Developer. Lionhead Platform(s). Xbox 360 UK Release date: out now RATED: 16
As I unpack my Fable III special edition I cannot help but feel a certain unease, an assumption that a game will be substandard is never a good thing, but lets be honest its predecessor was far from the studios best work. I have learnt from experience not to listen to anything said about a Lionhead game until its ready for release. I managed to get a sneak peak at the EUROGAMER convention, which actually convinced me to give the franchise another go, although I did not play the finished article my first thoughts were ‘this game just feels better’ Since the launch of the first Fable game in (2004) Lionhead have been fighting to live up to their initial promises, I think they have done the right thing with the third instalment and been realistic in what they can achieve. Fable III has been very clear in its promotion that you will become the ruler of a kingdom, however the game does not end there. You then must run the kingdom set taxes, pass laws and make important decisions that will impact the world. Everything leading to this point is a ‘Revolution’ a word used FAR too much in the game. You take the role of a Prince or Princess, the offspring of the Hero in Fable II (although your previous saved game has no impact on Fable III). The set-up for this Revolution is simple but effective; your evil brother is ruling Albion with a reign of terror poverty, starvation and death are commonplace. So it is your job to save/change the kingdom, told you it was simple. However a nice twist fleshes out the story beautifully. The first thing you will notice if you played the previous game is that combat has been overhauled, more attacks, smoother animations and finally magic is a realistic way of dispatching your foes. As well as this more attention has been given to weapons, with them levelling with you and becoming more powerful by fulfilling certain tasks. Gold is a huge part of Fable III and its important you get a foothold on the economy early on, buy those houses and shops adjust prices and rent and watch your wealth grow. Trust me you’ll need it.
*image copyright lionheadstudios 2010
I absolutely love the sound and visuals of Fable games they have brought in some familiar music remind you of previous games as well as new sc and great new sound effects. Awesome voice ac from Britain’s best Stephen Fry (Qi host) John Cleese (the tall angry man from Faulty tow Jonathan Ross (that guy who can’t talk properly Visuals look similar to the first game but have certainly been polished, the game holds up nice and there are certainly some spectacular views.
Fable III has certainly made great efforts to impr its online facilities, players can come and go into each-others worlds with ease you can even hav children together. As well as this community facility Lionhead have clearly seen the potential revenue for DLC. How I don’t think this is a good thing at all! For examp you can dye your clothes many different colours you have to buy black and white dyes from Xbox Live… I mean seriously Lionhead! I see right through your plans and I don’t like it one bit!
With the exception of my DLC rant I have been positive and I wish I could sustain this throughou review, but unfortunately this game has a blindin annoying feature. ‘The moral choice’ has always been the core mechanic of the franchise and if y have to be 16 to play the game I think players a enough to make their own decision on what is ri and wrong. Why then is there a Halo round the ‘good’ choice (always A button) and flames arou the ‘evil’ (always X button) whoever decided this a good idea should be slapped its so dumb! And takes away the players own interpretation of righ and wrong… seriously Lionhead what were you thinking! To top this off I was evil all the way through… I just so happened to donate a lot of m personal wealth to the kingdom and bingo! Ever loves me. Even if I did kill people for no reason, tax, legalise child labour… not to mention no en theft, betrayal and generally being horrible.