Sable (video game)#Soundtrack

{{lang|fr|Sable}} is an open world exploration video game, in which the player can roam and adventure in a non-linear way. The game has no combat or set storyline, since the narrative is explored through NPC dialogue and environmental cues, such as remnants of an ancient civilization left to interpretation. It emphasizes simple puzzle-solving and discovery, traversing sand dunes and ruins. Platforming mechanics are put into place through a stamina gauge that allows for running and climbing, as well as the ability to glide in mid-air.

Parts of the game are customizable, such as Sable's hoverbike and clothing, including the story driven masks. Both hoverbike parts and clothing items can be acquired either by simply exploring the game's world, or by completing quests given by an array of characters, which often revolve around collecting small materials such as bugs or fruit. While clothing is purely cosmetic, with the exception of a few masks, different hoverbike parts affect how the player traverses the world of Midden, with different parts offering several degrees of maneuverability, acceleration and top speed.{{Citation|title=Sable: Why Your Bike Matters| date=September 8, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V12D46jvlfs|language=en|access-date=2022-02-18}}

Daniel Fineberg and Gregorios Kythreotis began development on Sable in 2017, working in a shed belonging to the latter's parents.{{Cite web |last1=Kent |first1=Emma |title=Gorgeous sci-fi indie Sable will now release next year |work=Eurogamer |date=2019-05-28 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-05-28-sci-fi-indie-sable-will-now-release-next-year |language=en |access-date=2020-07-25 |df=mdy-all }} The two-person indie development team is known as Shedworks. Writer Meg Jayanth also contributed to the game, while musician American singer-songwriter, Michelle Zauner, using the name of her band Japanese Breakfast, provided the game's soundtrack.{{r|PCG: Everything}}

The game's concept came from the planet Jakku on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.{{Cite web |last1=Avard |first1=Alex |title='What if Rey never left Jakku?' - How indie darling Sable is inspired by Star Wars: The Force Awakens |work=GamesRadar |date=2018-11-16 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/what-if-rey-never-left-jakku-how-indie-darling-sable-is-inspired-by-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ |language=en |access-date=2020-07-25 |df=mdy-all }} Its art style was inspired by the sci-fi works of Jean Giraud (who is commonly known under the name Mœbius). The game was also inspired by Breath of the Wild, of The Legend of Zelda series.{{cite news |last1=Peltz |first1=Jonathan |title=On 'Sable': "You'll See Other Quests in the Game That Are a Bit Silly" |url=https://www.wired.com/story/sable-game-interview-shedworks-creative-director/ |access-date=14 October 2021 |magazine=Wired |date=22 September 2021}} Each of the game's environments are hand-crafted.{{r|PCG: Everything}} An extensive art book titled Sable Design Works was published by Lost in Cult in 2024.Sledge, Ben. [https://www.thegamer.com/sable-design-works-book-review-a-beautiful-game-design-treatise/ "Book Review: A Beautiful Game Design Treatise"], The Gamer, 6 Jan 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.

The game premiered at the E3 2018 PC Gaming Show, where it was nominated for Best Independent Game.{{Cite web|last=Fogel|first=Stefanie|date=2018-06-28|title='Anthem,' 'Sekiro' Top Nominees for the Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2018|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/game-critics-awards-best-of-e3-2018-1202860629/|access-date=2022-02-18|website=Variety|language=en-US}} Originally scheduled for 2019, the game was twice delayed for a 2021 release.{{r|PCG: Everything}} Its release was supported by Raw Fury and Microsoft.{{r|nextyear}} The game was showcased at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival, where it competed for the inaugural Tribeca Games Award.{{r|THR: Tribeca}}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = PC: 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sable/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Sable for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=November 19, 2021}}
XONE: 74/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sable/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Sable for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=October 1, 2021}}
XSXS: 71/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sable/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=Sable for Xbox Series X Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=October 19, 2021}}
PS5: 73/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sable/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Sable for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=December 26, 2022}}

| CGM = 8/10{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Zubi |title=Sable (PC) Review |url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/sable-pc-review/ |website=Computer Games Magazine |date=22 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}}

