SANABI
- June 19, 2022
- SANABI
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"SANABI" is a single-player Science Fiction Platformer game with an intriguing story, perfect game mechanics, and outstanding graphics. As a legendary retired veteran, use your chain-hook prosthetic arm to maneuver and defeat enemies in the beautiful yet mysterious cyberpunk dystopia of Mega-city "MAGO" to hunt down the elusive "SANABI" entity and uncover corporate secrets. The stellar soundtrack, wholesome story, and hilarious moments create a perfect atmosphere, despite the grinding required.
Reviews
- Incredible story that evokes strong emotions, making players cry.
- Fluid and satisfying gameplay mechanics centered around a grappling hook.
- Beautiful pixel art and animation that enhances the overall experience.
- Excessive dialogue and cutscenes that disrupt the gameplay flow.
- Some gameplay mechanics can feel clunky or frustrating at times.
- Translation issues that lead to awkward phrasing and minor confusion.
- story2,030 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Sanabi" has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and engaging narrative, often described as a surprising and heartfelt journey that evolves from a simple revenge plot into a complex exploration of themes like loss and redemption. Players have noted the story's ability to evoke strong emotions, with many expressing that it left them in tears by the end. However, some critiques mention that the pacing can be disrupted by lengthy cutscenes and dialogue, which may detract from the gameplay experience for those seeking a more action-focused title. Overall, the combination of compelling storytelling, beautiful pixel art, and satisfying gameplay mechanics makes "Sanabi" a standout in the indie platformer genre.
“Fun gameplay, phenomenal story with an amazing twist.”
“The story is 10/10; I did not expect this at all.”
“The story was my favorite part of the game, and the pixel art was well done.”
“The game focuses too heavily on story and the gameplay suffers not only for having the story constantly interrupt the gameplay, but also having the mechanics not be fully fleshed out as the game leans too heavily into the story.”
“The pacing of the game (especially late game) is also hurt by the jerky stop and go between gameplay and story cutscenes, which is only partially alleviated by the quality of the story.”
“The story is incredibly predictable, trite, and saccharine to the point where it's impossible to take any of it seriously, even though the game clearly wants you to.”
- gameplay1,243 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Sanabi" is characterized by its engaging grappling hook mechanics, which provide a fast-paced and fluid platforming experience that many players find exhilarating. However, the game is often criticized for its heavy reliance on cutscenes, which disrupt the gameplay flow and can lead to a feeling of imbalance between narrative and action. While the core mechanics are generally well-received, some players express frustration with repetitive gameplay elements and occasional control issues, suggesting that the game could benefit from a more refined balance between its story and gameplay segments.
“The gameplay is extremely fun and fluid, but the story... oh man, the story had me on the edge and crying.”
“The gameplay is smooth and makes you feel badass, and the story is a heart-wrenching journey that is absolutely worth experiencing.”
“The gameplay is stellar and is well-paced in how it slowly ramps up the difficulty as levels progress, adding tougher enemies but also giving you new moves to add to your arsenal.”
“To the devs, I would say that this game proves that a grappling hook doesn't work well as a core game mechanic since you end up with passive thumbs most of the time.”
“Ultimately, this, combined with the bloat of mechanics that the game just seems to push onto the player, makes the experience less enjoyable as the game goes on.”
“The gameplay is simple at first but gets very fluid and fun as you progress.”
- music454 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its engaging and thematic synthwave soundtrack, which complements the cyberpunk aesthetic and enhances the emotional depth of the story. Many players describe the soundtrack as a standout feature, with tracks that range from adrenaline-pumping to reflective, effectively setting the tone for various gameplay moments. However, some reviewers noted that certain tracks can become repetitive over time, particularly during extended gameplay sections. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its immersive experience.
“The beautifully-animated pixel art, the blood-pumping synthwave soundtrack, the unbelievably tight and satisfying gameplay, and, of course, the surprisingly emotional and heartfelt story.”
“The soundtrack goes hard.”
“The music shifts seamlessly between intense combat sequences and more serene moments, adding emotional weight to the narrative.”
“The music also did not fit the rest of the game.”
“Honestly none of the level themes really stick in my mind other than the song that plays during scenes with your daughter, because of how different it is compared to the rest of the soundtrack.”
“The audio pausing was probably the most grating aspect tbh since you have this bombastic music playing then it stops for 5 seconds and then it comes back.”
- emotional340 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has been overwhelmingly praised, with many players expressing that it made them cry due to its touching and well-crafted story. Reviewers noted the game's ability to blend heartfelt moments with engaging gameplay, creating a powerful emotional journey that resonates deeply, often leaving players feeling profoundly affected by the narrative's twists and character relationships. Overall, the game is celebrated for its emotional depth, stunning visuals, and impactful storytelling, making it a standout experience in the indie gaming landscape.
“Amazing story to this game made me cry; it was that good.”
“The emotional weight of the story combined with its strong world-building.”
“This game is a true gem, a gut-wrenching start for the game that captures your attention with the way it breaks you emotionally.”
- graphics296 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style, vibrant colors, and expressive character animations, which enhance the emotional depth of the storytelling. Many players highlight the beautiful ambiance and intricate details in the backgrounds, creating a captivating cyberpunk aesthetic that complements the gameplay. However, some critiques mention inconsistencies in art direction and occasional jarring elements, but overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature of the game.
“The pixel art visuals are incredible and the story is phenomenal!”
“The graphics are so lovely!”
“You get about 10 hours of gameplay and it has one of the most beautiful pixel art styles of any game I've ever played.”
“The gameplay, story, graphics don't match.”
