Sable is an open-world exploration video game developed by Shedworks and published by Raw Fury. It was released on September 23, 2021, for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and later for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. The game is celebrated for its distinctive art style, evocative atmosphere, and focus on non-linear exploration.
Gameplay Sable centers on the journey of the titular character, Sable, a young girl undertaking her "Gliding" ritual, a rite of passage that requires her to leave her nomadic clan and explore the vast desert world of Midden. Players navigate this world on foot, by climbing, and primarily with a customizable hoverbike. The game's core mechanics involve exploration, environmental puzzle-solving, and light platforming. There is no combat in Sable; instead, progression is driven by discovering new areas, interacting with various characters, and completing quests to earn different masks, which symbolize aspects of the world's cultures and Sable's own potential future. Players collect various items, such as parts for their hoverbike, clothing for Sable, and "Scrap" currency. A stamina system governs climbing and sprinting, encouraging thoughtful traversal. The game offers complete freedom to explore the world at one's own pace, without strict objectives or a linear narrative path.
Plot and Setting The narrative of Sable is a coming-of-age story about self-discovery and finding one's identity. Sable embarks on her Gliding journey to explore the world and decide what kind of person she wants to be, ultimately choosing a mask that represents her chosen path. The world of Midden is a vast, sandy expanse dotted with ancient ruins, crashed spaceships, and unique geological formations, hinting at a lost civilization. Various nomadic clans and isolated settlements inhabit this world, each with their own traditions and roles. Sable's interactions with these characters provide insight into the world's lore and offer her opportunities to reflect on her own aspirations. The game's themes include individuality, personal growth, and the beauty of quiet introspection.
Art Style and Audio One of Sable's most distinctive features is its unique visual aesthetic. The game employs a cel-shaded art style with strong, clean lines, inspired by the works of French comic artist Jean Giraud (Moebius) and Studio Ghibli. This gives the game a hand-drawn, comic book-like appearance, characterized by vibrant colors and stark lighting that shifts dramatically with the day-night cycle. The visual design is central to establishing the game's ethereal and tranquil atmosphere. The original soundtrack was composed by Japanese Breakfast (Michelle Zauner), providing a dreamy, atmospheric, and melancholic backdrop that perfectly complements the game's visuals and themes of quiet exploration and personal reflection.
Development Sable was developed by Shedworks, a small independent studio founded by Gregorios Kythreotis and Daniel Fineberg. The game was conceptualized with a strong emphasis on artistic vision and a non-combative, exploration-focused gameplay loop. Its development was notable for its ambitious art style and the challenges of realizing such a distinct visual identity in a 3D open world.
Reception Sable received generally positive reviews upon release. Critics widely praised its unique art style, immersive atmosphere, and the freedom of its open-world exploration. The soundtrack by Japanese Breakfast also garnered significant acclaim for enhancing the game's emotional depth. Common criticisms sometimes pointed to its slow pacing, occasional technical issues, and a perceived lack of complex gameplay mechanics beyond traversal and light puzzle-solving. Despite these minor points, the game was lauded for offering a refreshing and meditative experience distinct from many mainstream titles.