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.
All Reviews:
Mostly Positive (177) - 75% of the 177 user reviews for this game are positive.
Release Date:
Oct 21, 2021
Publisher:

Sign in to add this item to your wishlist, follow it, or mark it as ignored

Early Access Game

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.

Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“After 4+ years of development, we’re incredibly excited at what Sands of Aura has become so far. However, there comes a time in development when vital feedback from the community can help us shape the journey to come.

We’ve structured both SoA’s narrative and combat difficulty to play harmoniously in such a way as to allow us to release it in sections, such as for Early Access, so that we can exhibit the game to the public for feedback. By doing this, we can continue our process towards full release while also taking into consideration the incoming feedback from the players, allowing us to ensure the best experience possible.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Our current timeline projects a full release sometime in 2023. As with all projects, this date is tentative, and if things change we will make sure to let players know as soon as possible.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“Like working on a puzzle, we will be adding pieces with each major update such that at the end of Early Access, players will be able to experience the complete, finished story of the world of Talamhel. Features and story elements present in Early Access will feature in later patches of the game, which we are excited to show off going forward.

With each major content update there will be a save wipe. Upon the launch of 1.0, all players will begin the game at the same point from the beginning.
However, during early access players would be able to jump right into the latest content available by playing the 'Quick Save' file.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“As we enter our first release period, we feel confident in saying SoA is in a very solid state. Players can expect to play through the first portion of our adventure, with a full map to explore, dungeons to clear, side quests to complete, and a whole sea of sand to sail.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“Yes, the price of the game will increase when it launches into 1.0.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“As with every dedicated team, we feel the community feedback is vital for us to make the experience the best it can be. From combat mechanics to story choices, we want to hear everything our players have to say--because it’s so incredibly important for SoA’s ever-evolving journey into the game it deserves to be.

Please join our Discord to keep in touch with us and become part of this growing community! We’d love to hear from you!”
Read more
Check out the entire Freedom Games franchise on Steam

Buy Sands of Aura

 
See all discussions

Report bugs and leave feedback for this game on the discussion boards

Reviews

“Sands of Aura definitely has a lot of potential and Chashu Entertainment has a good game in the making.”
RPGamer

“One of the most intriguing aspects of Sands of Aura is its weapon crafting system. You can combine several weapon types, which determines your fighting style. You start with your weapon handle and then add different weapon types to it.”
VentureBeat

“And those massive seas of sand? You can sail across them on your very own sandship called a grainwake. That sounds awesome.”
PCGamer

About This Game





A ruinous cataclysm unleashed by a tormented god descended the world of Talamhel into perpetual night. The hourglass of time was shattered and its essence poured across the land, creating an endless sea of sand. The once-flourishing world of Talamhel became a putrid lesion of its former glory and those who called it home are now husks of corruption--violent, undying, unyielding soldiers of death.

But Talamhel is not lost--not yet. For generations, the righteous few have endured. You are one of those few.

On the eve of your induction into the Order of Remnant Knights, the last protectors of man, Talamhel is once-again wracked by calamity. The corruptive nature of the Night Plague has mutated, and the realm of man needs the Remnant Knights more than ever.

Track down the emergent evil and destroy it. Protect the realm of man.






From the helm of your nimble grainwake, carve across the perilous sandseas to confront the source of this newfound terror, but don’t expect a guiding light or a red X on a map. You’ll chart your own course forward--behold the open seas, and choose the heading you best see fit.

But familiarity is a far-flung concept aboard the grainwake--the shifting sands are always changing, revealing secrets, dangers, and paths unseen. Things are not as they seem…

  • Talamhel is an open world, free to explore and discover as you please
  • Every island is a unique, colorful encounter of combat, lore, and plunder
  • With tiered levels of difficulty, locations offer challenges that will reward those who overcome
  • With a trusted (undead) companion rested in the crow’s nest, you’ll never sail the seas alone






The corruption that plagues Talamhel has created a horde comprised of both man and other Talamhelic natives: The venerable Ferrum and the insectoid, hive-minded Hashara. Once warring nations have become an abominable army of undying malice.

From doomsday cultists to fallen kings, the foes that guard the answers you seek are determined to see your end. Prepare for an unrelenting, unforgiving combat experience not to be taken lightly. Swing true, dear knight, swing true.

With hundreds of weapon components to be reclaimed from the crumbled remains of civilization, there are thousands of unique weapons to be forged. Find the hilt that fits just right.

  • Cleave through the corruption with 7 distinct fighting styles
  • Bolster yourself with dozens of armor sets, each with their own unique defenses
  • Combine and modify your devastation with magical augments, creating a personalized build






Starspire is the sanctuary that you call home, and its doors remain open to those you deem worthy of its hearth. Along your journey, you will encounter refugees in need of shelter and a Remnant Knight can see they find it in Starspire.

Each person deserving of Starspire will make their new home stronger and safer, but not all are deserving.

Working as an optional companion to core gameplay, Starspire offers an opportunity to test your Remnant traits of leadership and judgment. The choices you make regarding Starspire’s residents will alter your story and affect your fate, as well as the fate of others--but only if you choose to make those choices.

  • New Starspire residents unlock perks like gifts of exclusive equipment and unique services
  • Discover the lives of others, their choices and actions, and decide their fate
  • Engage with characters unlike any you’ve ever met, and rebuild a community
  • Decisions not easily made: become familiar with the grey area between right and wrong




The symphony of the sands are brought to life with an evocative, soul-stirring soundtrack composed and produced by the incredible Eduardo Lopez.

Sands of Aura will feature a fully symphonic soundtrack, with a wide selection of instrumentation--from the haunting strings of the antique Viola Da Gamba to the resonant thunders of a professional Bulgarian choir.

These are the unforgettable sounds of Talamhel. The score of a wounded world.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10 (64 bit)
    • Processor: Intel i5-4440 / AMD FX-8370
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Nvidia GTX 960 / AMD R9 285
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 18 GB available space
    • Sound Card: DirectX 11 sound device
    • Additional Notes: These requirements may change during early access period.
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10 (64 bit)
    • Processor: Intel i5-8400T / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB / AMD RX 580
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 18 GB available space
    • Sound Card: DirectX 11 sound device
    • Additional Notes: These requirements may change during early access period.

More from Freedom Games

What Curators Say

31 Curators have reviewed this product. Click here to see them.

Customer reviews

Review Type


Purchase Type


Language


Date Range
To view reviews within a date range, please click and drag a selection on a graph above or click on a specific bar.

Show graph



Playtime
Filter reviews by the user's playtime when the review was written:



No minimum to No maximum
Display As:
Show graph
 
Hide graph
 
Filters
Excluding Off-topic Review Activity
Playtime:
There are no more reviews that match the filters set above
Adjust the filters above to see other reviews
Loading reviews...