Sable

The story of Sable has received praise from several critics for its focus on self-discovery, coming-of-age themes, and exploration. Critics like PlayStation Universe and Hobby Consolas appreciate how the game follows the protagonist, Sable, on a journey of personal growth and transition from childhood to adulthood through the ritual of 'Gliding'. The narrative is described as warm, intimate, and engaging, with a unique premise that explores identity and freedom. Critics such as Game Informer and Screen Rant also commend the game for its lovable characters and moments that capture the essence of growing up and leaving home for the first time. However, some critics, like Gaming Age and VGC, express concerns about the scattered nature of the story and the lack of engagement it provides. Gaming Age mentions that the story feels disjointed and fails to captivate players enough to delve deeper into its narrative. VGC criticizes the confusing quest structure and dull quest design, which may hinder the overall storytelling experience. Noisy Pixel also notes the potential for a captivating narrative in Sable but points out the lack of impactful interactions or moments that could elevate the storytelling. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Sable offers a unique and meditative storytelling experience centered around themes of self-discovery, exploration, and personal growth. While some critics highlight the engaging narrative and character development, others point out the shortcomings in storytelling coherence and engagement. The game's emphasis on exploration, identity, and the protagonist's journey resonates positively with many reviewers, creating a distinct and immersive narrative experience. Critics like TheGamer and PCGamesN appreciate the game's focus on youth, travel, and self-discovery, while acknowledging areas for improvement in quest design and narrative depth. Despite differing opinions on specific aspects of the story, the overall sentiment leans towards a positive reception for Sable's narrative direction and thematic exploration.

The gameplay of Sable has received praise for its emphasis on exploration, platforming, and unique mechanics such as climbing, riding a hoverbike, and solving puzzles. Critics like PlayStation Universe appreciate the elegance in movement and the standout hoverbike mechanics that offer a graceful and thrilling experience. The freedom to explore the world on a hoverbike, complete quests, and interact with NPCs, as mentioned by Push Square, adds depth to the gameplay experience. Additionally, the meditative exploration, quest completion, customization options for the hoverbike and character, as highlighted by Xbox Achievements, contribute to a rewarding and immersive gameplay loop. On the other hand, some critics have pointed out certain shortcomings in the gameplay of Sable. The lack of challenge and variety in the puzzles, as noted by Metro GameCentral and IGN, detracts from the overall engagement for players. Critics like Gaming Age and GameSkinny have also mentioned the repetitive nature of fetch quests and the lack of substantial content in the world, which may lead to a sense of monotony for players. Technical issues, as highlighted by KeenGamer, further hinder the gameplay experience, impacting the overall enjoyment and immersion in the game. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of Sable leans towards the positive aspects of exploration, unique mechanics, and the serene atmosphere the game offers. While some critics acknowledge the lack of challenge in puzzles and the presence of repetitive quests, the emphasis on player-driven exploration, customization, and freedom to navigate the world at one's pace resonates positively with many reviewers. The diverse mechanics inspired by games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, as mentioned by CGMagazine and PC Invasion, contribute to a distinctive gameplay experience that sets Sable apart in the exploration genre. Despite some criticisms, the overall sentiment suggests that Sable provides a tranquil and immersive gameplay experience for players seeking a non-combat, exploration-focused adventure.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the graphics and visual design of Sable, highlighting its unique and stunning art style inspired by renowned artists like Moebius and Studio Ghibli. Critics such as Gaming Age, NME, and Guardian lauded the game for its gorgeous aesthetics, with sprawling landscapes, vibrant colors, and intricate details that immerse players in a dreamy and visually captivating world. The cel-shaded graphics, bold linework, and pastel color palette were particularly commended for creating a visually stunning and artistically distinctive experience. Additionally, the game's minimalist approach, use of lines, and flat colors, as noted by TheSixthAxis and Shacknews, were praised for bringing the world of Sable to life like a storybook or comic in motion. While the overall sentiment towards Sable's graphics and visual design was overwhelmingly positive, some critics did mention a few drawbacks. PlayStation Country and Xbox Achievements pointed out technical issues such as frame rate drops, occasional freezes, and visual glitches that detracted from the otherwise immersive experience. Hobby Consolas also highlighted issues like vegetation glitches and collision errors that affected the overall gameplay. Additionally, GamingBolt and COGconnected mentioned concerns about the emotionally distant art style feeling repetitive over time, and GamingTrend noted occasional depth perception issues in single-color areas. These criticisms, while present, were not significant enough to overshadow the game's impressive visual presentation. In conclusion, the consensus among critics is that Sable excels in delivering a visually stunning and artistically unique experience, with its graphics and visual design receiving high praise across the board. The game's distinct art style, inspired by iconic artists and animated films, captivated reviewers and players alike, immersing them in a beautifully crafted world filled with vibrant colors, intricate details, and a sense of wonder. Despite some technical issues and minor criticisms regarding repetitiveness, the overwhelming positive reception towards Sable's graphics and visual design solidifies its status as a standout indie title in terms of visual presentation and artistic direction.

