Review - Fable III

The Game in question? Fable 3
What console did we review it on? Xbox 360
Is it available on any other formats, and if so, which? No other formats as of yet.
Who reviewed this game? Serde

So, without wishing to dilly dally... Any more, it being a month since this game hit store shelves and made me scream in pleasure as a leather bound book fell into my hands containing Fable III. I just want to briefly sum up my thoughts during my first play-through: It's good, but not as good as the second one. Take from that what you will, as Fable III is a mixed bag, there wasn't many sweets I enjoyed, but perhaps you are a fan of Bertie Basset whilst I stick to chewing on jelly tots.

The games narrative opens up on a solemn note, your brother (Who it has to be said, is a bit of a dick) Is the ruler of Albion, Fables fantasy land that is so close to England in the 19th century you could taste it, bar the magic and exceptionally cool people within the royal family (ooh, burned). But I digress, within the first half an hour of wondering around the palace you are thrust into a decision so suddenly, and so perfectly that I found myself messaging people over the globe asking advice on what to choose. This moment gave me hope for this game, however it is unfortunately the hardest choice you'll be making in III, as with all games with "choice" nowadays, the mechanics the choices work on are plain as day, and it's easy to exploit any further decision moments. Either way, this choice pisses your prince (or princess, ladies) right off. So he huffs and he puffs and his mate Walter and his Butler take him away! It's at this point you discover you are a hero, and (surprise, surprise) are destined for the throne as Peter Molyneux has been telling us from the go like a dog on speed alerting us to some bloke walking past the house.

It has to be said that the "King", or should I say "Monarch" section of the game is one of the most unique sections to be in a game within recent memory. Which is why it's so unfortunate that it doesn't last long at all. The build up over the game falls flat, as it comes down to you ruling for about 5 to 6 days before the game calls it quits and lets you roam free, which is not a good thing. However, this is a section that should be experienced by everyone, so at least watch someone going through this portion of the game.

So the game-play eh? If you've played Fable II, you know the score. There’s a melee button, a magic button and a ranged button for combat, hold the button for more powerful attacks or repeat for a combo, simple hack and slash fun. Whilst mixing the different weapons and spells together in fights can be cool, you won't be coming back for the thrill of the fight. Ever. The conversation system has taken a turn for the worse as you have to talk to each villager individually rather than gathering a crowd. This makes things slow and clunky when getting a village to like you, and whilst the meetings feel more intimate, because the mechanics are so obvious and you're limited to two to three expressions at a time, there's no fun to be had here. The likes and dislikes for each villager have also done a runner, so each villager is pretty much the same person.

The much touted Pause menu? It's even slower than Fable 2's menu's! Sure, it looks cool and it's nice to walk round, but i can't find anything! For those not in the know, Fable III's pause menu is another 3d physical environment for you to explore, if you have a weapon, it's on the sword rack in the armoury. If you have a new jacket, you'll find it in the walk in wardrobe! Literally everything you collect, money, achievements, everything will be on display in some way shape or form within the pause menu, known in game as "the sanctuary". But as i say, whilst cool, it's too much hassle.

By far the best part of this game was the voice cast. You've got John Cleese, Simon Pegg, Sir Ben Kingsley, Stephen Fry and various other British actors taking up roles. It's masterful, and the British humour, as ever in the Fable games, is funny. If there’s anything that'll keep you coming back, it's the characters these guys pour their heart and soul into.

To round-up some other points. The game will set you back 10 hours at the least and around 30 at the most in one play-through. Definitely worth the £40 but i wouldn't spring for the collectors edition especially as the dlc included is almost entirely available on xbox live now. The property market in this game is too much hassle compared to II also, as houses need repairing every 20 or so minutes otherwise people won't pay rent. So you'll have to go to the Sanctuary, find the town that person is in, the house and then repair it within the map, it's too much hassle if you own most of Albion! Thankfully though it doesn't occur with shops!

"Fable III is a game everyone should have a go at. The first half an hour is an experience in itself, and the Monarch portion is something to behold however short it may be. On the other hand, the game is very shallow and basic in game-play, and the pause menu gimmick can become tedious."

- For anyone who purchases this game -
A WARNING: DAY 120, IS THE LAST DAY. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

- Serde

Image credit: www.Lionhead.com/blogs