My Time at Sandrock vs. My Time at Evershine

From a series that has impressed the gaming scene with only two entries, having a new addition to the list is ultimately the go-to. Today, we shift the attention to the My Time game series. Two years after the successful release of My Time at Sandrock, Pathea is bringing us yet another addition, My Time at Evershine. From the general knowledge, the trilogy will host the greatness we know of the series while delivering some unique aspects to its name. But as it does so, how far can the upcoming entry go as compared to its prequel? Find the answer to this question through a comprehensive analysis of My Time at Sandrock vs. My Time at Evershine.

What is My Time at Sandrock?

My Time at Sandrock is a sandbox life simulation game with elements of action, adventure, and RPG. Notably, it is the second installment in the My Time series and is the sequel to My Time at Portia, also based on the same concept. 

This game is an elaborate life simulation, considering the wide variety of activities it features. The main activity involves rebuilding a run-down workshop to manufacture the items the town needs. Additionally, you can grow crops, build structures, go fishing, explore the open world, and interact with NPCs. Most notably, you can fight enemies in melee and ranged combat. Last but not least, you can enjoy diverse mini-games, such as dancing and racing. 

What is My Time at Evershine?

My Time at Evershine is the third installment in the My Time life simulation series. Like the other two games before, it is an elaborate life simulation that incorporates a host of activities. 

The main activity is a grand undertaking that involves developing and running a city-state. This entails a host of other activities, such as clearing land, collecting resources, and building structures. Other more common activities include socializing with characters, exploring the open world, and fighting off enemies. The game also promises multiple mini-games involving various activities. Besides the difference in the main activities, this game is an upgraded version of My Time at Sandrock. 

Story

Unlike most life-sim games, both Sandrock and Evershine are set in a post-apocalyptic world 330 years after the Day of Calamity. However, the world is not in ruins, as it has recovered from the nuclear winter. In contrast, it is beautiful and thriving with vegetation and animals. The only notable difference is the destruction of most of the old world’s technology. 

While both games share a background story, the real-time stories are different. Notably, My Time at Evershine features a more complex story than My Time at Sandrock.  

In My Time at Sandrock, you accept a new job offer to become the newest builder at Sandrock, a rugged city-state with a failing economy. Your responsibility is to help revive the local economy by building stuff, such as machines and buildings. Besides building stuff, you must also fight off monsters and wild animals threatening the community’s safety. 

My Time at Evershine is set three years after My Time at Sandrock. The story is more complex and even involves politics. Two prominent groups, the Duvos Empire and the Principality of Ethea, are in conflict over the ownership of the Orzu Ruins. The conflict creates tension in the Northern Eufaula region, located just north of the Alliance of Free Cities. As such, the Alliance plans to move more settlers into the region to develop another free city-state, thereby bolstering the region’s overall security. 

In the upcoming sequel, players take on the role of the Governor of Evershine Settlement, the new city-state planned by the Alliance. Your job is to clear the wild, build new structures, recruit settlers to make up a city, and govern the community. Other responsibilities include fighting off enemies sent to attack the settlers or derail your project. 

Gameplay

There is a host of fun activities to enjoy in My Time at Sandrock and My Time at Evershine. The main activities involve building and construction. My Time at Sandrock has you building machines to be used in the city’s manufacturing and processing industries. At the same time, the sequel offers the opportunity to build houses and other structures. 

On the other hand, My Time at Evershine takes building to the next level, requiring you to develop an entire city-state from scratch. Interestingly, the building system is also more flexible, as you can choose between piece-by-piece construction or prefabs. 

Apart from building, players also enjoy the adventure of exploring open worlds. Fortunately, this addition is available in both games. With the use of horses, players are able to traverse the vastness of both game’s universes with so much speed. My Time at Evershine takes another leap by allowing players to climb and glide anywhere, thus offering an aerial view of the beautiful 3D world. Notably, while most of the world appears as deserts and ruins in My Time at Sandrock, it is greener in My Time at Evershine. 

You can also interact with the NPCs in both games. My Time at Sandrock features over 30 NPCs. In contrast, My Time at Evershine features 20 general NPCs and eight core NPCs with whom you can form romantic relationships. All NPCs in both games have unique personalities and background stories that add new layers to the overall storytelling and gameplay experience. 

Interestingly, both games also feature a bit of action. My Time at Sandrock sees you fight against monsters and aggressive animals. However, My Time at Evershine sees you fight against ordinary people sent to derail your project. Both games’ combat systems incorporate melee and ranged attacks, and the movements are fluid. 

You can also enjoy a range of minigames for extra fun on the side in both games. The mini-games vary in design and include racing and dancing games. The gameplay difference in My Time at Sandrock vs. My Time at Evershine is not much but still worth to make players purchase the trilogy.

Finally, both games feature four-player co-op modes. As such, you can partner with friends and strangers to build stuff, fight enemies, explore, and do everything else. 

Verdict

Notably, My Time at Evershine shares several similarities with My Time at Sandrock but also a few notable differences. However, in the comparison of My Time at Sandrock vs. My Time at Evershine, one entry seems to be more superior. Essentially, it is an overall bigger and better version of the two first games. There are more and bigger structures to build, and the building system is more versatile. It also boasts better graphics and a bigger, more beautiful 3D world. 

So, what’s your take on our comparison of My Time at Sandrock vs. My Time at Evershine? Let us know on our socials here or in the comments below.