Screenshots & trailers
What players say
Why the number is what it is: aspect mentions counted across 300 sampled Steam reviews (274 positive / 26 negative), recent and most-helpful. Plain keyword counting, fully reproducible; nothing here is written by a machine.
What positive reviews talk about
- Story & writing49% mention it
- Grind & repetition13% mention it
- Combat11% mention it
- Bugs & crashes9% mention it
- Multiplayer & servers6% mention it
What negative reviews complain about
- Story & writing58% mention it
- Grind & repetition35% mention it
- Bugs & crashes27% mention it
- Multiplayer & servers19% mention it
- Controls & UI15% mention it
Satisfaction by hours played
Same score, different games: see how sentiment holds up the longer people play.
Under 5h
61%
18 reviews
5-15h
71%
28 reviews
15-40h
90%
29 reviews
40-100h
94%
66 reviews
100h+
97%
159 reviews
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 75 | 58 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 82 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 80 | 33 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 87% | 81 | 573 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 1, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 573 total reviews in window · weighted 221.6 up / 32.8 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (48)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Overall, My Time at Sandrock is a decent game that could be great with some further polish. If it gets another patch, $39.99 is a fair price, as there's lots to explore in this large, addictive game.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“My Time at Sandrock tugged at my heartstrings with its nostalgia for all life simulators. Although it’s strikingly reminiscent of the Story of Seasons series, it’s something a little different. Life in the desert is harsh and demanding, especially in a post-apocalyptic world. Here, though, it’s actually pretty laid-back, with endless possibilities. If you’re a fan of simulation games, endless crafting, chatty neighbors, and want to try out a mock wedding, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Plus, who hasn’t tried doing something with sandstone?”
read full review ↗ - 50
“My Time at Sandrock is a decent new entry in the farm sim genre, though not one that we'd say you need to play. To its credit, its mixture of open-ended farming, crafting, socializing, and questing is compelling and could easily drive dozens of hours of gameplay if it gets its hooks in you. However, everything My Time at Sandrock does has been done elsewhere, and better. Couple this with the mess of technical problems at launch, and you've got a game that has its draws but does very little to demonstrate that it's worthy of your attention. If you've already started and finished several farms across the likes of Stardew Valley, Harvestella, and Story of Seasons, and are looking for something new - and you're not too bothered by bland presentation and technical hiccups - then My Time at Sandrock could be a decent way to keep working the land. That said, we'd recommend you wait for a deep sale, ideally several months from now once time proves whether those patches ever come.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“My Time At Sandrock, despite its shortcomings, provides a satisfying town simulation experience that’s only held back by bland combat.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Despite a weaker presentation than contemporary titles and a last third that meanders without the urgency of what came before, the game is a pleasing experience and one that those with even just a passing interest in the life and crafting sim genre are likely to enjoy their time with.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“My Time at Sandrock is fun. The time I had while playing My Time at Sandrock, exploring its ruins and crafting all sorts of items to help the townsfolk was a worthwhile experience. But even more so, I just enjoyed it as a game that leaves me with a lot of fun memories as I delve into its intricate stories and relationships. It might not have the best combat system around but as a life simulation game, it does the job that it intends to do. So, if you’ve been meaning to scratch an itch left by your favourite life sim, this is one that has potential especially if you enjoy playing with friends thanks to its multiplayer.”
read full review ↗ - 72
“While this farming and life sim has some great characters and a very pleasant overall vibe it feels impaired on Switch”
read full review ↗ - 60
“My Time at Sandrock is not a bad game at all but the Switch version suffers a lot because of the technical issues.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“My Time At Sandrock is a life-simulator that manages to get the soul of a post-apocalyptic world correct while staying cheerful for the most part. The game, even in its current state is indeed something that can be enjoyed by people of every age. If you’re a bit bored of the lack of game releases in the second quarter of this year and want to pick up something that you can play for a while, My Time At Sandrock should certainly be on your radar.”
read full review ↗ - 82
“My Time at Sandrock is a refreshing and genre-bending game that offers an incredible richness to the player. I highly recommend this game to all gamers who love relaxing games and want to shape their own world on their own.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“My Time at Sandrock capitalizes on its status as a sequel by making numerous quality of life improvements to a familiar formula that are already evident despite the game still being in early access. While numerous elements are still in development, the groundwork that has already been laid is showing great promise for a release window of sometime in 2023 if Pathea Games holds true to their development window.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Despite the technical issues, My Time At Sandrock is a very engrossing game with a satisfying gameplay loop. The town and characters are very charming, and it's very easy to end up repeatedly saying "I'll just play one more day."”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Gaming Professors
Nintendo Life
eXputer
RPGamer
Invision Community
Nindie Spotlight
The Switch Effect
Gameffine
Atarita
Capsule Computers
NintendoWorldReport…and 36 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- My Time RestaurantApr 1, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Sandrock Online Update!Jan 23, 2025
- V1.4.2.1 Patch, Happy New Year!Dec 31, 2024
- 🎄Holiday Update Now Live! Happy Holidays!🎄Dec 24, 2024
- Sandrock Singleplayer V1.4.1.1 HotfixNov 25, 2024
- Sandrock Online V1.2.1 PatchNov 13, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Celebrating One Year of Adventures & Love Chronicle DLC Now Available!Nov 1, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- V1.4.0.1 Hotfix PatchOct 17, 2024
- Sandrock V1.4 Free Update is Now Live—Love Chronicles DLC Coming SoonOct 8, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Sandrock’s V1.4 Update Brings Fresh Romance on October 8!Sep 29, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Sandrock Online Mode V1.2.0 Cross-Play version updateJun 13, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- V1.3.1 Hotfix Patch & Free DLC Giveaway!Jun 5, 2024
- V1.3 Free Update & Monster Whisperer DLC Now LiveMay 28, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- DevLog: More About V1.3 Free UpdateApr 28, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- V1.2.3.1 Hotfix PatchMar 19, 2024
- V1.2.3 Graphic & Maintenance Update is Available on SteamMar 15, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Sandrock Graphic Patch Incoming!Mar 8, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Sandrock Devlog: Recent Work UpdateMar 1, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Sandrock V1.2.1.4 Hotfix is Out!Feb 22, 2024
- Hotfix Patch to V1.2.1.3Feb 7, 2024
- Chinese New Year Celebration Update is Available!Feb 6, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- V1.2.1 Singleplayer Monthly Maintenance and 1.1 Multiplayer Update are Live!Feb 1, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Version 1.2.0.2 Hotfix Patch is AvailableDec 28, 2023
- V1.2.0.1 Hotfix Patch is Out on PC!Dec 22, 2023
- Version 1.2 (The ‘New Year, Better Me’ Update) is Available NowDec 21, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- "New Year, Better Me" Update is Coming Soon!Dec 15, 2023
- Hotfix patch on Dec. 1, Ver. 4.1.2.4Dec 1, 2023
- Hotfix patch on Nov 28.Nov 28, 2023
- Hotfix patch on Nov 24.Nov 24, 2023
- Small hotfix patch to address known issuesNov 23, 2023
- Hotifx Patch on Nov. 16Nov 16, 2023
- Full Release marks the beginning of a new journey - Week 1 Dev LogNov 10, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Hotifx Patch on Nov. 10Nov 10, 2023
…and 5 earlier patch announcements.