Fable (video game)
Categories: 2004 computer and video games | Xbox games | Computer and video role-playing games
| Fable | |
| Image:Fablebox.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Lionhead Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Release date(s) | September 14, 2004 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
Fable is a video game for the Xbox. It was developed by Big Blue Box, a satellite of Lionhead Studios, and was published by Microsoft. Shipped to retail on September 14, 2004, Fable was well-received by critics for the quality of its gameplay and execution, even as they lamented its failure to include many of the features promised by creator Peter Molyneux.
An extended version of the game, Fable: The Lost Chapters, was released for both Windows, Mac and Xbox on September of 2005 (Although the PC and Mac version was leaked by a warez group in August.) Despite being something of an expansion pack it does not require the original game to play.
Contents |
Hype
Project Ego, Fable's working title throughout its early development, was hyped from the beginning as being the most open-ended game in history, with an incredibly vast array of gameplay and character customization options, and also with an incredibly dynamic world, where every single thing you do could change the outcome of the game.
In a GameSpot preview for Project Ego, dated April 19, 2002, several features of the game were listed, including: admiring townsfolk who mimic your dress and style; competing heroes who can actually beat you to a quest; a hero's guild in every town; the ability to carve your name into a tree; the ability to vandalize all manner of public and private property (the example used was a sundial); the ability to have children; and more. None of these features appeared in the final game, though a few appeared in extremely toned-down versions. For example, windows, doors, and barrels may be broken; certain quests feature competition with fellow hero Whisper, though she cannot "win" a quest permanently - you get the chance to attempt the quest again later.
When the game was finally released, most reviewers conferred high ratings but complained of the lack of promised features. On the one hand, many thought the game was fun to play, but they believed that it could hardly live up to the hype generated by project leader Peter Molyneux. They had been expecting a game similar to The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, but with better graphics and more gameplay options. Instead, the delivered game was found to be quite linear, with the only major difference between the storylines depending on whether the Hero was good or evil. As thus, it was more comparable to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic than it was to Morrowind. They also noted the lack of many of previously mentioned features, and the game's 'superfluous' nature - in a GameSpy review, for example, it was noted that eating tofu would tilt the Hero somewhat to good, but eating red meat, the perceived opposite, would not tilt the Hero to evil. (It was not mentioned that eating an item called the crunchy chick does tilt the Hero to evil.)
Peter Molyneux later publicly apologized online for overhyping Fable.
Story Overview
The game centers around the only playable character, a male referred to by his title or only as the hero (All of the members of the Heroes' Guild, even those who are evil, are refered to as "Heroes."). As a child, the hero's village was raided and destroyed by bandits. As the only person left from the raid, he was taken in by the Heroes' Guild and trained to be a hero, along with a girl named Whisper. He then embarks on a journey to discover the reason behind his village's destruction, discovering along the way the true fate of his family and his own destiny.
Story In Depth:
The story begins when you are asked to get a birthday present for your sister Theresa. After doing so, your village is attacked by bandits, who kill your father, and steal your sister and mother. A mage named Maze finds you, and takes you to the Guild, where you meet your rival, Whisper, and the guild master. Eventually, you graduate. Your first quest is to kill the Wasp Queen. Maze pages you, and asks you to come to South Bowerstone. He comments that he's still trying to find your sister, and wishes you luck. Bandits want to steal barrels at the farm, and you fight Whisper during this quest. You'll then have to escort some traders through the woods. After you finish this quest, Maze will want to speak to you again. You arrive at Oakvale (the town that was attacked in the beginning), and he presents a theory that the Bandit King Twinblade lead the attack the night your village was burned. You're given a task to go through his camp, and find him. Once you arrive at his tent, he attacks you. After he is defeated, Theresa appears. She was questioned about the sword, but she didn't know anything, and so bandits sliced out her eyes, and left her in the woods to die. Twinblade found her, and has been taking care of her. She says you'll meet again, and leaves. After another filler quest, you must fight in the Arena. After the first few rounds, Whisper joins you, and fights alongside you. When you've completed all of them, you fight Whisper, and are presented with a choice, to kill her, or let her live. Afterwards, the most famous hero Jack of Blades escorts you down the main hall. One statue catches your eye. It's your mother; she was a famous hero known as Scarlet Robe. Jack then tells you he knows where she is, and you should bring your sister to him so you all can be reunited. Your sister will give you a book and a piece of paper, and ask you to meet her at the Grey House. The book explains your bloodline is from the Old Kingdom, somehow related to a powerful sword that The Archon wielded, and your bloodline are the sword's guardians. Your sister will explain it was Jack who led the attack on your village and blinded her. She also explains that your mother is in Bargate Prison. Next are a bunch more filler quests, dealing with unlocking the key to the prison. After arriving at your mother's cell, you'll both try and escape, but Jack foresaw this and set up an ambush, recapturing the both of you. It happens to be the Warden's birthday