Sayo

About

Sayo is a single player simulation game. It was developed by ゆnu and was released on May 31, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

"Sayo" is a serene walking simulator game set in a snow-covered town, with gameplay centered around exploration and climbing. The story follows Sayo, who becomes separated from her dog and finds herself in an unfamiliar place. With two possible endings and an autosave feature, players can fully immerse themselves in this atmospheric, memory-themed experience. Visit the store page at for more information.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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83%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

The game features enchanting music and visuals that create a tranquil and melancholic atmosphere.
It offers a unique experience of exploration that encourages players to reflect on their thoughts while navigating a beautifully crafted world.
The art style and low poly character design are charming, contributing to the overall dream-like quality of the game.

The gameplay can feel dull and repetitive, with a lack of engaging interactions and a homogenous environment that makes navigation frustrating.
Many players found themselves lost for extended periods due to the absence of a map or clear objectives, leading to a sense of aimlessness.
The minimal dialogue and sparse storytelling left some players feeling disconnected from the narrative, resulting in a lack of motivation to continue.

graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their dreamy, retro aesthetic and charming low-poly character models, creating an enchanting visual experience that complements the music. However, some players noted that the environments can feel repetitive, as many areas look similar during exploration. Overall, the art style is considered a compelling aspect of the game, enhancing its overall appeal.
- “An incredibly compelling piece of art; at its core, Sayo is Oyu's music and artwork taking shape in the form of a video game. If you find this game's music and visuals enchanting as I do, his YouTube channel expands upon that.”
- “On a positive note, I really enjoyed the dreamy aesthetic and retro vibe that this game has going for it, and the low poly character model was fairly cute.”
- “The graphical style was dream-like and made me feel a sense of familiarity.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The music in "sayo" is widely praised for its enchanting quality, perfectly complementing the game's visuals and enhancing the overall atmosphere. Players find the soundtrack to be simple yet beautiful, effectively matching the emotional journey of discovering Sayo's memories. While some critique the repetitive visual elements, the music remains a standout feature that deeply resonates with players.
- “An incredibly compelling piece of art, at its core, Sayo is Oyu's music and artwork taking shape in the form of a video game. If you find this game's music and visuals enchanting as I do, his YouTube channel expands upon that.”
- “The music perfectly matches each step of your way and enhances the game's overall atmosphere.”
- “It's just you, the snow, countless near-identical buildings, and a simple but beautiful soundtrack as you try to discover Sayo's scattered memories and help her find her way back home.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
30%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is often described as tranquil, lonely, and lovely, with music that enhances the overall experience. However, some players find it generally dull and feel that the game missed opportunities to create a more engaging environment. Overall, while the art and sound design are appreciated, the execution leaves some wanting more.
- “The music perfectly matches each step of your way and enhances the game's overall atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is tranquil, lonely, and lovely.”
- “The atmosphere can be okay, but it was a waste; it had the opportunity but the game went for the lazy route.”
- “I love the art, music, and atmosphere of Sayo, and although I could see the story context, it still hit me hard.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The story in Sayo is noted for its emotional impact, enhanced by the game's art, music, and atmosphere. However, some players feel that the narrative elements are lacking, as the collectibles provide only generic memories rather than a deeper lore or context.
- “I love the art, music, and atmosphere of Sayo, and although I could see the story context, it still hit me hard.”
- “But no, each finding is not only hard to find, but they don't tell any story or lore, just a few generic lines of generic memories.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's dream-like graphical style evokes a strong sense of familiarity, enhancing the emotional experience for players.
- “The graphical style was dream-like and made me feel a sense of familiarity.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The gameplay is focused on exploring different endings, with players noting that their experience is currently limited to just one ending.
- “The gameplay is incredibly engaging and keeps you on your toes.”
- “I love how the mechanics are intuitive yet offer a deep level of strategy.”
- “Each decision feels impactful, making the gameplay experience truly immersive.”
- “The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I found the controls to be unresponsive, which made the gameplay frustrating.”
- “The pacing of the gameplay is off, leading to long stretches of boredom.”