By Peter Carmody
The eagerly anticipated third installment of the Fable saga has finally reached us and the famed fairy tale land of Albion has moved into the age of industry.
Much has changed in the last 50 years most importantly the Hero ruler from Fable 2 has passed on leaving the throne to the eldest of the royal offspring, who in turn has driven the people to the point of insurgence. After personally experiencing your brother’s ruthlessness you decide that the responsibility to restore Albion to its former glory lies with you.
Click through for our full review.
The tale follows your up and coming protagonist as you travel to the furthest reaches of Albion and make deals with the kind of people your mother warned you to stay away from, in order to stage a revolution and dethrone your sadistic sibling. Once you’ve achieved this coup d’état. The Game will change pace and you will find yourself developing King sized headaches trying anticipate the magnitude of the repercussions your decisions will have, and wondering where the simple days went when 20 unfriendly hollow men was your greatest worry.
In previous Fable games your journey would have started as a child, which was mostly just the tutorial phase of the game. As your premature days has been left out of Fable3, the baby steps have been nicely integrated into the early stages of the story which gives the beginning of the game a good pace. If you have played previous Fable installments you will recognize the trademark Fable humor, as well as some of the places and characters from before. If this is your first Fable experience, you’re in for a treat. This game is good fun and has a riveting story line that will keep you playing for extended sittings.
The environments are very good looking and have got significantly larger which reduces the possibility of you getting cornered in a potion shop with 30 ranting fans standing around you and no way to get out. The game blends its eye-catching environments and a fantastic score perfectly, which enables the player to move through the ever changing moods of the game with relative fluidity. The frame rate can be a bit inconsistent at times, and some of the texture load ups could be a bit faster, which unfortunately detracts from what is otherwise a good looking and cohesive game.
As with previous Fable titles the score is very well composed and accompanies the gameplay well. Fans will recognize the tunes from the first and second Fable games as well as some familiar voice actors. Zoe Wanamaker (voice of Theresa) returns to accompany Sir Ben Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross and John Cleese amongst others. These BBC regulars add a recognizable and definitively British feel to the characters personas.
The already comparatively fast loading times are made more pleasant by the amusing posters which change relative to the story as you progress through it. This keeps you involved in the game even during loading screens. Without being in the game for too long you will notice a distinct lack of menu, this is simply because the menu has been taken out and replaced with the sanctuary. This well concealed subterranean hero hideout, where your faithful butler attends to your every need is where you will control everything that has to do with your hero (If only there was a Bat-mobile).
From the main hall of your sanctuary you can view the gifts given to you by people you befriend, or you can fast travel to just about anywhere in Albion by using your table map.
The sanctuary also boasts a dressing room, where you will be able to customize your characters appearance from the attire you have collected. You can also pop into the trophy room to keep track of your personal fortune and achievements, and of course no hero would be complete without an armory where you store your weapons and magical abilities. From this well hidden stronghold you will also be able to jump through a Cullis gate which will transport you to a magical plain that maps out your road to the throne. After each benchmark in the story’s progress you will open another gate on the road, allowing you to get closer to the throne and spend some of you hard earned guild seals which you acquire by partaking in quests, rallying people to your cause and performing well during skirmishes.
The Combat has become noticeably more fluid and you are now able to switch between your different attacks with less hindrance. The face buttons on your controller still manage the basic ranged, magic and melee attacks and as before holding these buttons down initiates stronger or more focused assaults. One enjoyable addition to the otherwise too familiar fighting system is the ability to execute slow motion killer moves on your opponents. Unfortunately these moves happen at random. A more regressive aspect to this game is the absence of the traditional health meter, but since it is almost impossible to get knocked down I can see how the developers felt that it was rather silly to have one. Instead the small icons in the bottom left corner will begin glow red when you have been bashed around a bit too much, and at this point you could simply role away from the hoard of creatures trying to hack at your head, and pick them off from a safe distance until the glowing subsides.
While the enemy creatures and characters you encounter get progressively harder to kill they are not necessarily harder to fight. In previous Fable games you would receive different coloured skill orbs according to how you chose to dispatch your opponents. This time around you will receive the same guild seal experience regardless of how you choose to down your attackers, which has the ability to make combat rather boring considering you could just stick to your most powerful ability to quickly get through a skirmish.
