Peter Molyneux’s latest takes you on a journey from revolutionary to ruler
Format: Xbox 360 Dev: Lionhead Studios Pub: Microsoft Out: 29/10/10 Players: 1-2
As is the case with much of my favourite games from previous generations, one argument for what makes a good series of games is noticeable improvements from the last instalment. Unfortunately, nowadays people seem to be repeatedly disappointed by sequels and further games in a series – such is a fact gathered from working in GAME, but also something experienced by myself). And so with Fable III, comes two angles: that of a standalone game, and compared to its previous games.
As with the previous instalments, the story follows a basic skeleton of a hero’s progression to legendary status in the Kingdom of Albion, a world which has noticeably seen the effects of the Industrial Revolution, hit by poverty, child labour, exploitation, brothels and, of course, industry. As a hero, it is your job to attempt to rally troops from various regions in order to overthrow a seemingly beyond cruel King and assume the throne for yourself. This forms half the game and proves a satisfying set of quests as you can respect and trust a range of different races. After gaining each of these required followers, you must make a sworn promise to improve the lives of their people. Attempting to rule them as King forms the second half of the game – a task near-impossible to complete unless you are very prepared. Arguably, Fable III proves the most dark and effecting narrative of the series so far.
The transition from Fable to Fable II, which I will always believe, despite the game’s critical success, was not particularly large. Obviously, there was a graphical update from the Xbox to the Xbox 360 and the marginally better flow of the combat system differs from the noticeable rehash in Fable III and the way the game plays as a whole. Although the satirical and self-aware British humour typical of the previous games remains, as well as the quirky almost caricature character models, there are various gameplay alterations. The laggy and slightly irritating menus of Fable and Fable II haven’t been improved; they’ve just been completely removed.
Apart from the ‘Save and Exit’ screen, there are no menus to speak of in the game, the main menu being replaced by a map room with your butler Jasper (John Cleese), which has various rooms leading from it. Here, one can change into certain clothes (the chicken and dog suits being my favourite), change weapons and magic sets, view Achievements, view gold levels and interact with other players on Xbox Live. It’s a nice system, especially given its almost instantaneous loading time – but even so is rather a gimmick, arguably becoming tiresome after a while, especially after the loops of Jasper’s speech.
Additionally, the NPC interaction has been revamped with a dynamic one button system, and has also been made one-on-one, which means that addressing one of them results in a focal camera around your interaction. As you progress through the game, you gain more expressions and are able to make friends, love, marry and have sex with whomever you may wish. Of course, as with the others, responsibilities can follow – or even sexually transmitted diseases if you’re not careful. Unfortunately, the one-on-one interaction disrupts the games flow somewhat, and makes socialising much slower.
Character progression is marked through a mystical road known as the Road to Rule – a long, dark road separated by large gates and filled with chests, each containing either weapon skill upgrades, expressions or abilities which allow for marriage, property ownership and entrepreneurial skills. It’s a new way to do things, but feels slightly pointless – merely a dressed up levelling up menu.
While much of the updates of the game are visible and some successful, much of it seems superfluous. The game has retained a large amount of charm, but still I’d say something was missing. The attempt to refine NPC interaction, as well as the Road to Rule simply disrupts the game, and the new lack of menu does ultimately become tiresome.
Fable III is almost definitely worth a play if you’re a fan of the previous two. Even despite the adjustments, which will anger some and please others, the story is well worth a playthrough. It’ll certainly be interesting where the series goes next.
Lewis Townsend
