Better late than never: Sable on GamePass
Stunning and stuttering, but only until October 15 (unless you just want to buy it)
In this, our age of Netflix-style subscriptions, there’s a new kind of anxiety. Or at least, an old type of anxiety that’s newly contextualized.
I’m talking about the “going to leave [subscription] soon” anxiety. It’s that pressuring feeling that the thing you’re paying for — depending upon whom you ask, maybe paying relatively too little for — may soon vanish in a puff of smoke.
For the most part, this anxiety is oppressive.
Yet, sometimes a deadline can be good. At least, sometimes a deadline can force you to try that thing you’ve been meaning to try. You might need that nudge to experience that thing that always lost that photo finish with something else (let’s be honest: probably that comfortable thing you usually default to).
“Sable,” an artsy indie game soon to leave Xbox GamePass, is the most recent example of this situation. In the case of Sable, that game will leave Microsoft’s almost-nefariously-good-deal of a service on October 15.
First things first, Sable stands as one of the examples of video games — nay, art? — leaning on art direction to look great, rather than a budget pushing for photorealism.
Yes, you can say that Sable’s art style is an “acquired taste.” But, folks, I sure acquired a taste for this. In fact, I might need to delve deeper into all things “Moebius-style.”
If that art style isn’t enough for you, here’s the elevator pitch:
“You know how it was fun to see if you could climb that thing in Breath of the Wild? Well, Sable is sort of like if that was a game.”
Yes, that’s too much of a simplification. Especially since I’m someone who’s making that comparison without finishing the game yet (or ever?). But even with the limited time I’ve spent with “Sable,” I can say that it captures some of that “ah-ha! moment” feeling of “Breath of the Wild” that few other games ever will.
(Note: if you haven’t tried “Breath of the Wild” yet but already have a Nintendo Switch, or can even borrow one from someone … you should probably get on that.)
Now, “Sable” has its problems — even relatively early on. It’s as stuttering as it is stunning, as the art style seems to slow down even high-powered video game machines. (My reckless spending on an Xbox Series X did not make my version of the game immune to hiccups.)
Yet, if you’re like me, you’ve just sort of grown up being used to the jank. Frankly, the idea of a “buttery-smooth framerate” still feels a bit foreign, and maybe creates a craving for some crispy toast.
Anyway, I’m rushing this mini-review of “Sable” out at this ungodly hour because, truly, the clock is ticking. At least if you want to try this generally chill game in the very un-chill but wallet-friendly way of squeezing it in before the GamePass deadline.
Just like those sweaty college papers we all rushed in, right?
Snooty voice: Welcome to Passterpiece Theater. Here, we ponder video games, particularly ones available on subscription services, most likely Xbox GamePass. That said, free-to-play games, titles on Playstation’s answer to GamePass, or even full-priced games may be considered. That’s because I make the rules. Mouhahahaha.