Review based on the Steam version 0.6.4
Wet Sand is a game that stands out for its engaging story full of twists and turns. It blends a pirate atmosphere with elements of fantasy, keeping the player hooked, even when it leans on some clichés. You take on the role of a young thief who becomes a captain, embarking on a series of exciting adventures. Along the way, you'll meet a variety of characters that you can bring onto your ship (or not), while balancing the needs of the crew, winning their hearts, and avoiding a possible mutiny—all while pursuing your character's destiny. The protagonist, Fabian, breaks away from traditional heroes; he's more human and vulnerable, often feeling overwhelmed by the situations he faces, which makes him easy to relate to.
Gameplay
One of the great qualities of Wet Sand is that it feels smooth, unlike most sandbox games that can become repetitive. The game gives you the freedom to explore and interact with other characters in your own way. You have to make choices that affect your relationships with the crew, which keeps things interesting. Additionally, the mini-games are a major highlight! There’s a bit of everything: from a super strategic card game to a cave maze that really makes you think. These mini-games are well-designed and add a lot of excitement to the gameplay. And, for those who prefer to focus solely on the story, the game allows you to disable the mini-games, ensuring a more linear and narrative-driven experience.
Moreover, Wet Sand offers the option to disable explicit scenes, allowing the game to be played as a completely SFW experience. This is a great feature for those who want to enjoy the adventure and story without worrying about inappropriate content in certain environments.
Characters
The cast of Wet Sand is very charismatic. Besides Fabian, there are several supporting characters who are quite interesting, even if they are somewhat cliché. What’s great is that despite these archetypes, the interactions with them are fun and help build a good chemistry within the game.
Art and Design
The art is amazing, full of detail, with a style that brings to mind comic books from the 80s and 90s. It's the kind of visual that might not appeal to everyone, but it has a lot of character. The explicit scenes are not excessive but are spread out in a tasteful way. Unlike other games that overdo it and end up ruining the story with unnecessary explicit scenes, Wet Sand maintains a good balance, integrating these moments without disrupting the natural flow of the narrative. You can tell that the creators really put effort into this aspect.
Audio and Soundtrack
The music fits well with the game's vibe, adding a special touch to the most important scenes. However, there are a few tracks that don’t quite fit, playing at moments that feel out of place. This slightly breaks the immersion but doesn’t ruin the overall experience.
Length and Development
If there is one downside, it’s that Wet Sand is still in development. Just when the story gets really gripping, the game ends! It leaves you with that feeling of "I want more," you know? But it looks like the developer is releasing updates frequently, so it’s likely that more chapters and content are on the way.
Final Verdict
Overall, Wet Sand is a fantastic game for anyone who loves visual novels and adventure stories. I highly recommend it, especially for those looking for a great adventure game that also offers, as a bonus, well-integrated explicit scenes. However, if you’re someone who dislikes sandbox games or is just looking for explicit content and, above all, a harem experience, this game might not be the best fit for you. The option to disable explicit scenes and play in SFW mode is a great feature, making the game accessible to a wider range of players.
For now, I’d give it a
9/10, as the game has everything it needs to become a big hit if it continues at this pace!