Keeping promises is tough, especially when you're dealing with a
fickle group of video game players. Director Peter Molyneaux has the ideas; there are just
times when the technology isn't there to match them. Fable was promised to be so
much more, yet when you're done with this 10+ hour adventure, you'll never realize things
that were promised were missing. The core mechanic, choosing which path to follow as you live out an adventurer's life, is the basis for Fable. It's what the game started to be, and it's still what it has become. Compared to other titles that follow this same mode, Fable allows for extensive freedom, to be the character you want to be. There's little holding you back other than the mission structure.
That sends players around the games gorgeous and fully realized world, performing (or not) various deeds. Certain ones allow the player to choose which side to be on, others unfortunately force the player into doing something else. It's impossible to play through without performing at least one deed for the other side. That one will hardly make a difference as your character evolves with both a personality and noticeable body changes. People will either cheer you on or duck and run depending on your choices. This is a small, noticeable, and fun inclusion, and one that really sets the game apart.
Combat, at least on the surface, is simplistic. It's not deeper than any
standard beat-em-up. A few three-hit combos late in the game and it's enough to take down
just about anyone. It's enough to turn off those looking for a deep, involving RPG
experience initially.Under the surface is where things start to happen, with an evolving magic system, strengthening, and other increased attributes. Leveling up is sometimes annoying, as you're required to visit the sole place in the entire game that lets you do so, and loading times are aggravating (a major missed promise from Molyneaux early on).
It's not all just missions and combat. There are plenty of things to keep players busy, including a far-more-addictive-than-it-should-be table golf mini-game (amongst others like Blackjack). You can buy houses and decorate them for cash when you decide to rent them out, marry women, sneak into residences at night, barter between stores, fish, dig for treasure, or just generally annoy people.
One aggravating features is the voice work, particularly the guild master who is constantly in your ear. If your health is low and you're void of any power-ups, he'll remind you of what you need every 15-seconds or so, regardless of how far you are in the game. Not even the score, beautifully written by Danny Elfman and Russell Shaw (the latter who composed another Molyneaux original Black & White) can cover up the repetitive acting.
Even if it wasn't completely what the director wanted or told gamers it would
be, that's nothing against what is a fabulous title. This is a premiere game for the Xbox,
masterfully crafted from the ground up, and one of the best reasons to own the console. If
you're worried about the length, don't be. The replay value here is tremendous, and
playing the opposite side is a remarkably different experience. Exploration has never been
more engrossing. 