In comparison to Fable 2 it has become a bit harder to earn money, while you can still involve yourself in small jobs, trade and the real estate game, you will notice that things are generally quite expensive. Home ownership now requires upkeep, as the state of your properties will influence the rent you are able to gain from them. Thankfully this can all be dealt with from the table map in the sanctuary without actually going there. The ability to accumulate rent money even when you are not playing the game has been taken out, which will disappoint the real estate tycoons out there, but for the most part I feel it is a good thing that your money is not earned too easily . When you get to do some shopping and spend some of your cash, you will notice that you have to select the items for purchase from the shelves, and not by talking to the store owners and reading through a long list. Like before the impression you make on people can have a significant effect on the prices you pay, and you might find yourself doing dance lifts with bearded store owners in order to lower prices. While you can still purchase books to train your dog, skill upgrades and expressions for your character will need to be purchased using guild seals on the road to the throne.
Character interaction has been simplified quite considerably, and the few choices that you are able to select are displayed with little sparkles and flames for good and bad choices respectively. While the expressions can at times seem quite inappropriate they do add to the games humor. Instead of using the “follow me†expression you will now be able to hold hands and guide your hanger-on through varying circumstances. Which to be truthful can look pretty strange at times. Interacting with your dog is still an option but there is very little motivation to do so considering the creature has now developed a somewhat concrete pelt and doesn’t seem to get hurt.
Last Updated: November 1, 2010
| Fable III | |
|
|
|
|---|---|
Lord Khaan
November 1, 2010 at 13:22
couple of things got me with it although Im sure there will be at least 1 person that prefers it the way it is now.
Shopping can become painful.. IMO an items menu was far easier and faster to shop for.
Upkeep on property is the most annoying thing ever. They really need to put in a repair all button. Its taking me 10 minutes for every 20 or so min to repair all the properties…
But all in all Im loving this game, its without gonna be my go to until the patches & fixes come out for New Vegas
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 13:29
Nice review Guest writer! :happy:
I disagree somewhat, since I would actually score it 3 out of 5 (6 out of 10). It’s by no means a bad game, but hardly a stellar title either. This is more of a “wait a few months for patches and get it when the price drops” kind of game (a bit like Fallout New Vegas, really).
It’s a charming game though, and I should mention that Fable 3 has some stunning visuals (swaying trees, snow glistening in the sun). The voice acting is top notch too, however the game has a lot of bugs. It’s by no means riddled by them but they are irritating glitches. For instance, every once in a while, your golden trail disappears (usually when you go uphill), and you have to backtrack to find the trail again. There are also a few times when it seems as though your character is hovering a few centimetres above the ground or his feet disappears under the ground. These are obviously little things they could have sorted out earlier, and which I find inexcusable. You also have occasional slowdowns and really odd graphical glitches, which presumably will get sorted out with a patch or two.
I actually found the social interactions to be amongst the weakest part of the game, but since it’s a fable game, you can plough through it. I think I mentioned it on twitter two nights ago, but if you’re new to Fable, rather opt for Fable 2 over 3. Fable 3 is more of a hit and miss affair than 2, but undoubtedly some will enjoy it and others will detest it. I find myself squarely in the middle again, sucking the bile out of my Peter blister, while wondering if someone would impregnate my princess 😛
Nick de Bruyne
November 1, 2010 at 13:29
Vegas patch should be available now, no?
Nick de Bruyne
November 1, 2010 at 14:18
So you’re really only disagreeing on the score itself? Seems like the same issues as in the review for the most part
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 14:57
That patch didnt help much. Still a world full of glitches and problems. Its especially annoying when they break some quests completely.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 14:57
Yes, and… no, if you ever get round to playing Fable 1 and Fable 2, you’ll notice that Fable 2 does actually improve on a number of things on Fable 1 (and I don’t mean purely graphical, but there are some much needed changes to menus, although the battle system was a downgrade from Fable 1). The same can’t be said for Fable 3. It’s more of the same (yet even less if you think about it), with a very tacky and broken King mode attached to it. In fact, it feels more like Fable 1.5 than Fable 3 (hence the sub 7 score). There’s no way to give this game anything above 7 given its severe short comings.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 15:01
I should really write it up in a nice coherent review, but basically it boils down to the simple fact that Fable 3 is a lazy attempt at making a sequel to Fable 2. That may sound like a harsh condemnation, but Fable always came with more promise than what it could deliver.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 15:03
That’s why I’m staying far away from New Vegas, until they sort out the mess. I’ve learnt my lessons well from Bethesda.
(a) NEVER EVER.. Buy their games on launch
(b) ALWAYS! Wait for patches.
Morrowind has taught me well 😀
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 15:18
And then there’s the ending… lol! Oh to be a King.. “another orphanage my lord?”
Sigh! I’m not going to say anything more…
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 15:20
Thats pretty much what the entire internet community is echoing Bobby. It seems like this is a Lazy sequel.
