Sable features a stunning art style inspired by Moebius, creating a visually captivating experience.
The game offers a relaxing exploration experience with no combat, allowing players to enjoy the journey at their own pace.
The soundtrack by Japanese Breakfast enhances the atmosphere, providing a calming and immersive backdrop to the gameplay.
The game suffers from numerous technical issues, including frame rate drops, audio glitches, and bugs that can disrupt gameplay.
Climbing mechanics can feel clunky and inconsistent, leading to frustration during exploration.
The quests often feel repetitive and lack depth, with many being simple fetch quests that do not significantly contribute to the overall experience.
story
1,689 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
65%
5%
The story of *Sable* is a gentle coming-of-age narrative that emphasizes exploration and self-discovery in a beautifully crafted open world. Players embark on a journey to find their identity through various quests, primarily consisting of fetch tasks, while engaging with a diverse cast of characters and uncovering the lore of the environment. While the narrative is often described as simple and lacking depth, it resonates with themes of freedom and personal growth, making it a charming experience for those who appreciate a relaxed, exploratory gameplay style.
“The story is a gentle and thoughtful commentary on coming of age and finding one's place, which I genuinely felt.”
“Sable is a beautiful, peaceful game with simple gameplay and a lovely story of the titular character's journey, albeit a journey with a lot of bugs.”
“The story, the art style, the music, and the characters all come together to create a truly immersive experience.”
“Sadly, it falls short of expectations: exploration offers little reward, and quests are dull as dishwater.”
“The main story is a simple personal coming-of-age vision quest, and the side quests were almost exclusively fetch-and-collect chores.”
“The story is uninspiring and kind of pointless, the writing gets boring quite easily, and the quests are more than repetitive.”
graphics
1,338 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The graphics of Sable are widely praised for their unique, striking art style inspired by the works of Jean "Moebius" Giraud, creating a visually captivating experience reminiscent of a comic book. However, many players report significant performance issues, including frame rate drops, graphical glitches, and optimization problems, which detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. Despite these technical shortcomings, the game's aesthetic and atmosphere are often highlighted as its strongest features, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of artistic exploration games.
“The art style, too, while minimal, is incredibly striking, and the abstractions presented by its moebius aesthetic do a great job at emphasizing the strange-but-beautiful bleakness of the world as you explore it.”
“The graphics are vibrant and the overall game experience was very immersive; I was hooked.”
“Sable features a striking aesthetic, one inspired by the works of Jean ‘Moebius’ Girard, a man famous for comic book art depicting sci-fi worlds rooted in realism.”
“The game could do with better optimization as framerates will occasionally drop and there's a few graphical issues where objects in the world will suddenly disappear depending on your camera angle.”
“The graphics are quite unique (and really grow on you), and the aesthetic of world ties it all together perfectly.”
“The art style is unique and you could call it quite pretty but some character animations are very... choppy?”
music
1,021 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
1%
The music in *Sable*, primarily composed by Japanese Breakfast, has received widespread acclaim for its enchanting and atmospheric qualities, perfectly complementing the game's stunning visuals and exploration-focused gameplay. While many players find the soundtrack to be a highlight, enhancing the overall experience, some have noted issues with audio glitches and a lack of variety in tracks during gameplay. Overall, the combination of beautiful music and art creates a captivating and immersive environment, making it a standout feature of the game.
“Breath of the Wild-style exploration through a gorgeous, cel-shaded desert landscape set to an understated but exceptional soundtrack.”
“The music and its sound design is something that instantly makes an impact, from the background instrumentals to every little sound, they are all extremely well made.”
“The soundtrack by Japanese Breakfast is beautiful - it has a real meditative quality to it.”
“A lot of the time there outright is no music in the background, and most of the time when music does play, it is completely unmemorable; it might as well be randomly generated notes.”
“The music is so comforting, relaxing, and wholesome that it is one of the highlights of this game, but there are moments when the music 'bugged out': when you enter a town, each part of the background music doesn’t match, like bass, drum, and main melody counter melody are off beat.”
“The sound constantly pops and cuts, and there are some parts of the game where the music just cuts, even during a cinematic, which can take you out of the experience.”
gameplay
833 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
69%
6%
The gameplay of Sable is primarily focused on exploration, climbing, and light puzzle-solving, drawing heavy inspiration from Breath of the Wild but lacking its depth and polish. While the game offers a relaxing and visually stunning experience, it is marred by technical issues, simplistic mechanics, and repetitive tasks, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Players seeking a chill, non-combat adventure may appreciate its artistic qualities and narrative themes, but those looking for more engaging gameplay may find it lacking.
