SANYA

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 22 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
SANYA Game Cover
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"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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews
music3 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • The game beautifully evokes childhood nostalgia with its warm atmosphere, charming art style, and delightful music.
  • Players appreciate the cozy and heartwarming experience, with many finding joy in the small adventures and interactions with the dog, Pumpkin.
  • Despite its short length, the game successfully captures the essence of childhood memories and offers a relaxing escape for players.
  • The game is criticized for its brevity, with many feeling that it lacks depth and a substantial plot, leaving players wanting more.
  • Some gameplay elements, particularly a frustrating platforming mini-game, detract from the overall experience and can lead to frustration.
  • There are reports of bugs and issues with controls, which can disrupt the flow of the game and impact enjoyment.
  • story19 mentions

    The story of the game is a simple, nostalgic slice-of-life narrative set in post-Soviet '90s Russia, focusing on a young boy and his dog as they navigate childhood experiences and seek acceptance from peers. While the narrative is brief and lacks depth, it effectively conveys a personal tale through environmental storytelling and charming interactions, though many players wished for a longer experience with more character development. Overall, the game offers a calming and sweet journey, albeit with limited replayability and a straightforward plot.

    • “Of course, it left me wanting more -- the bittersweetness of a story that's well written.”
    • “Artistically, this is a very beautiful game, and though the narrative is quite simple, it does what it sets out to do: telling a small, personal tale of a boy and his dog, wanting to be accepted by the neighborhood kids.”
    • “The subtle details in the environment help give the story more context.”
    • “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.... нет, спасибо”
    • “Sanya lacks an underlying plot line or end goal; instead, it retells a very standard childhood memory, replaying as a sort of coming-of-age adventure about making new friends, helping people in the neighborhood, and learning about responsibility.”
    • “I would have loved this game to be a bit longer and have the characters more fleshed out, but it appears designed to be a single childhood memory and not really have the typical character building or plot depth.”
  • gameplay8 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a charming blend of simple puzzles and fetch quests, set within a cozy, visually appealing environment. While the initial gameplay is engaging and filled with fun riddles, many players feel it ends too quickly, leaving them wanting more content and additional mechanics. Overall, it offers a nostalgic 2D adventure experience that emphasizes story and character interactions.

    • “The first hour of gameplay is really sweet, and the little riddles are fun.”
    • “Most gameplay elements are fun, but they’re over so quickly; I wanted even more of them, like additional logic puzzles or giving Pumpkin new commands.”
    • “Whilst it is much shorter than I expected, this cozy title’s simple gameplay and beautiful art style create a homely and relaxing aura with an abundance of secrets to discover.”
    • “Gameplay focuses on the story, meeting characters and helping them usually through basic fetch quests or puzzles.”
    • “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.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its endearing quality, complementing the beautiful art style and overall setting. Reviewers highlight the great sound design and describe the music as heartwarming, contributing to an enjoyable experience throughout the gameplay.

    • “I love the art style and the music as well as the overall setting.”
    • “The music and the art are awesome and heartwarming ♥ ♥ ♥”
    • “Liked all the 2 hours of it <3 very beautiful art, great sound design and music!”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The graphics are praised for their charming art style, which contributes to a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, complemented by a soothing soundtrack. While the visuals enhance the overall experience, the game's short playtime and limited replayability suggest it may be worth waiting for a sale before purchasing.

    • “I love the art style and the music as well as the overall setting.”
    • “Whilst it is much shorter than I expected, this cozy title’s simple gameplay and beautiful art style creates a homely and relaxing aura with an abundance of secrets to discover.”
    • “It’s true that its art style is sweet and its simple story is calming and might even bring you a smile or two.”
    • “The graphics are underwhelming and lack detail, making the overall experience feel flat.”
    • “The character models look outdated and the environments are bland, which detracts from immersion.”
    • “The visual effects are minimal and fail to impress, leaving the game feeling visually unpolished.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    "Sanya" is a touching narrative that explores themes of friendship and community within a post-Soviet setting, featuring a heartwarming journey with the protagonist and his dog, Pumpkin. The game's emotional depth, complemented by its beautiful music and art, leaves players feeling uplifted and may evoke tears by the conclusion.

    • “Sanya is a heartwarming tale about friendship, community, and not angering your mother, set in a post-Soviet reality.”
    • “A short adventure about Sanya and his dog Pumpkin, wholesome at every moment, may make you teary-eyed by the end.”
    • “The music and the art are awesome and heartwarming.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game has been criticized for its instability, with users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the experience. While it attempts to evoke nostalgia, many feel it ultimately falls short due to its lack of depth and technical issues.

    • “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.”
    • “Buggy mess with lots of fake phrases.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a bright, cheerful, and cozy ambiance that enhances the overall experience, making it feel warm and inviting despite any potential drawbacks.

    • “What saved it from that was the overall bright and cheerful atmosphere of the game, outside of this particular bit.”
    • “As said earlier, everything about this game exudes a cozy and warm atmosphere.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers minimal replayability, primarily limited to uncovering secrets and achieving mutually exclusive accomplishments, with a typical playthrough lasting about 1.5 hours. Players are advised to wait for a sale before purchasing due to this lack of content for repeated play.

    • “The game offers a unique experience with each playthrough, encouraging players to explore different strategies and outcomes.”
    • “With multiple endings and various character paths, the replayability keeps the game fresh and engaging.”
    • “It's true that its art style is sweet and its simple story is calming and might even bring you a smile or two, but considering that one playthrough takes around 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace and that there is close to zero replayability (aside from obtaining those mutually exclusive achievements), I would advise waiting for a deep sale before diving in.”
    • “Replayability value: only to uncover all secrets and achievements.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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