Susan Jessica\Building things, tearing them down, and starting over. Sounds fun, right? That’s basically my relationship with Sandboxels—a game where I thought I could create the next Eiffel Tower, but ended up destroying the virtual world piece by piece. Anyway, here’s the kicker: I went from novice builder to expert destroyer in record time. Let’s get into how I tried to build… and destroyed everything in the process.
A New Playground: Sandboxels
You know how some games give you a tiny sandbox to play in? Well, Sandboxels is more like if the entire beach was yours to shape and dig into, except it’s all digital. The whole world is a blank slate, and you’ve got everything at your disposal. Build what you want. Break what you want. No rules, just straight-up creative chaos.
When I first dove into Sandboxels, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, except instead of toys, I got a world filled with building materials, gadgets, and yes—destruction tools. My first project? A castle. But before I go into that, let me tell you about the basics.
Starting With the Basics: What is Sandboxels?
Okay, so you know those sandbox games where you can construct anything? Well, Sandboxels is that, but on steroids (in the best way possible). It’s got all the tools to design, create, and mess around with any structure or environment you want. Think of it like Minecraft meets a physics simulator, where your creations and destruction are only limited by your imagination. But here’s the catch—everything you create can also be destroyed. Fast forward past three failed attempts, and here I am, with an almost unhealthy obsession with blowing things up.
Building in Sandboxels: The Basics of Creation
I started small. Real small. The first thing I ever built in Sandboxels was a little hut—nothing fancy. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t a grand achievement. I’d like to pretend I went all in with a sprawling metropolis, but nah. The hut. That’s how I eased into it.
Now, the fun part. Sandboxels gives you different materials to work with. Stone. Wood. Metal. Each one has its own properties. Some materials are tough. Others? Not so much. Here’s a funny thing—I once tried to build a bridge out of water. Spoiler: It didn’t go well. You need to know the basic properties of what you’re working with—or you’ll end up like me, attempting to create floating islands with zero logic. Not my proudest moment.
- Materials, Materials, Materials: You can create anything with these, from sturdy stone to fragile glass. But trust me, some materials are best left untouched unless you’ve got a clear plan. You don’t wanna go using, say, tinfoil to hold up a skyscraper. (Yes, that was me. Y’all can laugh.)
- Tools of the Trade: The tools available were the real game-changer. You can dig, build, move things around. There’s even a tool to terraform whole landscapes. I went a little crazy with that one. Imagine a bulldozer crossed with a magic wand. Not a good combo when your primary goal is to destroy everything.
Lessons from the Ground Up
I remember the first time I built something decent. It was a little bridge over a river. You’d think I’d built the freaking Golden Gate from the way I was celebrating. But then—uh oh—disaster struck. I was so proud of that bridge. Then I decided to test how much stress it could take.
My first mistake? Too many explosive barrels underneath it. I should’ve known better. The second I detonated them, my beautiful bridge collapsed into the river, never to be seen again. Sandboxels isn’t just a creative platform—it’s a reminder that one wrong move, and your masterpiece is gone. And the worst part? I didn’t even get the satisfaction of watching it crumble slowly. It was like a total failure in slow-motion.
Destroying in Sandboxels: Where the Chaos Happens
Okay, now here’s the real fun part: Sandboxels doesn’t just let you build. It encourages you to destroy. And, let me tell you, it gets addicting. Like that time I was casually trying to blow up a treehouse (don’t ask). It was a complete mess.
- Testing the Limits: At first, I was gentle with the destruction tools. A little earthquake here, a small bomb there. But soon enough, I was dropping the nuke. Spoiler: It never ended well. I tried to “test” a city I built by unleashing a flood. Let’s just say that the cleanup wasn’t easy.
- Destruction Tools: From bombs to earthquakes, Sandboxels has got every tool to make your creations come crashing down. I swear, one time, I dropped a grenade in my own castle just to see how fast it would collapse. (Hint: It was instant. Not even my walls could handle it.)
- Mistakes of Over-Destruction: At some point, I realized I had become a little too obsessed with destruction. I was building something, then immediately thinking, “What if I broke this?” It got to the point where I didn’t care about what I created anymore. I was just chasing that sweet, sweet chaos of seeing everything fall apart. But honestly? It got boring. And here’s the thing about over-destruction: You lose the fun of creation when you’re only focused on breaking things.
Why Destruction Was So Satisfying
Look, I get it. Destroying things in games is, like, a primal urge. There’s something wicked fun about blowing up a wall you spent hours building. It’s a little like when you’re walking around with a hammer and you just wanna knock stuff over. But in Sandboxels, destruction feels different. You’re not just smashing things for no reason. You get to experiment with physics, test materials, and learn from your failures.
And the best part? You get to keep doing it. There’s no consequence—unless you count having to rebuild things. But hey, that’s just part of the cycle.
Learning to Build Again: The Redemption Arc
Fast forward a few “destruction therapy” sessions, and I realized something important: I missed building. I got so caught up in wrecking things that I forgot how satisfying it is to create something from scratch. So, I decided to get back to it—this time, with a little more intention.
- Rebuilding with Purpose: I didn’t want to just build and blow up for kicks. I wanted to design something functional, like, say, an entire village. So, I started small—again. I laid down some stone paths, planted a few trees, and added a town hall. It was simple, but it felt real. No explosives. No earthquakes. Just me, the tools, and a vision.
- Appreciating the Process: And, honestly? It felt nice. I had to think more about how things were connected. What would happen if I built something too heavy in the wrong spot? Could my village survive a storm (hint: it couldn’t, but that’s for another day)?
- The Importance of Failure: Sure, I made mistakes. Some of my designs were a little… questionable. I built a windmill that looked more like a drunken paper airplane than a functional machine. But each mistake was a lesson learned, and that’s what kept me going.
The Final Verdict on Sandboxels
So, what did I learn from all of this? Simple: Sandboxels is all about balance. You can build or destroy, but you can’t do one without appreciating the other. The game gave me the chance to play with both sides, and honestly, it was a wild ride. But in the end, creating something that lasts? That’s where the magic happens. Whether you’re building the next great monument or just having fun demolishing it, Sandboxels lets you find your own rhythm.
Anyway, next time I play, maybe I’ll focus more on building than blowing stuff up. Or, you know, I’ll just see how high I can make a tower before it crumbles. I guess that’s the real joy of Sandboxels—it’s all up to me.
Richard Joseph