“The gameplay consists of platforming, exploring, and puzzling, creating a relaxing experience that encourages exploration at your own pace.”
“With its stunning visuals and slow and simple but very fulfilling parkour and exploration gameplay, Sable offers a unique and calming experience.”
“The exploration paired with non-combat centers gameplay and a sense of adventure makes this small title a justifiable purchase for anyone looking to wind down and have some fun.”
“The game is super boring and the gameplay is shit.”
“The gameplay consists of fetch quests and climbing; there is little to no variation in this even in the 'puzzles.' The world feels empty outside of things associated with quests and it feels flat overall.”
“Sable is infuriating at times due to poor climbing mechanics, glitches, and both quests and puzzles that have you doing the exact same thing.”
optimization
696 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
47%
45%
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues such as constant stuttering, frame drops, and audio glitches, even on high-end systems. Many reviewers noted that these technical problems detract from the overall experience, making the game feel unpolished and at times unplayable. Despite its beautiful art style and engaging gameplay, the lack of optimization remains a major concern, leading to mixed recommendations from players.
“Despite some bugs and performance issues, this was a fantastic game.”
“If optimized, this could have been phenomenal, but I would be remiss if I were to gloss over these flaws.”
“Overall 8/10 (would be 9 if not for the performance issues and bugs)”
“The horrible optimization, sad amount and variety of bugs, some missing quality of life features, and a handful of other nitpicks make me want to give this a thumbs down.”
“Unfortunately, the game is poorly optimized and plagued by widespread image and sound stuttering, making it very hard to enjoy.”
“The performance issues and bugs have at times hampered my experiences though.”
stability
591 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The game's stability has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. Common issues include frame drops, audio glitches, and erratic behavior of the hoverbike, which can lead to frustrating gameplay moments. While some players find the game's charm and artistic style worth enduring the technical shortcomings, others feel that the persistent bugs and lack of polish make it difficult to fully enjoy the experience.
“Also, runs great on the Steam Deck and is made for 48Hz / 24 FPS gameplay, which fits the animation style perfectly.”
“A little buggy, but not buggy enough to make me angry.”
“It's not buggy.”
“Sadly, after 4 years, the game is still buggy.”
“The game was released in 2021, but 3 years later it is still filled with bugs, glitches, and performance issues.”
“It's a beautiful game, but it's so, so, so buggy.”
atmosphere
291 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
28%
3%
The atmosphere of "Sable" is widely praised for its breathtaking art style, serene music, and immersive world, creating a unique and contemplative experience that encourages exploration and self-discovery. Players appreciate the game's calming vibe, which is enhanced by its ethereal soundtrack and thoughtful design, despite some technical issues and a lack of traditional gameplay elements. Overall, the game is celebrated as a beautiful, atmospheric journey that resonates deeply with those who enjoy artistic and introspective gaming experiences.
“The atmosphere, the overall vibe is very cozy and warm, the characters feel alive; it's like I really was on my gliding and made real friends.”
“Sable is one of the most contemplative games I've ever experienced, with incredible worldbuilding and an atmosphere so unique it will stick with me for many years to come.”
“The music, the atmosphere, the art style all work excellently together to create an incredible (and incredibly unique) atmosphere.”
“But, annoying low-fps movement animations (why would you do this, everything else in the game is animated smoothly, including visual effects), over-verbose dialogs (the game lacks other ways to portray character feelings or interactions), and poor optimization just kills the atmosphere for me.”
“In a game where taking in the sights and the atmosphere are a main draw, this completely rips you out of it.”
“The way objects are stuck together and reused is very noticeable, and the awkwardness of it all kinda 'punches through' the smoothness of its graphical style in a way that I find very disruptive, especially in a game that's mostly held up by its atmosphere.”
emotional
199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Sable" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and profound themes of self-discovery and coming-of-age. Players report feeling a deep connection to the protagonist and the world, often experiencing genuine emotional responses, including tears, during key moments. Despite some technical issues, the game's beautiful art style, engaging dialogue, and evocative soundtrack contribute to a uniquely touching and immersive experience that resonates with many players.
