Sandman is a 2D puzzle platformer where death permanently changes the level. When the player dies, the body turns into sand at that exact position. The sand falls, piles up, and compresses, creating new terrain. These sand piles remain in the stage and can be used to cover traps, create platforms, or fill dangerous gaps. Progress often requires using previous attempts to reshape the environment. The player can also press X to die instantly at the current position, allowing deliberate placement of sand to solve puzzles. The game features 30 single-screen stages designed around this mechanic.