Sable (video game)
A non-linear open world exploration game with no combat.
Sable is an open-world exploration game from the two-person studio Shedworks, published by Raw Fury. It launched on 23 September 2021 for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with a PlayStation 5 version following on 29 November 2022. The player controls a young girl named Sable, who leaves her nomadic clan on a coming-of-age ritual to find a suitable mask. Her journey across the ruined desert planet of Midden involves meeting characters who help her discover her role in the world, alongside tasks that include puzzle-solving and platforming through rock formations and ancient ruins.
The game offers a non-linear experience with no combat or fixed storyline. Its narrative unfolds through conversations with non-player characters and environmental storytelling, such as the remains of a lost civilization left open to interpretation. Gameplay focuses on simple puzzles, discovery, and traversal across sand dunes and ruins. A stamina gauge governs running, climbing, and mid-air gliding. Players can customize Sable’s hoverbike and clothing, including story-related masks. Bike parts and clothing are found by exploring or completing quests—often involving collecting small items like bugs or fruit. Clothing is mostly cosmetic, but different hoverbike parts affect maneuverability, acceleration, and top speed.
Development began in 2017 when Daniel Fineberg and Gregorios Kythreotis worked in a shed belonging to Kythreotis’s parents. The duo, known as Shedworks, were joined by writer Meg Jayanth. The soundtrack was composed by Michelle Zauner, performing as Japanese Breakfast. The game’s concept was inspired by the planet Jakku from *Star Wars: The Force Awakens*, while its art style drew from the sci-fi work of Jean Giraud (Mœbius) and *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*. All environments were hand-crafted. An art book, *Sable Design Works*, was published by Lost in Cult in 2024. The game debuted at the E3 2018 PC Gaming Show, where it was nominated for Best Independent Game. Originally planned for 2019, it was delayed twice before its 2021 release, supported by Raw Fury and Microsoft. It was also featured at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival, competing for the inaugural Tribeca Games Award.
Critical reception was mixed to favorable, according to Metacritic.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Sable
- Developer
- Shedworks
- Publisher
- Raw Fury
- Director
- Daniel Fineberg · Gregorios Kythreotis
- Designer
- Ioannis Pitsikalis
- Programmer
- Jourdan-Reiss Russell
- Artist
- Shanaz Byrne
- Writer
- Meg Jayanth · Kim Belair · David Bedard
- Composer
- Japanese Breakfast
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows · Xbox Series X/S · Xbox One · PlayStation 5
- Released
- Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S / 23 September 2021 / PlayStation 5 / 29 November 2022
- Genre
- Exploration
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Players control Sable, a young girl on a coming-of-age rite of passage to find an appropriate mask and return to her nomadic clan on the ruined desert planet of Midden. The game features simple puzzle-solving, platforming with a stamina gauge for running, climbing, and gliding, and customizable hoverbike and clothing items. Hoverbike parts affect maneuverability, acceleration, and top speed, while clothing is mostly cosmetic. The narrative is explored through NPC dialogue and environmental remnants of an ancient civilization. Development began in 2017 by the two-person team Shedworks, working in a shed. The game's concept came from the planet Jakku in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with art style inspired by Jean Giraud (Mœbius) and gameplay inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Environments are hand-crafted. The game premiered at E3 2018 PC Gaming Show, was twice delayed from a 2019 release, and was showcased at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival.
Reader's Guide
Sable received 'generally favorable' to 'mixed or average' reviews on Metacritic. Critics praised its gorgeous visuals, relaxing qualities, and easygoing approach to the post-game. The writing was commended for normalizing characters with understated, personable dialogue. The open-ended world and narrative were noted for setting it apart from other open-world games, with no wearying to-do list. However, some critics faulted clunky driving mechanics and difficult navigation. The game's soundtrack by Japanese Breakfast was released digitally on 24 September 2021, with CD and vinyl releases later. The soundtrack was praised for evoking the lyricism of a Hayao Miyazaki anime soundtrack and for being best experienced alongside in-game exploration. In October 2021, Raw Fury announced a first-look deal with dj2 Entertainment for potential film and television adaptations of Sable.
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