
Sands of Aura is a great game, with many strengths and few weaknesses. It’s a game crafted with care and attention to detail, leaving no gaps or weak points. Its setting, soundtrack, level design, and combat are all top-notch.
The intention and concept are sound, but as far as execution is concerned (at least on the Switch), it is seriously substandard. The textures, the chaotic UI, and the unengaging storytelling—it’s just too much of a mess. By the time you finally get to explore by boat, you’ve practically lost all your motivation due to all these thorny shortcomings....
Overly dark, and looking downright awful in many regards, it offers up some challenges, but not without frustrations
Sands of Aura is not a disaster, and it is not a hidden masterpiece either. I came away respecting the ambition more than the actual play experience. There is a compelling world, a decent narrative frame, and moments of real atmosphere. But the game keeps undercutting itself with inconsistent defensive timing, uneven encounter behavior, and a progression...
