Credits: Hologryph

Although April might seem like a quiet month for game releases, one announcement has caught my attention: the Early Access launch of SAND from a couple of Ukrainian studios. If you're looking for confirmation on more upcoming games this year, check out our list of confirmed game release dates for 2025.

SAND is a unique open-world PvPvE extraction shooter developed by Hologryph (Lviv) and TowerHaus (Kyiv), with publishing support from tinyBuild. These Ukrainian studios are no strangers to the gaming world, having worked on standout titles like Secret Neighbor, Party Hard, and more.

Set in a diesel-punk alternate history, the game takes players to the desolate planet Sophie. Once rich and inhabited, an ecological disaster left it a barren wasteland. Players control massive mechanical walkers, known as Tramplers, to explore this unforgiving world, gather resources, battle enemies, and uncover hidden riches.

The lore of SAND adds depth to its universe. It reimagines the early 1900s, where advancements in energy led to planetary colonization. Galicians—the inhabitants of a region in the Austro-Hungarian Empire—travel to Sophie to claim what they believe is their rightful share in this harsh, post-apocalyptic setting.

Key Features

• Trampler Customization: Players can design, build, and customize their Tramplers. These giant mechanical walkers serve as mobile bases, transportation, and primary defense. Players can modify compartments, weapons, and storage to suit their strategy.
• Expansive Open World: Sophie’s sprawling deserts are procedurally generated and filled with new cities, lootable ruins, and dangerous environments like minefields. There's always something to explore, but danger is constant.
• Thrilling PvPvE Combat: Battle rivals, undead NPCs, and environmental hazards. Engage in chaotic fights on foot or aboard your Trampler as you fight for survival and treasure.
• Multiplayer Focus: SAND supports groups of up to six players, encouraging teamwork and strategy as you trek across the dunes together. Coordinated efforts can turn the tide of battle and maximize exploration success.

SAND has created a noticeable level of interest and enthusiasm. Its demo was among the top 10 most played at the previous Steam Next Fest, and over 200,000 players participated in early playtests. It's not surprising because, a combination of diesel-punk aesthetics, strategic combat, and extensive world-building, SAND is shaping up to be a standout title.

Start of Steam Early Access set on April 3, 2025, so don't forget to add it to your wishlist.

TowerHaus is a game development and outsourcing studio based in Kyiv, Ukraine. It was founded in 2013 as Velcro Games and rebranded on August 3, 2023. They are co-developers of SAND and worked next to Hologryph on Secret Neighbor.

About Hologryph

Hologryph is a game development studio based in Lviv, Ukraine. They collaborate with tinyBuild to develop and expand on the publisher's key franchises. Their portfolio includes successful titles in the Party Hard and Hello Neighbor series. Most recently, they released Secret Neighbor, an asymmetric multiplayer game.

About tinyBuild

tinyBuild began as an indie game developer and has grown into a prominent developer-publisher. The company focuses on building long-term partnerships and supporting well-known franchises. This approach has led to successful collaborations with developers worldwide.

tinyBuild has released numerous games, including the Hello Neighbor series, Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners, and DUCKSIDE. While its headquarters are in the Seattle area, USA, the company operates globally, with studios located in the U.S., Netherlands, and Eastern Europe.