Sable Reviews
Sable has good bones, and beautiful skin, but everything in between is broken and half formed. A few patches in, this game could easily become a cult classic. However, the issues in dialogue and quest design aren't likely to be patched away. Hopefully we'll see this concept tackled again, without all the bumps in the road launching it wildly off course.
There’s nothing wrong with a game about doing simple things, and enjoying a relaxing journey in between, but in Sable, we could never relax.
Sable is a third-person exploration game about riding a hoverbike through a huge desert and looking for adventure. It gives you plenty of room for relaxing rides, and there are enough activities floating around to keep you busy.
Playing Sable very well may be as close as one can get to a meditative experience while playing a game. Few games feel as good to simply exist within as Sable. The game’s gorgeous visuals, warm and comforting music, and intuitive game design all come together to create a unique experience about trying to find one’s place in the world through an expression of an individual’s freedom.
If a true voyage of discovery appeals to you, you will be in your element exploring Midden and it’s many mysteries, and with Day One Availablity on Xbox Game Pass, it should probably be at the top of your download queue. I ended up as a Trader by the way – which Mask will you choose at your journeys end?
Sable is an exploration game, plain and simple. Everything revolves around this action, and everything we will do will be to that end. This seasoned with one of the best visuals that you will see this year. A marvel.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Sable is a game with an artistic intent, it incites thought on the meaning of life through its enchanting journey. Unfortunately, for a game focused on quests, the title should offer information more clearly and in a more accessible fashion. Nonetheless, the experience is overall really rich and interesting, turning it into an easy recommendation for adventure games fans and those looking for artistic experiences. I hope that eventual patches will fix the game's main issues.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Sable does so much well that it’s a shame that these issues consistently distract from its stunning world. This is the sort of game that may be easy to recommend in a few months after a few patches, but I can only rate the game as it is. There’s still a lot to like here if you’re willing to put up with some frustration along the way. Just know that if you purchase it now, you’ll be dealing with a less than smooth ride.
While there are a few flaws that prevent the journey for being an otherwise excellent experience, it is still an undoubtedly memorable pilgrimage. If you’re looking for a game that doesn’t hold your hand and free from any kind of pressure, then Sable may just be what you’re looking for.
When it comes to sound design and visual style, Sable blew me away. I couldn’t help but smile and prepare to get lost in a beautiful world. Unfortunately, that feeling doesn’t take long to fade away. There’s definitely enough to keep you engaged and interested, but I just yearned to get more out of this game, especially as it has compelling elements within the groundwork.
Stamina in games is something that I could complain about for days, but overall, it doesn’t completely detract from the game. It’s still a masterpiece of art and video game design. With a few less bugs and a couple of tweaks, this game could be absolutely perfect. I loved my playthrough and would suggest it to just about anyone who digs a chill game with a relaxing atmosphere.
Are video games art? In the case of Sable, I think it’s foolish to claim otherwise. It has been an honour to play and review this magnificent experience, with its jaw-dropping vistas, witty, personified dialogue, and genuinely unique world that offers something unmatched in video games. Sable will likely fly under the radar for a lot of people and were it not for the plethora of technical issues, this would be close to a score of the highest order. As it stands, the bugs do detract from the experience a little, but even so this is an absolute must-play title... I just wish there were more of it.
Sable is a game about the journey. In the end, there is a destination, but when you boot the game up after finishing it, you’ll be put back before you make the decision of what mask to wear.
Sable’s non-linear structure is liberating and lets you explore at your own pace and in whatever direction your whim takes you. But its many technical issues–including poor performance and game-breaking bugs–contrive to stymie your journey to the extent that your Gliding may never leave the launch pad.
Though Sable may have a fantastic art style and a large open world, with a variety of environments, its lack of a strong narrative and underwhelming gameplay fail to impress. The game may seem intriguing at first, but ultimately, it will leave players disappointed.
Sable cannot be recommended at launch and requires numerous updates to help it run well on this system. Any potential Sable's lore and art design had is ruined by graphical issues.
Sable’s ability to make the player feel so involved in such a hands-off approach to its open world is one that should be celebrated. The gameplay is a little one-note and the framerate can buckle under pressure, but it’s a game full of intrigue and wonderment that captivates you immensely. Not to mention exceptional cel shaded visuals and a zen like soundtrack that makes Sable enrapturing to explore.
I had a great time playing Sable and thoroughly enjoyed the game. The narrative and how it was told was delivered very well and helped me connect with Sable and the world. The story delivered from exploring and completing quests was both engaging and satisfying. I enjoyed the puzzle solving and travelling across Midden even if the hoverbike was a tad bumpy. I respected the cel-shaded design and Sable looked beautiful. However, textures and the environment looked low in detail and sometimes with parts of the landscape appearing through solid walls. The soundtrack and score of Sable were a big part of why I was so immersed in the game. Music coming from Japenese Breakfast especially at key scenes set the tone. Alongside environmental sounds and sometimes Sable herself, the game felt more engaging. With many hours of content and 57 trophies to win, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. I am pleased to give Sable the Thumb Culture Gold Award. I’m excited to see what the Shedworks brings us next after their debut game! I hope you enjoyed my Sable review as much as I enjoyed playing it. If so I also reviewed Broken Pieces which you can check out right here.
Sable's plethora of technical faults compels me to warn everyone about its current state on PS5, but I still sincerely hope you'll embark on The Gliding someday.
Sable is a game about self-discovery that unfortunately, doesn't live up to its potential.