Howdy readers! I hope we are all having a Fable-ulous week! I know I certainly am. In keeping with the ongoing Final Fantasy Retrospective series, you all are no doubt expecting a discussion of the series’ foray into the seventh console generation and its first attempt at an MMORPG. However, in honor of what is perhaps the greatest event to ever grace Lusipurr.com, I instead bring you a retrospective on that masterpiece of gaming to which we have spent all week paying tribute. I refer of course to Peter Molyneux’s Magnum Opus, the Fable trilogy! Bear in mind readers that as of the time of this writing, I have not actually played any of the Fable series, and my information may not be wholly accurate. So, without further ado, let us begin the exploration.
More quests! More weapons! More choices! More INDUSTRY!
Fable was initially released for the Xbox in September of 2004. A year later, it was released for PC as Fable: the Lost Chapters. Set in the world of Albion, Fable tells the story of a player-named orphan and his adventures throughout Albion’s city-states. Fable, like many WRPGs, was largely action-driven and rather simple. Fable also features a game mechanic that vaguely resembles an alignment system: character appearance changes based on the player’s behaviors. However, regardless of the player character’s alignment, the story is only affected by the player’s last decision; whether or not one gets the “good” ending is entirely based on a crucial decision right at the game’s end. Fable was surprisingly well-received, with the original Xbox release receiving a startling 85 on Metacritic and Fable: the Lost Chapters receiving an 83. The original Fable is truly a legend among console WRPGs, and I think any fan of video gaming can agree that Peter Molyneux and his team created a unique experience.
A man and his dog.
Released as an Xbox 360 exclusive on October 2008, Fable II added interactive cutscenes to the mix. Set a full five hundred years after the first game, Fable II removed some RPG elements in favor of more action-oriented gameplay. Fable II is the story of Sparrow, a young adventurer from the city of Bowerstone, and his or her journeys throughout Albion. Fable II adds another level to its almost-alignment system, with “Purity” and “Corruption” now adding a second dimension to the game’s already gripping morality choices. Leveling stats in Fable II also will affect the player character’s appearance. Fable II was also somewhat notable for its well-received and extremely balanced real estate mechanics, which enabled players to obtain nearly endless amounts of money for little effort. As with the first game, Fable II‘s ending is determined entirely by choices made at the end of the game; Sparrow’s alignment has no effect whatsoever on the ending. Fable II was even better-received than the first, with an overall Metacritic score of 89.
That's right. This image still exists.
Fable III was released for the Xbox 360 in October 2010, with a PC version later coming in May of 2011. Fable III, set fifty years after the second game, details the player character’s rise to power during a revolt and his or her subsequent rise to power and monarchal rule. The player must then raise a vast sum of gold in order to save his or her new kingdom from an incoming evil force. As before, the character’s alignment is affected by player actions; like the other games in the series, the ending is almost entirely decided by the player’s final decisions. Fable III‘s gameplay is, like its predecessors, very simple and action-based; Fable III is almost more action game than RPG. Fable III was not nearly as popular as either of its predecessors, with the Xbox 360 release gaining an 80 on Metacritic and the PC port receiving a middling score of 75. Fable III was widely regarded as a disappointment, and many gamers felt that the series was no longer worth the investment.
And so, we arrive at the end of another Deimosion retrospective post. I realize this is short, but with a series as amazing and wonderful as Fable, I feel I need say no more. Fable truly is an experience, and one that gamers will certainly be remembering months from now. What about you, my beloved readers? What do you have to say about this truly marvelous gaming experience? What are your Fablepinions? Do you have any Peter Molynews you feel is worth sharing? Let me know in the comments thread, my dearest readers!
