Some games reward fast reactions first. Others reward preparation. SAND: Raiders of Sophie appears to sit closer to the second group, where players benefit from understanding routes, loadouts, fuel, cargo, map locations, and the basic loop before they push too far. That does not make the game less exciting. It simply means that small decisions before a run can shape what happens later. Preparation is not the same as optimization. New players do not need a perfect route or a complete plan. They ...