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Fable | |
| Developer: Big Blue Box Publisher: Microsoft Release Date: Out Now Players: 1 |
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Once upon a time there was a game called Fable. It was set in an olde English type land called Albion, though it could be West Bromwich Albion because half the people in it talked with a West Midlands twang in the manner of that classic phrase “I come from Dudlaaaaaay”. On the other hand it could have been set in a region in Somerset with all the cider and “ooh arrh eh” dialects being thrown around. In fact the whole of the game cannot seem to make its mind up what it wants to be, but that’s good - in the same way that a gorgeous girlfriend being unable to make up her mind whether she wants to be a sex kitten or housekeeping cookery genius is good. The core of Fable is a pretty standard third person perspective RPG, set in that really overworked gaming staple of classic fantasy. You know - gobliny types, undead, magic, monsters, quests and straightforward good and evil. It’s all very black and white…. In fact I have to admit to being slightly disappointed on my first hour’s play because the game seemed so run of the mill and generic. How could the fabled Fable turn out so unfabulous I asked? )
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There were a couple of reasons I stuck it out with a degree of enthusiasm. 1/ I don’t have any other hobbies, a girlfriend or enough money to get my hands on any other games….
1/ The production values.
Concerning number one, we are talking Xbox visuals from the ‘eyes popping out on springs’ category as far as comparable RPGs go. Fable displays gorgeous colours, beautiful foliage and reflective pools of water fit to bathe in. It’s a pastoral dreamland that looks completely solid and believable and a joy to walk through, although it ought to be because there is little choice or flair in the camera angles and there is no real opportunity for vast draw distances. But what the hell, villages and dingley dells rarely look this good. Just as impressive is the music score which delivers the full range of emotive tunes depending upon your situation and locality, from country wandering ditties on flutes and strings to that old favourite – the ‘ha ha, you are about to be eaten by werewolves’ crescendo. Whatever comes your way, it’s all hummable and appropriate fare. )
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But all this was small beer to what I truly expected from the game and once I was shown the ropes I wanted to be shown the accessible cleavage and the opportunities for theft and murder. Fable was supposed to be some sort of lifestyle RPG, full of freedom, choices and customisation. What I was seeing at the heroes’ guild was not enough. “Choose a quest card” I was told, being fobbed off by the opportunity to go for a couple of different missions as opposed to doing what the hell I liked. If I wanted to do this I might as well load up Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance for a more immediate and addictive brand of hack ‘n’ slash… )
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Whether by accident or by design it’s the journeys on the way to a selected quest or story element that provide the real fun in Fable. It’s where you begin to notice little details and can get sidetracked into trying out your accumulated powers. A lot of this is down to your appearance and social skills which can be anything from belching and farting to boasts and ‘come to bed’ remarks in the style of Joey from Friends (why the hell does ‘hey, how you doing?’ never work for ME in real life?). Money helps too because if you spend it on haircuts, costumes and gifts you can create a good impression on the people you meet. But the point here is that the developers have rather cleverly made it important for you to take up a quest every now and then in order to notice these things on your way as well as obtain money and new social skills upon their completion. )
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I chose life. I chose Fable.
 
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- It’s as pretty as a Constable painting. - It’s a treat for your ears. - The combat and levelling up of your character is satisfying. - The lifestyle decisions and interactions are absorbing. - There is always something to do and secrets to uncover. - You can be as good or evil as you want! - Plenty of replay value. |
- It’s really generic fantasy. - There are regular loading times. - It doesn’t quite match up to its original ambitions. - The main story thread isn’t all that long. |
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