How does it compare to portia?

[Angry marines]

is it better in all ways?

[JVC]

Yes. It' the same premise as Portia but quality wise Sandrock is so much better.

The difficulty is a bit higher though. Portia is a lush world full of resources with a friendly climate. Sandrock is a desert town with an ecology that's collapsing and the city is in rapid decline. So you'll have to work a bit harder to get the resources you need. It's still perfectly doable but your environment isn't swimming in resources to the same extent as in Portia.

[Niras]

Pretty much yeah. To the point where I would recommend Sandrock over Portia.

differances:
- better combat - 3 distinct weapon types and expanded ranged combat (even though it's little janky),
- better graphics,
- better and longer story,
- more side content (side quests)
etc.

Other notable changes are:
item quality system - I initially didn't like it. Seemed to RPG for me but it's not intrusive and gives extra level of progression. It's more significant in later parts of the game when you don't upgrade machines and equipment as much.

water matters - required for farming and keeping machines running. It becomes absolete for that use rather quickly. Later in the game it's used mainly for farming.

expanded farming - it's more akin to standard Harvest moon like (e.g Stardew Valley). Instead just using fertilizer you now have to use water. It has some twist to it due game taking place in the desert.