“The graphic style doesn't quite fit.”
“The art-style is really inconsistent.”
- humor51 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and ability to balance lighthearted moments with darker themes. Characters like Mari add a bubbly and funny dynamic, enhancing the overall experience with witty dialogue and amusing antics. Players appreciate the blend of humor with emotional storytelling, making for a game that is both entertaining and poignant.
“While Mari might be too talkative to some, I found her character very charming. I really enjoyed her funny personality and antics, and I think the game definitely won't be the same without Mari.”
“Sanabi's introduction is brilliant; the game is funny when it wants to be, cute when it calls for it, and gritty when necessary.”
“There are so many cute, funny, referential details throughout the game.”
- atmosphere33 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and beautifully crafted environments, enhanced by stunning pixel art and a compelling soundtrack that effectively sets the tone. Players appreciate the intricate design of various locations, which contribute to a captivating dystopian feel, while the narrative and character development further enrich the overall experience. Despite some minor gameplay criticisms, the game's ambiance and emotional depth leave a lasting impression, making it a standout feature.
“This game has a truly well thought out story-line, beautiful ambiance and atmosphere, and not the most difficult gameplay, but truly a masterpiece in terms of 'feel' and art style.”
“The atmosphere is fantastic and leaves you breathless.”
“Each area is meticulously designed, from lush landscapes to intricately detailed environments, inviting players to explore and soak in the atmosphere.”
“This successfully kills most of the atmosphere.”
“As a fan of cyberpunk aesthetics and pixel art, I can say that the game’s style is fine, but I still want to note that in this aspect, 'Katana Zero' is inferior to 'Sanabi' in its atmosphere and visuals.”
“First of all, the battle background music of the game is too monotonous, but the background music in the end and the robot chase makes the game atmosphere very strong.”
- grinding18 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often feeling that the gameplay is interrupted by lengthy cutscenes and overly long boss fights that require repetitive attempts. While some enjoy the mechanics and level design, many express that the experience can become monotonous, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. The anticipation of grinding halting gameplay and the repetitive nature of certain challenges contribute to a sense of frustration among players.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“At some point it was hard to enjoy the game because there was this constant anticipation that the gameplay would come to a grinding halt with a dense cutscene.”
“The gameplay could have been good, but just like the story, it teases you with very cool segments that I personally enjoyed, before throwing you into one of the most tedious segments you've ever played.”
“Bosses later in the game are these excruciatingly long tedious fights, where you rarely ever feel in control of your circumstances.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is viewed as a mixed bag; while some players find it highly enjoyable and worth revisiting due to its content and speedrunning elements, others feel it lacks depth in replay value. Suggestions for enhancements like a level editor or mod support indicate a desire for increased community engagement and replayability.
“Overall 4/5 another memorable game for me with great replayability; get it on sale or full price, it's worth a pickup for 12 hours of good gaming.”
“The game encourages speedrunning for added replayability.”
“This encourages replayability, allowing players to uncover new aspects of the story and experience different gameplay dynamics.”
“The game has a lot of content, but not a whole lot of replayability.”
“Otherwise, story, gameplay, and replayability were on the lower end of what I was expecting.”
“If the developers read this, I hope you find a way to add a level editor and/or mod support into the game, that would vastly increase the community interaction with the game, and make it even more replayable than it already is.”
- character development8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its organic and impactful progression, seamlessly integrated into a well-structured narrative that balances action with quieter moments. Players appreciate the memorable character designs and the unique, threatening enemies, which enhance the overall storytelling experience. However, some reviewers note that the pacing can be uneven, with interruptions from story elements affecting the flow of gameplay.
“The story is concise and interesting, with good character development and an intriguing dystopian world to explore.”
“The pacing is well-structured, with a steady mix of action and quieter moments that allow for character development and story progression.”
“Players are drawn into a narrative that unfolds gradually, with character development that feels organic and impactful.”
“The pacing is a bit rough; the game is often interrupted by story and character developments.”
“The character development feels rushed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“There are moments where character development seems forced, detracting from the overall experience.”
- optimization7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly with no major performance issues and features impressive visuals, players have noted longer loading times due to asset density and minor graphical glitches in cinematics. Additionally, the controller support is not fully optimized, leading to some gameplay challenges. Despite these issues, the game delivers a visually stunning experience with engaging action.
“Game ran great, no performance issues.”
“The story is good, the setting looks amazing, it runs smoothly, plays smoothly, has fast fun action in a cyberpunk setting, and the only complaint is how dare you make me feel things!”
“It's not quite optimized for controller yet--though it's impressive with this style of gameplay that it works on a controller at all.”
“There are a few issues in terms of optimization at this current point; the amount of assets present seems to be delaying the rate of level loading times, which can lead to longer black screen load times.”
“It's not quite optimized for controller yet—though it's impressive with this style of gameplay that it works on a controller at all.”
“There are some minor graphical issues in some of the cinematics, and there were tiny but noticeable performance issues while playing.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for its intrusive and unskippable ads, detracting from the overall experience and enjoyment, even overshadowing the engaging narrative premise.
“I've had more fun watching unskippable ads on YouTube.”
“The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to progress.”
“It's frustrating that essential game features are locked behind paywalls.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a stable experience with no glitches or bugs, even on the Steam Deck, despite the game being in early access. The available content is polished, contributing to a smooth gameplay experience.
“No glitches, no bugs; the game runs perfectly on my Steam Deck.”
“The stability of the game is impressive, with no crashes or performance issues.”
“I experienced zero issues while playing, making for a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
“The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced constant frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
“There are numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay, leading to frustrating experiences.”