“Sable is a journey about self-discovery, teaching you that life is about change and sometimes you have to let go of the things you care about to follow your own path. Starting with one of the most beautiful 2-hour intros to a video game I have ever played, melancholic and emotional, it truly makes you feel like a journey is about to start.”
“The overall themes and story are touching. I also loved how you are free to end the game at any point after getting your first mask, just like Sable would have the choice of ending her gliding whenever she makes up her mind.”
“It was a beautiful journey from start to finish, both visually and emotionally, and by the end, I felt actual heartache for the world I was leaving behind - a world I hope I forget about, so I can relive the joy of discovering it all again in the future.”
humor
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is a blend of charming dialogue, quirky character interactions, and amusing glitches that enhance the experience rather than detract from it. Players appreciate the well-written, heartfelt humor that often carries a touch of melancholy, alongside funny moments arising from gameplay mechanics, such as the protagonist's clumsy navigation and the eccentricities of NPCs. Overall, the game's lighthearted approach and whimsical elements create a delightful atmosphere that resonates with players, making it both entertaining and memorable.
“The dialogue was well written, funny but not silly, and often with a dose of melancholy that I really enjoyed.”
“There's so many funny, heartwarming, and wondrous moments that fill the game from beginning to end.”
“The writing in this game blew me away; all of the characters are funny, intelligent, written with grace, and treated with respect in a way I struggle to accurately describe.”
“They are not angry, not funny, not scheming, not sincere, not anything.”
grinding
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
4%
94%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many describing it as tedious and slow, particularly during fetch quests and collection tasks. While some appreciate the lack of traditional grinding mechanics, others feel that the game's pacing and repetitive tasks detract from the enjoyment, leading to a sense of boredom. Despite these criticisms, a few players noted that the game can still be enjoyable for casual exploration, provided one doesn't aim for 100% completion.
“Slow pace, no grinding, really good game to enjoy during a Sunday afternoon.”
“Game took me 20 hours to finish with having completed all the side quests except a couple completionist grindy ones.”
“However, playing the game was very boring and tedious.”
“For a game about finding a purpose and place in the world, I think it is ironic that everything you can do feels a bit meaningless and tedious.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
Overall, the game's replayability is viewed as limited, with many players expressing that they do not intend to revisit it after their initial playthrough. While some appreciate the exploration and aesthetics, they find the lack of substantial content and mechanics to encourage repeated play disappointing. A few users noted that recent updates have improved the experience, but the consensus remains that the game does not offer significant replay value.
“Somewhere in here is a game I think; the bike is the redeeming part I feel in terms of replayability.”
“Doesn't seem to have a ton of replay value, but it is an excellent game - fun to explore this colorful world and try to understand its mystique.”
“[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/881100/noita/]Noita[/url] costs $20 and has plenty of replayability, bosses, and puzzles.”
“Don't think there's much replay value here, I don't intend on picking it up again.”
“The game feels unfinished and poorly executed; there is no replayability, and a lot of the aspects are incredibly lacking.”
“This game burns out quick; if you're looking for more adventure or something to invest some real time in, it doesn't offer much in the way of replayability.”
character development
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
Character development in the game is characterized by a straightforward system focused primarily on stamina, which some reviewers feel limits depth due to the project's scope. While the character designs are praised for their beautiful, gender-neutral aesthetics and integration with the game's atmosphere, the overall writing and narrative development are seen as lacking. The game emphasizes exploration and character interaction over action, appealing to players who appreciate artistic design and world-building.
“Nonviolent, open world, exploration with great world development and character development.”
“The character designs are refreshingly gender-neutral, and everyone is practically dressed for their climates and lifestyles.”
“If you're looking for action and fighting, look elsewhere - this is a passion project about character development wrapped around an open world begging to be explored.”
“The character development system includes only stamina.”
“Very much an indicator that the size of the project was much bigger than they could really handle; writing, character development, and story suffer because of this too.”
“With the character design, you never see an NPC's face; it's all mask and words.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the monetization aspect of the game is criticized for its perceived lack of value, particularly regarding in-game items like masks, which seem unnecessary. Additionally, players express frustration with the presence of ads on platforms like Spotify, suggesting a desire for an ad-free experience. Overall, while the game's aesthetics and audio are appreciated, the monetization strategy appears to detract from the overall enjoyment.
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game items that should be earnable through gameplay.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
“The game is fun, but the aggressive monetization tactics really detract from the overall experience.”