Sable, available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, is a serene open-world adventure from Shedworks, priced at £20.99 on Steam. This 8–10 hour journey follows Sable, a young nomad, on her Gliding rite across a vast desert planet. Its cel-shaded art and meditative gameplay make it a 2025 standout, though its minimal combat may not suit action fans. For exploration lovers, it’s a tranquil masterpiece.
You guide Sable through sandy dunes and ancient ruins, uncovering stories of her people via NPC quests and relics. The narrative, delivered through poetic dialogue, focuses on self-discovery, with choices—help a merchant or explore ruins—shaping your path. Its introspective tone captivates, though the lack of a central plot may feel aimless for some. Side quests, like mapping ruins or trading masks, add 3 hours, enriching the world with lore about forgotten machines.
Gameplay emphasizes exploration over conflict. Ride a hoverbike (20 km/h, 50 stamina) across open deserts, climbing cliffs (10-meter reach) or gliding (15-meter drop) to reach secrets. Puzzles involve activating glyphs (5-second hold) or aligning platforms, rewarding masks (+10% stamina) or bike parts (+5% speed). The absence of combat, replaced by environmental challenges like sandstorms (slows movement 20%), keeps the focus on discovery. The 5 biomes—canyons, shipwrecks, crystal caves—offer diverse vistas, though navigation relies on a compass, requiring patience.
The interface is minimalist, with a clean HUD at 1080p 60fps, ideal for immersion. The learning curve is gentle—master bike controls in 30 minutes—but finding secrets takes trial-and-error. A patch fixed bike physics, ensuring smooth rides. Community tips suggest climbing high peaks for map reveals, uncovering 15% more ruins. Visually, *Sable* dazzles with Moebius-inspired cel-shading, its golden sands and starry skies paired with Japanese Breakfast’s dreamy score, though some tracks loop noticeably. Performance is flawless, even in expansive dunes.
Replayability comes from open-ended exploration and 3 ending paths based on quest choices. Collecting 50 masks or 20 bike parts unlocks cosmetic skins, adding post-game charm, though the lack of combat limits variety. Multiplayer is absent, but the solo journey feels intimate. Accessibility is strong, with adjustable controls and colorblind modes, though the compass-only navigation may frustrate some. Repetitive fetch quests are minor, softened by the world’s beauty.
Flaws include the loose narrative and occasional empty stretches, but the game’s serenity—evident in every glide—makes it shine. Sable is an exploration lover’s dream, blending art and tranquility. Embark on your Gliding and find your path! #GamingReviews #Sable