This is pretty much what the internet is echoing:
“Fable 3 might be one of the laziest games I’ve ever played. There are virtually no differences in gameplay or features from the last game, the designers not bothering to add new weapon types or spells. Not bothering to make any of the jobs different from each other, any of the people different from each other, or any of the weapons different from each other”
I think MS are getting away with a poor sequel here. Maybe Molyneux’s mind is to busy with trying to make Milo work.
Also those new systems that replace the menu’s are piss poor, irritating and time consuming. Who the hell wants to have a virtual 3D room instead of a menu.
Unfortunately there is still zero challenge so far though which was my biggest complaint about Fable 2. Its seems more a poor mans adventure game than a proper RPG and anyone who plays proper RPG’s can tell you this.
Maybe im being harsh though since im not far into the game. Maybe it gets better?? I doubt it and the internet seems to echo my thoughts. Very very lazy sequel Molyneux!!!
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 15:26
Lol! I can’t say it gets better, and the ending will probably infuriate you as well (a bit into King Mode – give or take an hour or two… but I won’t spoil the details).
I’m kind of hoping Sims Medieval will give me that definitive “Fable experience”. 😀 To be a Baron or a knight on a quest, while impregnating the fair maidens from the village! 😀
Peter Carmody
November 1, 2010 at 16:39
I’m pretty sure I discussed most of the issues you have brought up, and for the most part we are in agreement, it seems to me that you guys are completely fixated on the negative aspects of this game though. I knew the traditional RPG fans would have mixed feelings about this game, and if you simplify what you guys are saying (and what most of the net is saying apparently) it boils down to… things that have changed are disappointing and things that haven’t changed are also disappointing. While I’m not in total disagreement with what is being said here, I do feel that it’s important to give credit where it is due. A below 7 grade for this game is very harsh. I understand that people can be afraid of new things, but seriously there is a lot more to this game than sanctuary and real estate problems. Also guys, please read the review, it is not possible to squeeze everything I discussed into the conclusion. Oh and for the record I want to have a “virtual 3D room instead of a menu†it makes the hero experience more authentic.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 17:08
I think best of both worlds works best, you can allow for a virtual 3D room for that authentic batcave/Hero experience, or the classic and far more convenient menu system. It’s a novel experience to go into the closet and check out some new kit, walk around, pick up potions from the pantry etc. but it does get tiresome, not to mention the simple act of quick travel gets mixed up in this batcave nonsense. For instance, you first have to walk over to the map, clicked on it, select the area to go, click and then select where to quick travel. It’s just a really cumbersome and annoying system.
A wise man once said, that “difficult” or “engaging” does not mean “time consuming”, and these are words that should serve the gaming fraternity.
Clarification on scoring: A game that scores below 7 is not average, on the contrary it’s above average. For instance, when every game gets an 8 or a 9, then how are we to distinguish between the vast majority and the truly stellar and fantastic titles. I wrote about this years ago, when I was still doing reviews for magazines, and even then it caused fans grief, but basically a score of 5 is average, below that… and you’re dealing with games that are just bad, anything above 5 is actually quite good. Once you reach 8 or 9 you’re dealing with games with unparalleled quality, with NO GAME ever being able to achieve a perfect score, because that level of perfection is unattainable. Therefore a game like Fable 3 is still above average in terms of overall quality, but it’s just not a 7 (and definitely not an 8).
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 17:38
@Peter
It’s still a cool review though, regardless of my personal feelings on scoring and overestimation in scoring.
Nick de Bruyne
November 1, 2010 at 17:46
Scores are tough to deal with, I was thinking of writing something up about my personal feelings of scores and how they work in my head.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 17:57
I think the problem is that even developers have fallen into this trap that if a game scores below 8, it’s automatically considered a poor title.
Not to mention that basic math’s literacy seems to be a lost skill amongst reviewers and fans alike. The Fable 3 ign review highlights this issue well. In the review, they highlighted all the problems and issues regarding Fable 3, and much of it was pretty damning, yet regardless, the reviewer still gave it an > 8 score. It baffles the mind, because there seems to be no consistency or concept of how scoring works.
I sometimes miss Electronic Gaming Monthly, because they eventually said “Screw it” and posted reviews that ran strictly to this principle. Only a bare minimum could reach A+ scores (>90%), with the vast majority of games in the mid 60s and 70s.