| GI = 8.75/10{{cite magazine |last1=Grodt |first1=Jill |title=Sable Review – Captivating Gameplay Behind A Beautiful Mask |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/sable/sable-review-captivating-gameplay-behind-a-beautiful-mask |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923065153/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/sable/sable-review-captivating-gameplay-behind-a-beautiful-mask |url-status=live |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |magazine=Game Informer |date=22 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}}

| GRadar = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |title=Sable review: "Downright beautiful in its execution and storytelling" {{!}} Aces high |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/sable-review/ |website=GamesRadar |date=22 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}}

| IGN = 7/10{{cite web |last1=Northup |first1=Travis |title=Sable Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sable-review |website=IGN |date=22 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}}

| PCGUK = 93/100{{cite web |last1=Clayton |first1=Natalie |title=Sable review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/sable-review/ |website=PC Gamer |date=22 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}}

| PCGN = 8/10{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Ian |title=Sable review – equal parts Zelda, Moebius, and itself |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/sable/review-pc |website=PCGamesN |date=22 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}}

| SN = 8/10{{cite web |last1=Erskine |first1=Donovan |title=Sable review: The journey beyond |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/126751/sable-review-the-journey-beyond |website=Shacknews |date=22 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}}

| VG = 7/10{{cite web |last1=Wise |first1=Josh |title=Sable review |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/sable-review/ |website=www.videogamer.com |date=22 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}}

}}

Sable received "generally favorable" to "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.

Jonathan Peltz, writing for Wired, praised the game as "[...] gorgeous and endlessly GIF-able".{{cite news |last1=Peltz |first1=Jonathan |title=On 'Sable': "You'll See Other Quests in the Game That Are a Bit Silly" |url=https://www.wired.com/story/sable-game-interview-shedworks-creative-director/ |access-date=22 September 2021 |magazine=Wired |date=22 September 2021}} Alice Bell of Rock Paper Shotgun, credited the game for looking "[...] fabulous in the flesh" and managing to meet the aesthetic expectations set by trailers and teased content.{{cite news |last1=Bell |first1=Alice |title=Sable review: a beautiful adventure beset by troubling bugs |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sable-review |access-date=24 September 2021 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |date=22 September 2021 |language=en}} However, she faulted the game for a number of small irritations, including clunky driving mechanics and difficult navigation, comparing these to the annoyances caused by grains of sand in reality. Inverse's Tomas Franzese praised the game for its relaxing qualities.{{cite news |last1=Franzese |first1=Tomas |title='Sable' is the most relaxing game since 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/sable-game-review |access-date=14 October 2021 |work=Inverse |date=28 September 2021 |language=en}} The Washington Post liked the game's approach to the post-game, saying that it adopted "one of the most easygoing approaches to an endgame I’ve come across in an open-world game".{{Cite news|title=Review {{!}} 'Sable': An art game for people who like adventure games, and vice versa|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/10/01/sable-game-review/|access-date=2021-12-01|issn=0190-8286}}

PC Gamer's Natalie Clayton enjoyed the various points of interest placed throughout the world, describing it as "enigmatic" and "memorable". GameSpot praised the writing of the title, especially praising how it helped normalize characters, "The writing is a strong point, too, namely because it's relatively understated. These characters are just regular people going about their lives, and this is reflected in their personable dialogue". Game Informer liked the side content of the game, noting how it created "narrative variety" and made use of unexplored parts of the map. The Guardian felt the open-ended nature of Sable's world and narrative helped set it apart from other open world games, saying that, "There are whispered points of interest, but there is no wearying to-do list, and as such your journey and destination are uniquely, wonderfully personal".{{Cite web|date=2021-11-06|title=Sable review – go build yourself a future, girl|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2021/nov/06/sable-review-go-build-yourself-a-future-girl|access-date=2021-12-01|website=the Guardian|language=en}}

