For how much time I spent playing this game at the time, I don't really have a lot to say about it one way or another. I remember it feeling ahead of its time, but nowadays it can feel small and restrictive.
Ultimately I don't think there's much to be gained from playing Fable for the first time now, but if you have any nostalgia for this game it will still nicely scratch that itch.
Ultimately I don't think there's much to be gained from playing Fable for the first time now, but if you have any nostalgia for this game it will still nicely scratch that itch.
Played this game more than most, there are some actions that will keep you from doing a 100% run so I will say that was annoying to me, but this game is one of the most memorable games I played where there was strong balance, and the boast system was so cool I feel that Fable II and III were totally fumbled considering where this game was.
Fable is a relic of a begotten time, a game that I'm not sure would be as successful if introduced now yet extremely entertaining in 2004. In a rich and quirky world filled with the legendary British style of humour, you become a hero (of sorts) in a land where things have clearly gone awry. Questions and occurrences that gauge your morality are filled all throughout Fable which sees your character go from child to adult, how will you respond to the threat facing the land?
For how many fantasy RPGs there are out there, this does a really good job at creating its own formula that works while differentiating from the masses. It can be ridiculous although I'm not exactly complaining, it certainly adds to the charm. It's a shame what ended up happening to Lionhead Studios, as much as I'm not the biggest fan of Fable 3.
In retrospect, this game is a bit shallow in terms of RPG elements. Buuuut it's hard to say that's something to its detriment, as it made it an extremely good RPG for younger audiences. Since I played this game when I was like 8, it left a really big impression on me and hooked me in a way that Morrowind couldn't. Of course I now regard Morrowind as a better game overall, but there's something to be said for Fable's way of introducing people to how choices could affect gameplay in RPGs.
Although it may feel clunky and antiquated by todays standards, the original Fable remains a landmark of fantasy RPGs as it delivers one of the purest and most charming fairytale stories to ever have been put to game. Featuring memorable music, characters and locations, all interwoven perfectly by a fantastically witty and whimsical script that soon came to define the whole series.
My only major gripe is with the combat and how it makes the game a slog to get through and near unplayable if it were not for the spells. Given the tutorials during the prologue, it is clear Lionhead had ambitions to employ 3 distinct classes for players to experiment with, but unfortunately when it comes to combat, the game seems to be forcefully nudging you towards a spell/sword playstyle to avoid making half the game torturous with its auto-blocking enemies with nearly instantaneous knock-down attacks.
And although simplistic now, all the RPG mechanics simmered throughout, such as marriage, pub games, drinking, and buying properties, go a long way to making the game feel alive and breathing, and although these were all fleshed out further in later entries, it is great to see where it all started. This game may feel old, but it still feels ahead of its time for 2004.
My favourite thing about Fable has to be all the funny little item descriptions and headstone engravings though, they never fail to make me laugh.
My only major gripe is with the combat and how it makes the game a slog to get through and near unplayable if it were not for the spells. Given the tutorials during the prologue, it is clear Lionhead had ambitions to employ 3 distinct classes for players to experiment with, but unfortunately when it comes to combat, the game seems to be forcefully nudging you towards a spell/sword playstyle to avoid making half the game torturous with its auto-blocking enemies with nearly instantaneous knock-down attacks.
And although simplistic now, all the RPG mechanics simmered throughout, such as marriage, pub games, drinking, and buying properties, go a long way to making the game feel alive and breathing, and although these were all fleshed out further in later entries, it is great to see where it all started. This game may feel old, but it still feels ahead of its time for 2004.
My favourite thing about Fable has to be all the funny little item descriptions and headstone engravings though, they never fail to make me laugh.