7 Reasons Why The Saboteur Is an Underrated Open-World Masterpiece
Key Takeaways
- The Saboteur mixes stealth, parkour, and explosions in a way few WWII games ever dared.
- Its black-and-white-to-color art style is not just cool, it’s emotional and meaningful.
- Sean Devlin is one of the most charming, sarcastic anti-heroes in gaming.
- Even today, the game feels unique, bold, and strangely fresh.
The Saboteur is an open-world action game set in Nazi-occupied Paris where you play as an Irish mechanic turned resistance fighter. It blends stealth, climbing, driving, and sabotage with a striking art style that shifts from black-and-white to full color as you free districts. Even years later, it stands out as one of the most creative and underrated games ever made.
Introduction – The Game I Almost Skipped
I’ll be honest. The first time I saw The Saboteur, I thought, “Eh, another WWII game.” You know, brown, grey, serious, and full of angry shouting. I nearly passed on it.
Big mistake.
Because once I actually played it… wow. This game grabbed me, slapped me with style, and then politely asked me to go blow up a Nazi checkpoint. And somehow, I enjoyed every second of it.
Let’s talk about why The Saboteur deserves way more love than it ever got.
What Is The Saboteur All About?
A Quick, Simple Breakdown
The Saboteur is an open-world action-adventure game set in World War II Paris. You play as Sean Devlin, an Irish race car driver who gets dragged into the French Resistance after, well… things go very wrong.
Your job is simple:
- Sneak around
- Climb buildings
- Blow stuff up
- Make Nazis regret their life choices
It’s part stealth game, part action game, and part “how much chaos can I cause before dinner.”
The Art Style – Black, White, and Suddenly… Boom, Color
Why This Blew My Mind
This is the first thing that really hit me. Nazi-controlled areas are in black and white. No color. No life. It feels cold and depressing.
Then you complete missions, free districts, and suddenly…
Color comes back.
And I don’t mean slowly. I mean BAM. Red dresses. Blue skies. Green trees. It’s like the city takes a deep breath again.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a cool visual trick. It makes you feel the impact of your actions.
- Black and white = oppression
- Color = freedom
Simple. Powerful. Brilliant.
Sean Devlin – The Hero Who Doesn’t Try Too Hard
Not Your Typical Soldier
Sean isn’t some serious, stone-faced war hero. He jokes. He drinks. He flirts. He messes up. He feels human.
And honestly? That’s refreshing.
I found myself actually caring about him, not just controlling him.
Why He Works
- He’s sarcastic without being annoying
- He’s brave without being boring
- He’s angry without being edgy
He feels like a real guy thrown into a terrible situation… and doing his best.
Gameplay – Sneak, Climb, Blow Stuff Up, Repeat (Happily)
The Core Loop
Here’s what you’ll mostly be doing:
- Sneaking past guards
- Climbing buildings like a budget Assassin’s Creed
- Planting explosives
- Shooting when things go wrong (and they will)
And somehow, it never gets old.
My Favorite Part
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Climbing.
Seriously. Scaling buildings in Paris, dodging spotlights, then dropping down on enemies? Chef’s kiss. It makes you feel smart, not just strong.
Open World That Actually Feels Alive
Paris, Saarbrücken, and More
The world isn’t just big for the sake of being big. Each area has:
- Different enemy types
- New missions
- Unique challenges
You’re not just ticking boxes. You’re slowly taking back a city.
The Emotional Hook
When a district changes from black-and-white to color, I caught myself smiling. That’s rare in games. That’s special.
Stealth or Chaos – You Choose
Two Ways to Play
You can:
- Sneak around, quietly taking out enemies
or - Go loud and turn the area into a warzone
Both work. Both are fun.
What I Did
Let’s just say I tried stealth… and often ended up with explosions. No regrets.
Why The Saboteur Was Ahead of Its Time
Things It Did Before Others
- Stylish open world before it was trendy
- Visual storytelling without cutscenes
- A hero with personality, not just muscles
If this game came out today, people would call it “bold” and “artsy.” Back then, it just got ignored.
Unfair, if you ask me.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | The Saboteur | Typical WWII Game |
|---|---|---|
| Art Style | Black & white to color | Brown and grey |
| Main Hero | Sarcastic, charming | Serious, silent |
| Gameplay | Stealth + parkour + action | Mostly shooting |
| World | Open, dynamic | Linear levels |
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Is The Saboteur Still Worth Playing Today?
Short answer: Yes. Absolutely. 100%.
Longer answer:
If you like open-world games, strong stories, and games that dare to be different, this is for you.
Sure, the graphics are a little dated. And yes, some mechanics feel old-school. But the heart of the game? Still strong. Still fun. Still special.
Summary – Why This Game Still Matters
The Saboteur is not perfect. But it is brave, creative, stylish, and full of soul. It took risks. It tried new things. And it delivered something truly memorable.
It’s the kind of game that sticks with you. The kind you randomly think about years later. The kind you recommend to friends with a “trust me on this” look.
FAQs
Yes, you can freely explore cities, complete side missions, and tackle objectives in your own order.
It’s inspired by real WWII events but tells a fictional story with fictional characters.
Yes, it’s available on PC and works well on modern setups.
It’s both. You can sneak or go loud. The choice is yours.
It released quietly, had little marketing, and launched near bigger titles. It never got the spotlight it deserved.
