The Saboteur™
- March 7, 2024
- Pandemic Studios
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"The Saboteur™" is an open-world action thriller set in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, where you play as tough Irish racecar mechanic Sean Devlin seeking revenge against Colonel Kurt Dierker. Fight using stealth and disguise to sabotage German forces, liberating neighborhoods and bringing color back to the city. Scale iconic landmarks, navigate diverse terrain, and command various vehicles in your mission to undermine the Nazi occupation.
Reviews
- The game features a unique black-and-white aesthetic that transforms to color as players liberate areas, creating a visually striking experience.
- Gameplay combines elements of open-world exploration, parkour, and explosive action, reminiscent of titles like GTA and Assassin's Creed.
- The story is engaging, with a charismatic Irish protagonist and humorous dialogue, making for an entertaining narrative set in Nazi-occupied Paris.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including crashes and resolution problems, particularly when running on modern hardware.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as climbing and stealth, can feel clunky and unpolished, detracting from the overall experience.
- There is a lack of achievements and cloud save support, which may disappoint players looking for modern features in a classic game.
- story200 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of *The Saboteur* is generally well-received, featuring a revenge-driven narrative set in Nazi-occupied Paris during WWII, with engaging characters and a mix of action and stealth elements. While some players find the plot somewhat predictable and the mission structure repetitive, many appreciate the game's unique atmosphere and the way it intertwines gameplay with story progression. Overall, the narrative is described as enjoyable and immersive, despite some criticisms regarding its execution and pacing.
“The plot/story is surprisingly engaging, features some likable characters and a surprising amount to do in the open world.”
“The story is gripping and well told.”
“Overall, it's an amazing experience with a really well-written story and memorable characters.”
“The actual story of The Saboteur is alright, but it is mainly a revenge plot; they go to the sorts of places you would imagine from the period and try to portray the war while also getting a publisher.”
“This culminates in the major issue with The Saboteur: you can replace its Nazis with basically any other occupying force and the story would not change.”
“The story seems a bit shallow and more of a revenge tale when it could have been a larger picture contributing to the war cause.”
- gameplay114 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *The Saboteur* is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of open-world mechanics reminiscent of classic titles like GTA and Assassin's Creed, but often criticized for its repetitive missions and unpolished mechanics. While the core gameplay loop of sabotage, action, and exploration can be enjoyable and dynamic, many players find the driving and climbing mechanics to be mediocre and the AI lacking. Despite its dated design and occasional glitches, the game offers a unique atmosphere and engaging combat that can still provide fun for fans of the genre.
“The gameplay is overall pretty goofy but not in a cringe way; it's just 'oh how jolly it is to blow up nazis' while the tone of the story is mostly serious.”
“The gameplay loop is an utter treat, the weapons all feel good to use, and once you unlock certain skills/perks, it becomes even more engaging.”
“Saboteur has two main things going for it: fun, entertaining gameplay, and great visual style.”
“Most of the mechanics feel very unpolished.”
“Outside of content that relates to ambiance and visuals, the gameplay is rather shallow as most missions can only be described as filler since they require driving to a location, completing an objective or series of objectives, and then driving back to a safe house for more missions or to unlock another part of the story.”
“The save mechanic also sucks; it is practically impossible to make progress on free play objectives because nothing is saved when you die, and quick loading spawns you at a safe house which is usually halfway across the map from where you died.”
- graphics86 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with many praising its unique art style and aesthetic choices, particularly the film noir influence and the use of color to signify liberation. However, players note that the visuals are dated, suffering from technical limitations and graphical glitches, especially when viewed from a distance. While the game may not compete with modern titles, it still offers a nostalgic charm and can look decent when properly configured.
“The art style is absolutely on point.”
“Amazing game, absolutely love the visuals and the setting.”
“It’s an amazing game from one of my favourite defunct studios 'Pandemic', this combines a climbing system similar to the one from the Uncharted/AC series, and it adds on top some stealth, brawler, and third-person shooting elements to create a wonderful narrative about liberating Nazi-occupied France; the game is black and white with colored elements, but there’s a purpose for this aesthetic choice: as you liberate France, color returns to it.”
“The graphics are underwhelming (even for 2009) and honestly the entire game should have just been in black and white to hide the lackluster visuals.”
“The graphics are pretty outdated and worse than other games in this time period like GTA 4, Mafia 2, or Just Cause 2.”
“Graphical glitches and stuttering sabotaged my experience.”
- music37 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create an immersive atmosphere, blending period-appropriate tracks with original compositions that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the nostalgic and vibrant soundtrack, which includes a mix of jazz and blues, as a standout feature that complements the game's setting in World War II-era Paris. While some note minor issues with sound effects, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The looks, the sounds, the choice of music, the aesthetic, the overall feels are just mesmerizing.”
“The music was awesome, the variety of elements, from car chases (so many cars to try!), stealth missions, shooting nazis, gunning down zeppelins and of course the belle... definitely scan around the community for help with graphics.”
“It created such an ambiance: period music from the car radios, Parisian cabarets, period weapons, everything you could ask for to support immersion in a 2009 title.”
