Sable Reviews
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.
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.
If the idea of a game that offers you a true sense of freedom appeals to you, you’ll undoubtedly get a kick out of Sable. Its expertly-crafted narrative alone will inspire you to keep going, but repetitive quests and an often barren world may dampen your spirits a little. Still, there’s a lot to enjoy here, and if its art style resonates with you, you’ll find it easy to lose hour after hour in Sable‘s unique world.
It’s your very own desert coming-of-age story! In the world of Sable, traverse a unique and enchanting world, climb the highest peaks, solve puzzles and make ancient discoveries, assist other travelers or even map out the continent – it’s all up to you!
In a gaming landscape where everything has to be big, bold and brash, Sable stands out as a calm escape from the norm. Its relaxing, low-fi approach with an equally soothing soundtrack will be the perfect escape for those who wish to just kick back, relax and explore.
Sadly, some of the joy of exploration is dampened by the stuttering framerate which frequently gets a bit choppy, especially when wandering through busier areas. You’re also likely to encounter bugs with things like merchants not having any stock for sale or your hoverbike disappearing. Reloading the game does seem to fix many issues, but these little niggles do begin to get irritating over time. It’s a shame as, apart from these issues, exploring Sable’s strange and mysterious land is an absolute delight.
With its striking art direction, haunting soundtrack and focus on exploration, Sable is a great journey about understanding yourself. Frequent stuttering and some bugs bring the experience down though.
It offers an otherworldly break from the busyness of life, and, when you do return to Earth, you will do so with a smooth landing, and without stress.
Sable is a difficult game to rate: if you think only of the quality of the work from an aesthetic and narrative point of view, the number at the bottom of the review should skyrocket. Exploration is everything here: the game really comes into its own when you take the liberty of setting your own course. Unfortunately, analyzing the work of Shedworks as a whole, one cannot help but notice how the technical limits weigh on a gameplay that is not particularly inspired, even going so far as to undermine the user's involvement during the game session.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Sable is a truly wondrous and serene experience at times, but lift the mask and you find it's also one that has its flaws and inconveniences. If you can see past its weaknesses, this is a journey of pure and innocent discovery that's well worth taking.
Sable is a beautiful, minimalist voyage that's hindered by bugs and bland puzzles.
I think that whether you enjoy Sable will very much depend on your mood and expectations. Some gamers will appreciate it for the chill, Zen-like, conflict-and-combat-free, emotionally resonant story that it absolutely is. Other gamers may grow impatient with its lack of real incident, and weary of the pace and absence of challenge. I tend to land in the latter camp. Sable is a beautiful game, but it needs to rev up the dramatic engine or raise the stakes for the player to keep fidgety gamers like me engaged.
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 a slow paced exploration game with some Zelda sprinkled on top. At times some of the “wandering around” you do will seem needless yet all the beautiful vistas and adequately designed quests will pull you back in.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Sable is a fascinating and unique journey that lets the player discover the world of Midden and face a poetic but pretty empty open world.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing voyage of soul-searching self-discovery, Sable is also a rewarding jaunt across an otherworldly desert that involves climbing, hoverbiking, and gliding. And rather good it is, too.
In Sable, all parts intertwine in a perfect manner. Alone the technical deficiencies currently impair the experience.
Review in German | Read full review
Sable is a fascinating coming of age videogame with an incredible art direction inspired by the works of the late Jean Giraud.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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 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.