SANABI

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"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,072 reviews

story2,032 positive mentions

grinding32 negative mentions

Incredible story that evokes strong emotions and leaves players in tears.
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 pacing of the gameplay.
Some gameplay mechanics can feel clunky or imprecise at times.
Certain boss fights can be frustratingly long and difficult without clear indicators.

story
4,060 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 standout feature of the game. Players appreciate the intricate plot twists and character development, which evoke strong emotional responses, including tears. However, some critiques highlight 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 platformer. Overall, the combination of a compelling story with beautiful pixel art and fluid gameplay makes "Sanabi" a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “Fun gameplay, phenomenal story with an amazing twist.”
- “Very touching and emotional story.”
- “The story is amazing!”
- “At first, I was annoyed that they put all this story in-between me and my high-speed platforming.”
- “However, the 'tell don't show' approach to its storytelling and the long, click-through dialogue scenes interrupt the game far too often and for far too long for me to enjoy it.”
- “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 heavy into the story.”
gameplay
2,486 mentions
51 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Sanabi" is characterized by its fast-paced, fluid mechanics centered around a grappling hook, which many players find exhilarating and satisfying once mastered. However, the experience is often interrupted by lengthy cutscenes and dialogue, leading to a mixed reception regarding the balance between gameplay and narrative. While some players appreciate the innovative mechanics and engaging story, others feel that the gameplay can become repetitive and is overshadowed by the extensive storytelling elements.
- “Fun gameplay, phenomenal story with an amazing twist.”
- “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 extremely fun and fluid, but the story... oh man, the story had me on the edge and crying.”
- “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, the experience is just less and less enjoyable as the game goes on.”
- “The gameplay here is serviceable and the grapple mechanic has a lot of potential but it's not interesting enough on its own to prop up such a long and bloated experience.”
music
908 mentions
63 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Sanabi" has received widespread acclaim for its engaging synthwave soundtrack, which complements the game's cyberpunk aesthetic and emotional narrative. Players appreciate the variety and energy of the tracks, noting that they enhance both the gameplay experience and the storytelling, although some have mentioned occasional repetitiveness in certain sections. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout features of the game, with many players expressing a desire for its availability on streaming platforms.
- “The beautifully-animated pixel art, the blood-pumping synthwave soundtrack (which by the way was custom-made for this game, unlike Hotline Miami and Furi), the unbelievably tight and satisfying gameplay, and, of course, the surprisingly emotional and heartfelt story.”
- “The soundtrack of the game ranges from adrenaline-pumping to relaxed, to emotional, and all of the songs of the game were great, especially those in the latter half of the game.”
- “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.”
emotional
680 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 heartfelt story. Reviewers noted the strong character development, engaging plot twists, and the effective use of pixel art and music to enhance emotional moments, creating a powerful narrative experience that resonates deeply with players. Overall, the game is described as a masterful blend of gameplay and storytelling that leaves a lasting emotional impact.
- “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.”
graphics
592 mentions
61 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, particularly for their stunning pixel art style and vibrant color palette, which effectively enhance the emotional depth of the storytelling. Many players highlight the expressive character animations and intricate backgrounds, noting that the visuals create a captivating atmosphere that complements the gameplay. However, some critiques mention occasional inconsistencies in art style and minor graphical issues, 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 introduction is bad; the graphic style doesn't quite fit.”
- “The art-style is really inconsistent. It feels like 700 different people with truly unique & different art-styles & visions tried to work on the game, and all with poor management & quality control.”
humor
102 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, particularly through the character of Mari, whose antics and dialogue add a delightful touch. Players appreciate the clever writing, funny controls, and whimsical details that enhance the overall experience, making them laugh while also engaging with the game's emotional depth. The blend of humor with action and storytelling creates a unique atmosphere that resonates with players, making it both entertaining and poignant.
- “Sanabi's introduction is brilliant, the game is funny when it wants to, cute when it calls for it, and gritty when necessary.”
- “The story is simply beautiful, the relationship between Mari and the MC is really funny, and the backstory, the motivation for the things they do, everything is done so well, so perfectly well that it made me cry a whole ton.”
- “There are so many cute, funny, referential details throughout the game.”
atmosphere
66 mentions
58 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning pixel art, immersive sound design, and well-crafted environments that evoke a strong sense of place, particularly within its dystopian cyberpunk setting. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music to enhance the mood and storytelling, creating a captivating experience that encourages exploration and emotional engagement. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal and depth.
- “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.”
grinding
36 mentions
3 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tediousness, with players noting that repetitive gameplay and lengthy boss fights can lead to frustration and a loss of enjoyment. While some mechanics, like the grappling hook, offer moments of excitement, they are often overshadowed by the game's tendency to interrupt action with dense cutscenes and overly long challenges. Overall, many reviewers feel that the grinding elements detract significantly from the overall experience.
- “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.”
replayability
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mixed bag in terms of replayability; while some players find it highly replayable due to its engaging content and speedrunning potential, others feel it lacks significant replay value. Suggestions for improvements, such as adding a level editor or mod support, indicate a desire for enhanced community interaction and replayability. Despite these varying opinions, many agree that the game is worth experiencing multiple times.
- “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.”
- “This encourages replayability, allowing players to uncover new aspects of the story and experience different gameplay dynamics.”
- “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.”
- “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 development
16 mentions
50 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for being organic and impactful, with a well-structured pacing that balances action and quieter moments for deeper storytelling. Players appreciate the memorable character designs and the unique, threatening enemies, all set within a stunning dystopian world. However, some reviews note that the pacing can be rough, as the game is occasionally interrupted by story and character developments.
- “The story is concise and interesting, with good character development and an intriguing dystopian world to explore.”
- “- Pacing is a bit rough; the game is often interrupted by story/character developments.”
- “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.”
optimization
14 mentions
43 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
21 % 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 lack of an option to speed through dialogue and some controller optimization concerns have been highlighted as areas for improvement.
- “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.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for its intrusive and unskippable ads, which detract from the overall experience and enjoyment, leaving players feeling frustrated. Despite an engaging storyline, the aggressive advertising strategy has led to negative sentiments among users.
- “I've had more fun watching unskippable ads on YouTube.”
stability
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, players 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 smoothly on Steam Deck with zero issues.”