Sagebrush (Nintendo Switch) Review

The following is your run-of-the-mill, adventure/walking-simulator, were the player explores its world, solves puzzles, and experiences a story while at it. The place you'll play the investigator in gives out the impression that you can freely roam around, but it's all an illusion, as this puts you on an extremely linear path (without it really feeling so) that is basically a find-key open-door loop that repeats for about one hour and a half. There are also three or so puzzles available, but they are so easy that they can't even be called that. It doesn't matter, though, as, above everything else, this wants to be an engrossing, narrative-driven, psychological thriller - and it totally nails that.

Sagebrush follows an - initially - nameless protagonist, who'll investigate an abandoned(?) ranch in Albuquerque; the site of a mass suicide, committed by members of the Perfect Heaven cult. It's safe to say that not much will happen in here. The whole deal revolves around going from area to area, reading notes and listening to tape recordings, which help shedding some light on what was going on here; learn about the group's members and their enigmatic leader, as well as of the events that led to the tragic event that ended their life - and yet, that's all it needs to get you hooked, leaving you unable to put the gamepad aside before reaching the end.

The complete feeling of solitude, combined with the slow descent to the madness that is religious fanaticism, creates an unparalleled sense of dread and discomfort. Are you really alone, or is someone watching from the shadows? Is there something more here than bushes, sand, and abandoned trailers? This is like a monster-less Silent Hill, with the sound of crickets, doors, and your own two feet being the only thing that you'll hear, and a flashlight that makes it easier to see, while also giving everything an otherworldly aura. 'Atmospheric' is too weak a word to describe this. Speaking of Silent Hill, it's now time to talk about the visuals.

Sagebrush uses a graphic engine that's heavily reminiscent of the original PlayStation, and in doing so, increases the overall eeriness sky-high - the way the sun sets, casting long shadows, before giving way to the starry night is especially bewitching. Sure, it's an acquired taste, but this "ugly" art style greatly helps here. In fact, the same can be said about the deadpan voice-acting of the tape recordings. It definitely has an amateurish stench, but, intentional or not, it adds to the whole feeling of uneasiness - another similarity with the psychological horror masterpiece that is Silent Hill. Generally, the Black Sage Ranch feels real; a place where actual people lived and died in

Another thing that's hard to ignore, is how, while exploring the subject of cults, this approaches everything in a way comes off as surprisingly respectful, or at least detached. The characters in here aren't the kind of hillbilly loonies one can find in a Stephen King novel. Sure, they are loonies, but Sagebrush is more concerned with showing "why" what led them go nuts. It takes a look on how, on the process of trying to find happiness, some people accepted such levels of crazy. That isn't to say that it gives any answers. This journey makes the right choice, and avoids making any comments on the situation. It just shows things and that's it.

Needless to say that this isn't for everyone. Those looking for a meatier point-and-click adventure should better look elsewhere, as this keeps things quite simple. Plus, while the Black Sage Ranch isn't exactly gargantuan, it is surely big, and this constant running back and forth between locations can get a bit tedious, although that's handled in such a way that it helps to create tension. Lastly, Sagebrush is a very short story that ends in less than two hours. It's the perfect length for what's on offer, but that also means that there's not really any point in experiencing it twice. Having said that, the price is great, thus fans of narrative-driven thrillers are definitely advised to try it out.