Saber 7 things you should know
E3 has always been the time to see the latest updates on some of the most anticipated games.
And this year has been no exception with Shedworks' first game, Sable. Originally announced at E3 2018, Sable was slightly delayed with an expected 2020 release date, presumably due to Pandemic. However, that time has not been lost, as Sable continues to gain popularity, drawing attention for her unique visual style and straightforward storyline. The game tells the story of Sable, a young woman who is about to leave her tribe to explore the vast deserts and ruins that surround her home.
Since 2018 there have been small updates from the developers that gave a glimpse into the world of Sable, but it wasn't until this year that we finally got more details about the mechanics of the game and its protagonist. We have selected the most important information about Sable that you should know before getting on your paraglider and heading into the desert.
1. Saber is the first Shedworks game
Sable has received a lot of buzz in the press since its announcement, but it turns out that it's being developed by a relatively new studio run by just two friends, Daniel Feinberg and Gregorios Kitreotis. Although the studio was founded in 2014, Sable will be its first game.
They have worked on other projects with other groups, putting their talents into videos, apps, and music. Most recently in 2018, Shedworks collaborated with Sam Jacobs to create Disappear Here. However, Sable is his first attempt at developing a game on his own. Sable could be one of the brightest new indie games of the year, and the fact that it's made by such a "green" pair of developers is impressive.
2. Personalize your clothes and your sail
Clothes make the nomad. What is a rite of passage without changing the personality accordingly? Every good trip should allow the player to come to terms with the feelings that he begins to develop during his adventure, and Sable allows this in two ways.
Sable starts the game with only three pieces of clothing: pants, cape, and mask. However, it will be possible to mix and match these three garments with others found in the wasteland. It is not yet known if these suits will have their own mechanics or if they will remain purely cosmetic. Only time will tell.
The game's second main character, Saber's motorcycle, can also be customized. Parts for the motorcycle can be found all over the world, for example in the remains of fallen spaceships that lie in the middle of the desert. The changes Sable makes to his bike can even change the handling and speed characteristics of his hoverbike.
3. The influence of artistic style
Shedworks has openly stated their creative influences on the game's development. They cite French artist Mobius, Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli, and even the cartoon film Tintin as key sources of inspiration for his visual style.
The most notable and easily recognizable influence on Sable is the work of Moebius. In fact, aside from the soft colors and ancient cosmic hue that tie Sable and Moebius together, there are even shots that seem to be direct echoes of Moebius's work.
For example, the beginning of the game, in which Sable goes into the ruins to sit in front of a giant face that reminds of other scenes in the Moebius catalog. From the layout of the ruins to the mysterious airships floating in the sky, the strong influence of the French artist can be felt. So stay tuned, there may be other references to Moebius's work in Sable, or even another Shedworks source of inspiration.
4. An open and calm world
It might seem to Sable that this vast open world hides unknown dangers, but Shedworks wanted to emphasize exploration and getting lost in the world they've created. The player is free to explore the world without fear that something might hinder their progress or come out of the shadows.
The player has no limitations in this regard. By not being afraid, the player can focus on the experience of their journey, instead of planning a fight or fearing going into the desert. Sable seems to want players to get lost on the journey, climbing mountains and crawling through ruins in search of artifacts, upgrades, and themselves.
In addition to the bike parts, artifacts, and equipment that can be collected on Sable, eggs can be found on cliff tops and cliffs all over the world. Although the reward for them is unknown, their difficulty lies in how hidden and unusual they seem.
Although the world seems immense, it is not infinite. At the beginning of the game it was supposed to be possible to explore an unlimited world in Sable, but the game world has a limit, because the entire environment has been crafted and created for the player to enjoy. Everything in the game has a purpose.
5. Sable is not just a biker
While the hoverbike is really cool and the scenery looks like something out of the deserts of Tatooine, there are other ways to get around in the game. The first is the climbing mechanic, which resembles a more simplified version of the climbing system from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Sable can climb any surface in the game, but she is limited by a small stamina pool, and it doesn't look like that pool can be increased yet - the player will have to keep track of how she spends her stamina. In the demo, there doesn't seem to be an option to jump higher with low stamina to get a bit further, like in Zelda, but perhaps an update could change that.
In addition to climbing, Sable unlocks the ability to glide, using ancient secrets that seem to have been passed down in her tribe. Sable uses a cosmic ray-soaked stone from a nearby temple to create a bubble around him, and this bubble causes him to fall through the air much more slowly and with much more control. The ability to float will allow the player to traverse chasms that previously seemed impossible.
6. There is something more than sightseeing
However, the fact that there are no enemies in the desert does not mean that the player does not have to solve difficult problems. There are puzzles to solve to access new areas and learn more about the world. Sable will need to use her knowledge to interact with the environment, pick up key details, and maneuver through ruins and mountains to reach her destination.
The inhabitants of the world of Sable use technology scavenged from fallen spaceships, but its design remains somewhat of a mystery. Judging from the demo, some of the puzzles will revolve around the secrets of these ships, as will the ancient mysteries of the temple ruins scattered throughout the game.
There are even a few quests that Sable will do herself, including a bug hunt to find a part for her hoverbike, where the player first meets one of the young nomads from Sable's tribe. This search, although simple, also serves to show that things may not be as simple as they seem at first glance.
7. Characters are of paramount importance
Sable's story centers on a young woman who grows up leaving her home. Her story is based on isolation, and the way she reacts and learns about the world around her will be the center of attention. There will be plenty of quiet moments in the game, as Sable glides alone through the desert or slowly climbs a rock to reach a new artifact.
However, these moments will be offset by the characters that Sable will meet along the way. Just as Ella Sable encounters characters who guide her in her quest, she also has the opportunity to meet other people who will teach her more about the world and about herself.
In the demo version of the game, we can see this with the dialogue options and Sable's internal monologue as she reflects on her conversation with her friends. There are options that seem to slightly change the course of the conversation, but it is not clear to what extent these options can affect the course of the game.
Sable's story promises to be a story of exploration, introspection, and reflection, and we can't wait to see how she develops as a character during her sojourn in the barren wastelands.