The Sound Design and Music of Sable have garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics, with many praising the immersive and atmospheric experience created by the soundtrack. PlayStation Country and Hobby Consolas both highlight the engaging and mellow vibe of the music, which complements the gameplay and enhances the overall experience. Critics like Gaming Age and NME specifically commend the soundtrack composed by Japanese Breakfast, noting its appropriateness for the game's desolate world and its ability to add depth and emotion to the gameplay. Additionally, critics such as VideoGamer and TrueGaming appreciate the tranquil and serene feeling achieved through the minimalist and ambient tracks, further emphasizing the positive impact of the music on the game. On the flip side, a few critics express minor criticisms regarding the music of Sable. COGconnected mentions that the acoustic and understated music can sometimes feel repetitive, while Screen Rant points out issues with sound cues occurring at the wrong times. These criticisms suggest that while the overall quality of the music is highly regarded, there may be some room for improvement in terms of variety and technical aspects of the sound design. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of Sable. The majority of reviewers appreciate the fantastic soundtrack provided by Japanese Breakfast, with its ambient, original, and immersive qualities enhancing the meditative and contemplative experience of playing the game. Critics like KeenGamer and PC Gamer specifically highlight the impactful and memorable nature of the sound design and music, emphasizing their significant contribution to the game's world and narrative moments. The positive reception from multiple critics underscores the importance of sound design and music in creating a captivating and enjoyable gameplay experience in Sable.

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In terms of positives for the gaming platforms, some critics noted specific strengths. For PlayStation 5, PlayStation Universe mentioned that despite occasional hitches, players eventually adapt to them. Xbox Series X received praise from Xbox Achievements for its hypnotic exploration compensating for technical shortcomings. On PC, PC Gamer highlighted ongoing efforts by the developer to improve technical performance shortly after launch. On the flip side, the negatives for each platform are evident. PlayStation 5 faced issues like erratic frame rates and freezes, as noted by PlayStation Country. Xbox Series X encountered various technical problems, including bugs, glitches, and performance issues, as highlighted by multiple critics like Hobby Consolas and Metro GameCentral. PC players faced a range of technical issues such as graphical bugs, stuttering, and crashes, as reported by critics like GameSkinny and PC Invasion. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Sable suffers from significant technical issues across all platforms, detracting from the overall experience. Critics like GamingTrend and TrueGaming noted unoptimized performance and poor technical performance on Xbox One, respectively. Furthermore, IGN Italia and Screen Rant highlighted bugs and glitches affecting gameplay. Despite some positive aspects like immersive exploration and patch promises, the prevalent sentiment is that technical shortcomings significantly impact the enjoyment of Sable across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Replay Value of Sable are quite diverse, with some highlighting the positive aspects that contribute to replayability. PlayStation Universe mentions that the game offers around eight hours of gameplay with quieter moments and a fresh perspective upon replaying. NME also points out that the game encourages creating your own stories and discovering new details with each playthrough, keeping players interested in exploring the desert world multiple times. PC Gamer praises the vast open world, diverse tasks, puzzles, and customization options, along with the additional layers of replayability provided by exploring ancient starships, uncovering ruins, and discovering secrets. On the other hand, several critics express concerns about the lack of compelling reasons for replaying Sable. Hey Poor Player notes that the absence of a structured story hinders the game's replay value, as it lacks a compelling reason for multiple playthroughs. Metro GameCentral criticizes the game for its repetitive missions, lack of engaging gameplay elements, and the overall dispiriting experience it may offer to players due to the lack of tangible rewards and structure. Noisy Pixel goes as far as stating that there is no replayability factor in the game, suggesting that it feels like a one-time experience, which may deter players from revisiting the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics seems to lean towards the positive aspects of Sable's replay value, with many highlighting the freedom to explore, create unique stories, and discover new details with each playthrough. However, there are valid concerns raised by critics such as Metro GameCentral and Noisy Pixel regarding the lack of structured story, engaging gameplay elements, and overall replayability factor. Despite these criticisms, the game's focus on exploration, player choice, and unique mechanics seems to cater to a specific audience interested in a non-violent, open-world adventure experience, as noted by We Got This Covered. Ultimately, while Sable may not appeal to all players in terms of replay value, it offers a distinct and personal journey that encourages exploration and self-discovery, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking a different kind of gaming adventure.