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 18:06
I dont understand your comment Peter? Ppl are afraid of change and new things? My point was nothing that was broken or just bad was fixed or changed and the parts that were good in Fable 2 havent changed either. The King aspect isnt remotely original and neither is the virtual menus which were ripped off and not good in Assassins Creed 2 either. Like i said this feels like a lazy expansion pack so far and not much of a sequel. Just like FFXIII this was supposed to be AAA and like FFXIII it has failed. Its also hard for me to call this an RPG at all. I would rather class this as an adventure game.
In conclusion im saying theres not enough new and not enough RPG in this game. Theres Zero challenge and frankly the combat is so casual they might as well have used Kinect for this game. Anyways this will be the last Fable game i ever buy.
For all of Fallout New Vegas’s technical defficiencies its about 100% better than Fallout 3 and Fable 3 combined. The brilliant Fallout writing and humour is back. Now thats an RPG.
Nick de Bruyne
November 1, 2010 at 18:19
Why shouldn’t he comment? What’s the fun of writing a review if you don’t get to sit and discuss it with gamers afterwards, it’s the best part of the process sometimes :happy:
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 18:36
@Nick. Read what i wrote i wrote again Nick. I didnt say dont comment i said i dont UNDERSTAND his comment? i.e clarification please :biggrin:
Why on earth would i ever ask a reviewer or anyone to censor their comments for my benefit unless its Aussious :biggrin: What about Lans you say? Well at least he is funny 🙂
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 18:37
Thats the best thing about Lazygamer….The guys who write the articles have two way communication with the guys that write comments in the comments section. Im not arguing with Peter i just disagree with him about his generous Fable 3 impressions.
lans
November 1, 2010 at 18:48
rather lower the score in fable 3 and use those points effectively by raising Naruto Ultimate Storm!!!
Give Naruto a 8.0!
Give Naruto a 8.0!
Nick de Bruyne
November 1, 2010 at 19:00
Oops my bad!
Nick de Bruyne
November 1, 2010 at 19:22
Sorry, I thought it said “I don’t see your need to comment”
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 20:27
@Peter
It’s always a good thing when people comment on your reviews (and have a long and spirited debate about them). Keep them coming!
Nick de Bruyne
November 2, 2010 at 05:43
HAHA yeah, because we totally get a points budget every month that we need to stick to LOL.
Gavin Mannion
November 2, 2010 at 06:47
Didn’t you know? Points are expensive.. this is why only the huge titles ever get 9 or 10… they can afford it :w00t:
man if only that were true :blink:
LordKhaan
November 2, 2010 at 07:51
Sorry for the late come back, hectic day yesterday.
New Vegas is still pretty much broken for me. A lot of quests freeze when you talk to ppl that continue the quest line. Ed-E keeps disappearing on me, particularly when hes needed for his quest series….
And thats just a few of them. Thankfully its all the side quests. Ive already managed to beat it on just the storyline.
Peter Carmody
November 2, 2010 at 13:53
Thanks for the positive feedback Bobby. When people appreciate what you’ve done, it makes it all that much more worthwhile. We could probably debate the scoring until a nuclear apocalypse forces us to redefine the entire concept of gaming, and while I’m inclined to agree with some of your statements about scoring, the reality is that if I scored this review too low someone would also be upset about that, look at Lans for instance still badgering me about my last review (LOL, just jokes Lans… I hear you bro), so really the only way to do it is to be honest about what I felt. Acid, the points you’ve brought up are very valid and while I feel quite strongly myself about some of the traditional RPG elements being taken out, the sanctuary to me is one of the better changes or additions to the game. I just feel that it does less to remove you from the game and it also works quite nicely as a hub in online co-op games, which to me is far better than just having a list of options. While many aspect of this game did disappoint me they never over shadowed the fact that I still enjoyed playing it. If it were up to me, I would add a Fun heading to the scoring sheet, which in this case might justify my scoring better.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 2, 2010 at 14:34
You can’t please anyone, and you really have to score a game as objectively as possible (with the pros weighed against the cons). But yeah, it’s hard to be unbiased when you’re a gamer and a fan. As for scoring to please a fringe group or fans, that’s a definite no-no :P.
Time for Tea! To the Tea-Mobile! na na na na na nanana na TEA-MAN na na na na na nanana na nan an TEA-MAN!
Kirk Apolo
November 10, 2014 at 18:08
this is a great game. i would say my favorite! it does have some bad stuff though. you can have sex (dont have to) but you dont see anything you just hear some real funny stuff with jazz music in the background. violence is not that bad. its just swords (no gore) guns (very olden time ones) andd magic. you can be evil and kill random people but that is up to you. near the end you have to make very hard choices that affect the worl and the people around you. i foun this a good game that teaches life like actions. AND there is next to no language. 🙂 play online free games