SANABI
" Stylish action-adventure platformer with fluid grappling and pixel art, but frequent cutscenes disrupt flow "
SANABI Review
SANABI is widely praised for its stylish cyberpunk pixel art, fluid and satisfying grappling hook-based platforming mechanics, and a compelling story that resonates emotionally with many players. The game offers a fast-paced, precision-based action experience that challenges players with intense platforming and boss fights. Its soundtrack is highly regarded, enhancing immersion and complementing the gameplay.
Players appreciate the game's balance of challenge and accessibility, though some note that difficulty spikes and pacing issues exist. The story and character writing receive special acclaim for their depth and emotional impact, often described as tearjerking and memorable. The inclusion of a free DLC adds to the overall value, introducing new mechanics and extending playtime. However, the game features frequent cutscenes and dialogue-heavy moments which some find disruptive to the gameplay flow. Despite minor flaws, SANABI is considered a top-tier indie game with a passionate fanbase.
Highlights
SANABI's grappling hook mechanics are celebrated for their originality, fluidity, and satisfying momentum-based gameplay. The pixel art style is consistently described as beautiful and expressive, perfectly fitting the cyberpunk setting. The storyline is a standout, lauded for its emotional depth, intricate worldbuilding, and impactful narrative that surprises and moves players. The soundtrack is another highlight, praised for its quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere. Additionally, the free DLC is recognized for adding fresh content and maintaining the game's high standards.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include pacing issues, with frequent and sometimes lengthy cutscenes interrupting the fast-paced gameplay, which some players find frustrating. The level design occasionally becomes repetitive or tedious, with certain sections feeling less engaging or overly long. Some players mention difficulty spikes and arbitrary timers that can lead to frustration, especially in later stages. A few reviewers note minor bugs and lack of polish in movement or controls, such as the desire to disable auto-climbing or improve input customization. Lastly, some players feel that the combat and boss fights could better utilize the game's mechanics for more dynamic encounters.
Pros
- • Fluid and satisfying grappling hook platforming mechanics create a thrilling experience.
- • Beautiful and expressive pixel art perfectly captures the cyberpunk aesthetic.
- • Emotionally impactful and well-written story with memorable characters.
- • High-quality soundtrack that enhances immersion and gameplay pacing.
- • Free DLC adds meaningful content with unique mechanics and challenges.
- • Balanced difficulty offers both challenge and accessibility to players.
- • Smooth controls with intuitive aiming and momentum-based movement.
Cons
- • Frequent and lengthy cutscenes disrupt gameplay flow and pacing.
- • Some levels feel repetitive or tedious, affecting engagement.
- • Difficulty spikes and arbitrary timers cause player frustration.
- • Minor bugs and lack of polish in movement and controls reported.
- • Auto-climbing can interfere with player control and momentum.
- • Combat and boss fights sometimes underutilize game mechanics.
- • Sparse checkpoint placement leads to repeated backtracking.
Rating Criteria
SANABI is an exhilarating stylish dystopian action-platformer. Play as a legendary retired veteran and use your signature prosthetic arm to jump over cliffs and skyscrapers, zip through bullets and traps and defeat powerful enemies.