Sable was nominated for the "Best Debut Indie Game" award at The Game Awards 2021,{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2021-nominations-announced |title=The Game Awards Nominations Announced |first=Adele |last=Ankers |website=ign.com |date=16 November 2021 |access-date=13 December 2021}} while also garnering nominations for the Golden Joystick Awards' 2021 categories of "Best Audio" and "Best Indie Game".{{Cite web|author1=Ben Tyrer|date=2021-10-19|title=Golden Joystick Awards 2021: see the full list of nominees and how to vote today|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/golden-joystick-awards-2021-nominations/|access-date=2022-02-18|website=gamesradar|language=en}} The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Sable for "Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game" at the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.{{cite web |last1=Bankhurst |first1=Adam |title=DICE Awards 2022 Winners: The Full List |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/dice-awards-2022-how-to-watch-all-the-nominees-and-what-to-expect-winners |website=IGN |date=February 25, 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022}} Sable was also elected as PC Gamer{{'}}s Best Narrative of 2021.{{Cite news|author1=PC Gamer|date=2021-12-27|title=Best Narrative 2021: Sable|language=en|work=PC Gamer|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/best-narrative-2021-sable/|access-date=2022-02-18}}

In October 2021, Raw Fury announced that they had entered in a first-look deal with dj2 Entertainment to develop adaptations of games including Sable, Night Call, and Mosaic for film and television.{{cite web|title=Raw Fury Sets First-Look Deal With dj2 Entertainment for Film, Television Projects (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/raw-fury-first-look-deal-dj2-entertainment-1235084614/|work=Variety|first=Joe|last=Otterson|date=11 October 2021|access-date=11 October 2021}}

{{split|Sable (soundtrack)|date=March 2024|section=yes|discuss=Talk:Sable_(video_game)#Split_proposal}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Sable (Original Video Game Soundtrack)

| type = soundtrack

| artist = Japanese Breakfast

| cover =

| alt =

| released = {{Date|24 September 2021}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = New age

| length = 95:52

| label = {{hlist|Sony Masterworks|Dead Oceans}}

| producer =

| prev_title = Jubilee

| prev_year = 2021

| next_title = For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women)

| next_year = 2025

| misc = {{Singles

| type = soundtrack

| single1 = Glider

| single1date = {{Date|27 August 2021}}

}}

}}

{{Album reviews

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web |last=Collar |first=Matt |title=Sable – Japanese Breakfast |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sable-mw0003581462 |access-date=December 18, 2021 |website=AllMusic}}

| rev2 = Pitchfork

| rev2score = 7.5/10{{cite news |last1=Yu |first1=Zhenzhen |title=Japanese Breakfast: Sable (Original Video Game Soundtrack) |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/japanese-breakfast-sable-original-video-game-soundtrack/ |access-date=24 September 2021 |work=Pitchfork |date=23 September 2021 |language=en}}

}}

Sable (Original Video Game Soundtrack) is a soundtrack album by American indie rock band Japanese Breakfast for the 2021 video game Sable. It was released digitally by Sony Masterworks and Dead Oceans on {{Date|24 September 2021}}, with CD copies released on {{Date|29 October 2021}}, and vinyl set for release on {{Date|1 April 2022}}.{{cite web|url=https://roughtrade.com/us/japanese-breakfast/sable-original-video-game-soundtrack/cd-x2|title=Sable (Original Video Game Soundtrack) CD|website=Rough Trade US|access-date=18 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://roughtrade.com/us/japanese-breakfast/sable-original-video-game-soundtrack/lp-x2|title=Sable (Original Video Game Soundtrack) LP|website=Rough Trade US|access-date=18 December 2021}} The album was preceded by the single "Glider" on {{Date|27 August 2021}}.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/japanese-breakfast-details-new-sable-soundtrack-releases-glider-listen/|title=Japanese Breakfast Details New Sable Soundtrack, Releases "Glider": Listen|last=Minsker|first=Evan|website=Pitchfork|date=27 August 2021}}