“Because here are more important issues than musical historicity, sound effects, and guns sound too weak and ineffective so they never seem as powerful as they should, and cars generally go utterly quiet after a few miles on a road, that is bad, and gets tiresome.”
“Music is nothing to write home about but it gets the job done.”
“The game's atmosphere and concept are outstanding, I love the style and vibe of this game, the music is very fitting, and the black & white setting is very well made, and the gameplay is surprisingly good.”
- stability31 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 77 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and freezing issues, particularly when exiting to Windows. While some players find it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, the overall experience is marred by technical problems that detract from enjoyment. Many users express frustration over persistent issues that have remained unresolved since its initial release.
“Great game, runs great on Steam Deck 9/10.”
“I don't usually have good words to say about EA, but on this occasion, someone who works there clearly liked the game enough to ensure this final release would be bug-free.”
“The Saboteur still holds up and runs great on the Steam Deck (60fps at max settings with no fps dip, quiet fan, and good battery life).”
“Fun story, gameplay, etc. but if my PC crashes multiple times during play and if I try to 'exit to Windows' and my entire PC freezes, it's not even worth revisiting.”
“The worst one is when I exit to Windows and the game freezes so bad that sound ticks and the Ctrl+Alt+Del menu won't even get you out; I couldn't access anything and had to restart the whole rig!”
“It's a buggy combination of Assassin's Creed and GTA set in WWII Paris that, although fun, never quite fully capitalizes on all its potential.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its crude banter, witty writing, and memorable character interactions, particularly with the Irish protagonist whose one-liners and antics provide a comedic backdrop to the action. Players appreciate the blend of serious themes with lighthearted moments, making the experience both entertaining and engaging. Overall, the humor is a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay with its unique charm and irreverence.
“The writing is really humorous at times, and Sean is a great character to play.”
“A crazy Irishman is under your control in The Saboteur; the Belle Dance Club has the best vibes in gaming, and the soundtrack is amazing. This game is serious and funny at the same time, absolutely fun to blow up some Nazis.”
“A basic heat game mechanic, but the methods for escape are hilarious: run away, hide in a shed... or a brothel, kiss a girl, go to a bar & order a drink, or use a public urinal—so long as no one is looking.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- -8 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning presentation, characterized by a unique black and white aesthetic set in a rainy Paris during World War II, complemented by an authentic French soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the immersive experience created by the visual design, retro cars, and fitting music, which collectively evoke a nostalgic and cinematic feel. While the atmosphere is celebrated, opinions on gameplay vary, with some noting it as a secondary concern.
“Presentation is actually amazing despite the dated textures; the black and white theme together with a rainy Paris, occupying Nazis, authentic French soundtrack, etc. makes for one hell of an atmosphere; better than many modern open world games by a long shot.”
“The game's atmosphere and concept are outstanding. I love the style and vibe of this game; the music is very fitting, and the black and white setting is very well made, and the gameplay is surprisingly good.”
“The awesome atmosphere of the game is built from the visual design with black and white stylization of levels, streets of Paris, retro cars, the era of World War II, cult music such as classic jazz and blues, and original compositions for the game.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion that I expected from a game set in such a rich historical context.”
“Despite the interesting setting, the overall atmosphere is flat and fails to evoke any real emotion or engagement from the player.”
“The game tries to create a dark and gritty atmosphere, but it often comes off as forced and unconvincing, leaving me feeling disconnected from the experience.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its flawless performance and 4K capabilities on Steam, while others report significant issues such as sluggish performance, graphical glitches, and poor controller support. Overall, the experience varies widely, with some enjoying smooth gameplay and others facing frustrating stuttering and display problems.
“Performance-wise, the game runs flawlessly if you accept its nature.”
“Just as fun as I remember, and the performance has been great.”
“Thankfully, now that they have put it on Steam, it is nicely optimized, and I can run it in 4K at full FPS with no issues.”
“If you go beyond this you will encounter graphical and performance issues.”
“Performance is bad, it also is quite stuttery, does not display properly, controls are pretty bad, controller support restricted to Xbox (despite a release on PlayStation), targeting using a mouse is way off.”
“Graphical glitches and stuttering sabotaged my experience.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with clunky controls and cumbersome navigation contributing to the frustration. While some enjoy the freedom of hijacking cars and exploring the environment, the overall experience can feel like a chore, especially for completionists.
“Some missions require you to travel across half of the map, but they aren't tedious when you can hijack cars and enjoy the beautiful views of landscapes in rural areas.”
“A bit grindy and repetitive and a completionist's nightmare.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Riding around Paris and stealing cars is also amusing, although I got very lost trying to get back to base with one I especially wanted to keep - having to escape out and bring up the map is a bit slow and tedious.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the game to have significant replayability, with many enjoying the experience multiple times. However, some feel that the initial playthrough offers the most enjoyment, suggesting that while replay value exists, it may not be as compelling after the first run.
“Tons of fun and replay value.”
“Both are two classics with a ton of replay value.”
“There's minor replayability, but in my personal experience, the first time is the best.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a strong sentiment that current monetization practices in games are perceived as exploitative, with many players feeling that they are being charged excessively for content that should be included in the base price.
“Back when games used to be good and not just a $60 cash grab.”
