It's been a little while since we checked in on Sable, the sci-fi desert game being made by a dev team based in a North London shed, but this week I was able to go hands-on for the very first time - and I'm pleased to report it's not just a looker. Sable might be one of the most soothing games I've ever played, and even its opening stages are capable of producing a powerful sense of wanderlust.
For those who need a refresh, Sable is an open-world game by Shedworks that's coming to Xbox and PC later this year. You play as a young girl who leaves her clan as part of a rite-of-passage ceremony. This takes the form of a solo adventure across the desert, during which Sable must find a mask that represents her identity and role in society. The focus is very much on exploration and parkour, with no combat and a lot of bike-riding.
Before you're unleashed into the wide world, however, you must first learn the basics from your tribe inside an enclosed (but fairly roomy) area. Preparations must be made for the journey - it's not simply a matter of packing a suitcase and sailing away. There are several small tasks and quests that need to be completed before Sable can set off, but they never feel like annoying chores, and there's always some purpose behind them. The game emphasises the bond between a tribe member and their bike, for instance, so retrieving parts to construct Sable's bike feels like you're piecing together something important to her identity. It adds weight to the quest, making the tutorial stages feel meaningful.