Michelle Zauner, the band's lead singer and songwriter, was contacted by Fineberg directly to compose the soundtrack, as he was aware of her enjoyment of video games.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Lewis |title=Japanese Breakfast on Writing the 'Sable' Soundtrack |url=https://www.wired.com/story/sable-game-japanese-breakfast-michelle-zauner-interview/ |access-date=14 October 2021 |magazine=Wired}} Zauner began writing the score with concept art and some written descriptions of places in the game for inspiration and guidance. The game's developers sought someone who had not previously composed a video game soundtrack in the hopes of avoiding stylistic conventions associated with scoring games. Zauner has called the song "Better the Mask", written for the game, her "favorite song [she has] ever written as an artist.".{{cite news |last1=Frank |first1=Allegra |title=Japanese Breakfast Thinks This Is the Best Song She's Ever Written |url=https://slate.com/culture/2021/09/japanese-breakfast-best-song-sable-game-soundtrack-interview.html |access-date=14 October 2021 |work=Slate Magazine |date=26 September 2021 |language=en}}

The soundtrack of Sable consists mainly of ambient-tinged songs with "new age-inspired instrumentals that nicely conjure the environmental landscapes and moods of the game play". It combines synthesizers, guitars, and both digital and analogue percussion to craft "textured and deeply enveloping soundscapes". "Glider" and "Better the Mask" are two traditional indie pop tunes, with the later inspired by 1970s singer-songwriter music. The score is mainly location-based with different tracks differentiating the in-game cycle of night and day.

Matt Collar of AllMusic said that the album "evoke[s] the poignant lyricism of a Hayao Miyazaki anime soundtrack" and praised Zauner's "ability to translate wide-eyed filmic emotions into pop magic." Pitchfork writer Zhenzhen Yu called the score "Not so much an album as the nerve system of a narrative" and said that it would be "best experienced alongside the physical act of in-game exploration."

{{reflist|refs=

{{Cite web |last1=Horti |first1=Samuel |title=Sable: Everything we know so far |work=PC Gamer |date=2019-07-18 |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/sable-game-release-date-everything-we-know/ |language=en-US |access-date=2020-07-25 |df=mdy-all }}

{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/tribeca-festival-unveils-official-games-lineup-including-annapurna-twelve-minutes-1234948692/ |title=Tribeca Festival Unveils Games Lineup Including Annapurna Interactive's 'Twelve Minutes' |last=Beresford |first=Trilby |work=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=MRC |date=May 6, 2021 |accessdate=May 7, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506152719/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/tribeca-festival-unveils-official-games-lineup-including-annapurna-twelve-minutes-1234948692/ |archivedate=May 6, 2021 |url-status=live }}

}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{Cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Darran |title=How the Devs Behind 'Sable' Found Inspiration in the Enigmatic |work=Vice |date=2019-05-07 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-the-devs-behind-sable-found-inspiration-in-the-enigmatic/ |language=en |access-date=2020-07-25 |df=mdy-all }}
• {{Cite web |last1=Chan |first1=Stephanie |title=Sable's alien desert is a central figure in its story |work=VentureBeat |date=2018-06-22 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/06/22/sables-alien-desert-is-a-central-figure-in-its-story/ |language=en-US |access-date=2020-07-25 |df=mdy-all }}
• {{Cite web |last1=Packwood |first1=Lewis |title=Sable is a Beautiful Tribute to 1980s French Comics, and Much More Besides |work=Kotaku UK |date=2018-06-27 |url=https://www.kotaku.co.uk/2018/06/27/sable-is-a-beautiful-tribute-to-1980s-french-comics-and-much-more-besides |language=en |access-date=2020-07-25 |df=mdy-all }}
• {{Cite web |last1=Souppouris |first1=Aaron |title='Sable' is gorgeous, but will live or die on its story |work=Engadget |date=2018-08-23 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018-08-23-sable-hands-on.html |language=en |access-date=2020-07-25 |df=mdy-all }}

{{refend}}

• {{official website|https://www.shed-works.co.uk/sable}}

{{Portal bar|Video games}}

{{Japanese Breakfast}}

Category:2021 video games

Category:Windows games

Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games

Category:Indie games

Category:Open-world video games

Category:Adventure games

Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Xbox One games

Category:Video games with cel-shaded animation

Category:Video games featuring female protagonists

Category:Video games set on fictional planets

Category:Raw Fury games