Users wrote

Reviewers consistently note Sands of Salzaar as an ambitious open-world game with Mount & Blade-like sandbox gameplay and a desert setting. Many praise the depth of faction management, hero recruitment, and the modding scene that adds variety. However, they also point to numerous bugs, rough translations, and unclear early guidance that hinder the experience. Overall, it is seen as a game with strong potential that is sometimes held back by unfinished stability and quality issues. Fans of MB-style open-worlds may enjoy it, while others may be deterred by the technical flaws.

Last updated: 2026-03-09

Most Mentioned Advantages

• Huge open world with sandbox freedom (22 mentions) - Players roam a large desert world with real freedom to play how they want. You can recruit soldiers, form a party of heroes, and capture towns. The world changes based on your actions and different factions react to you. There are many playstyles, including war, trade, and city building. This sandbox freedom is a common highlight in reviews.
• Mount & Blade-like combat and kingdom management (18 mentions) - The game feels like Mount & Blade in a fantasy desert setting. You recruit troops, command armies, and siege towns. You also manage cities, economies, and faction relationships. There are heroes with unique abilities that influence battles. The overall vibe appeals to players who enjoy large-scale strategy and open-world campaigns.
• Rich roster of units, heroes, and deep skill trees (13 mentions) - There are many classes and heroes to recruit, each with their own stories and skills. The skill trees and talents let you customize your playstyle and builds. You can develop both your main character and followers, creating varied playthroughs. The depth of progression encourages experimentation and replay.
• Strong modding and workshop support (9 mentions) - Official and community mods are a big part of the game. The Steam Workshop and user-made content add new units, quests, and balance tweaks. This extends the game's life and lets players tailor experiences.
• Distinct art style and desert atmosphere (8 mentions) - Artwork is hand-drawn with a unique look that fits the desert setting. The visuals and atmosphere stand out among strategy and RPG games. It helps immersion even when other parts are rough.

Most Mentioned Disadvantages

• Lots of bugs and performance issues (40 mentions) - Many reviews report bugs and crashes that interrupt play. There are frequent performance problems on open maps and during battles. Some players experience long loading times and stuttering. These issues impact the overall experience, especially in late game.
• Unclear guidance and weak early tutorials (20 mentions) - Several reviews say there is a lack of beginner guidance and vague quest markers. The game often expects players to discover things themselves. This can make early hours slow and confusing.
• Balance and progression feel grindy or unfinished (20 mentions) - Many reviews mention balance issues, with some builds overpowering others. The late game can feel grindy or repetitive. Some systems seem underdeveloped or unpolished, making progression less rewarding.
• Combat feels weak or clunky (18 mentions) - Some players report poor hit feedback, awkward controls, and a combat system that doesn't feel satisfying. Auto-battle and pathfinding issues can frustrate battles. Overall, fights feel loose rather than tight.
• Localization problems and translation gaps (15 mentions) - Several language versions are not fully translated and some text relies on machine translation. The translation quality varies and can break immersion. UI is sometimes unclear due to language gaps.

Compared Games

• Mount & Blade (Bannerlord) (60 mentions) - Frequently compared to Mount & Blade (and Bannerlord), due to army management, sieges, and sandbox traits in a fantasy desert setting.
• Kenshi (25 mentions) - Often likened to Kenshi for open-world freedom and faction dynamics, with a more MMO-like vibe in some aspects.
• Wartales (8 mentions) - Sometimes compared to Wartales for its open world and strategy elements within a sandbox frame.
• Battle Brothers (6 mentions) - Mentioned as a similar tactical and sandbox experience, especially in large-scale world play.