SANYA

About

SANYA is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by helpnode and was released on March 1, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

"Sanya" is a nostalgic 90s-set game where you play as a carefree 7-year-old, navigating childhood friendships, simple joys, and the occasional adult problem. Explore a unique post-Soviet setting, complete missions for various characters, and immerse yourself in the innocence and resilience of youth. Experience the memorable highs and lows of a summer before school starts, forming friendships and creating unforgettable memories.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 28 reviews

music2 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

The game features beautiful art and music, creating a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere.
The first hour of gameplay is enjoyable, filled with fun riddles and heartwarming moments.
Sanya successfully evokes feelings of nostalgia and childhood memories, making it relatable for many players.

The game takes a sudden turn with a frustrating platform mechanic that detracts from the overall experience.
It is criticized for being short and having a shallow story, leaving players wanting more depth.
There are reports of bugs and issues with dialogue, making some interactions feel soulless and unpolished.

story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The game's story is described as simple and shallow, leaving players wanting more despite its well-written elements. While some appreciate the brevity as fitting for the narrative, others criticize it for being too short and lacking depth, with only minor missions to engage with. Overall, the story evokes a sense of nostalgia but ultimately feels incomplete.
- “Of course, it left me wanting more -- the bittersweetness of a story that's well written.”
- “The game is very short (less than a couple of hours), but it feels like it is just the right 'size' for the story it tells.”
- “- you get little missions, appropriate for the little boy you are.”
- “Actually, the game has very little story.”
- “Simple, short, super shallow 'story', buggy, and this game has the facade of nostalgia (or at least pieces here and there) but then the credits.... no, thank you.”
- “Of course, it left me wanting more -- the bitter-sweetness of a story that's well written.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
62%
25%
The gameplay is characterized by enjoyable puzzles and a nostalgic old-school 2D adventure style, particularly highlighted in the first hour. While the initial experience is engaging, later sections introduce a platforming mechanic that can be completed quickly, though players aiming for full achievements will need to invest more time.
- “The first hour of gameplay is really sweet and the little riddles are fun.”
- “At the end, there is a platform mechanic which can be rushed through, but not if you want to get all the achievements.”
- “- Mechanically, it is mostly an old-school 2D adventure.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is highly praised for its beauty and effective sound design, contributing significantly to the overall immersive experience. Players appreciate how well it complements the art style and setting, enhancing their enjoyment throughout the gameplay.
- “I love the art style and the music as well as the overall setting.”
- “I liked all the 2 hours of it! Very beautiful art, great sound design, and music!”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game "Sanya" is praised for its emotional depth, offering a heartwarming narrative centered on friendship, community, and familial bonds in a post-Soviet setting. Players find the short adventure with Sanya and his dog Pumpkin to be wholesome and potentially tear-jerking, evoking strong feelings throughout the experience.
- “Sanya is a heartwarming tale about friendship, community, and not angering your mother set in a post-Soviet reality.”
- “Short adventure about Sanya and his dog Pumpkin, wholesome at every moment, may make you teary-eyed by the end.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is criticized for its significant stability issues, being described as a "buggy mess" that detracts from the overall experience. Users note that the gameplay is marred by numerous bugs, which overshadow any nostalgic elements it may attempt to present.
- “Buggy mess with lots of fake phrases.”
- “Simple, short, super shallow 'story', buggy, and this game has the facade of nostalgia (or at least pieces here and there) but then the credits.... no, thank you.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics are highly praised for their distinctive art style, which complements the game's music and overall setting, creating an immersive visual experience.
- “I love the art style, the music, and the overall setting.”