that day, so he sets up a race. The winner is escorted to his office for a 'surprise'. You'll search a book for the Cell Key when you get there, and then escape. You'll run to the Prison Armory, get your clothes back, and then free your mother. As you are close to escaping, a Kraken comes up from the sewers and attacks you. At the end, your mother tells you she needs a key (your sister) in an abbey at a place called The Hook Coast, in order to unseal the sword, but to get there, you must activate an old cullis gate. After activating the gate, you find the abbey has a seal around it. You are told to meet your mother in Maze's quarters. You do, and find her held hostage by Jack's Minions, and she teleports away. You find a book in a strange language, and you bring it to the guildmaster. The guildmaster will tell you to go back to the Abbey, and he'll read a chant from the book to break the seal binding the abbey's door shut. Inside you will see Maze reciting a spell while holding Theresa hostage. He says she's gone mad and he had to subdue her, Theresa denies it, and then Jack of Blades appears and tells Maze to get his 'key'. Maze was working for Jack the whole time. He traps you and gets Jack his 'key'. Afterwards, you are free and now it's time to kill Maze. After doing so, you'll chase Jack of Blades around the world, trying to stop him from activating the Focus Points sealing the key. At the very last one, Jack will say he'll go to the Guild, burn it, and claim the Sword. When you return, everything is on fire . Inside the Library, you'll find the Guild Leader, who is wounded. He tells you Jack has taken your mother and sister into the Chamber of Fate. You go inside. When you enter the Chamber of Fate you will find Jack, your sister, and your mother. Jack welcomes you and slits your mother's neck. With her blood he picks up the Sword of Aeons. You fight him, and kill him. Your sister then presents you with a choice, to either kill her and keep the sword, or throw it away. The ending changes depending on if you keep the sword or not.
Character Customization
Fable features a reasonably unique character customization system based on the concept that everything the character does should affect him. If he eats too much, he will gain weight. If he swings his sword constantly, he will build muscle. Every article of clothing the character acquires will change his in-game appearance. He can be further customized by using haircut, facial hair, and tattoo cards which allow for a range of body modification options.
The clothing, hairstyle, and tattoos the character wears will affect the way he is seen by the non-player characters. If he is porting a clean-shaven, well-dressed style, he will become more attractive but less fearsome. If he is brandishing scary tattoos and dreadful chainmail armor, he will become more frightening. These options change the responses given by the non-player characters. A terrifying character will cause villagers to cower in fear. A charming, virtuous hero will receive admiration and applause.
The actions that the character takes will score for him good and evil points. If he is killing monsters or saving villagers, he will receive good points. If he commits a crime or kills an innocent person, he will receive evil points. These affect not only the responses of the non-player characters but also the appearance of the character. A hero with an abundance of good points will soon find a halo and a pleasant glow surrounding him. An evil character will sprout horns and emit toxic fumes.
The hero can have a social life. This is mostly affected by how good or evil the character is. The hero can flirt, propose and even marry, provided he is romantic enough. The hero has no predetermined sexuality, so players are free to to play as heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual, and the hero can get married to other men and have sexual intercourse with them just like they can with the women in the game. The game does not "show anything", but sounds can be heard. Many females in the game will say that the hero is "naughty," while men may yell and say, "that's nice."
You can also acheive certain classes for the different things you do.
- Warrior: A melee warrior.
- Spellwarrior: A warrior that uses spells such as Assassin rush to kill enemies.
- Barbarian: Uses barbaric weapons such as a pickaxe.
- Fighter: A mix of skill and strength will help you achieve this title.
- Infiltrator: Learn the ways of the assassin. Learn how to sneak, steal and picklocks.
- Assassin: An evil warrior that is a somewhat good at archery and a master at guile.
- Battle Mage: A mage that uses mainly attack spells.
- Will User: A mage that uses magic.
- Witch Hunter: An archer and mage.
- Knight: A very strong warrior.
- Soldier: A strong warrior that can take lots of punishment.
- Bounty Hunter: A tough warrior that can take lots of punishment
- Archer: A very accurate bow user.
- Rogue: Master at skill.
- Mystic: A master at magic power.
- Thief: Adept at stealing.
- Scout: A very fast melee warrior.
- Apprentice: An apprentice at the guild.
- Druid: An evil magic user.
- Slayer: An evil archer and warrior.
- Runemaster: A good and powerful will user.
- Invoker: A master warrior.
- Hunter: A master archer.
Experience and leveling-up
The experience system used in Fable is rather simple yet unique and follows the general concept of the game: every action has a consequence. Points are gained in four categories: General, Strength, Skill, and Will. General points are gained through completion of quests and killing enemies and creatures. How you go about killing those creatures will affect in which of the other three categories you will gain points. Use your favorite sword or axe to hack an enemy apart or eat lots of healthy foods and you will gain Strength points. Fire your bow or engage in trade and acquire Skill points. Zap them with lightning or a fireball to gain Will points. These in turn can be used to purchase or upgrade abilities and statistics. General experience can be gathered when an enemy is killed. General experience can be used in any category (Strength, Skill and Will). The experience you gain can be multiplied during combat. As you kill more monsters, your combat multiplier increases. For example, if twelve experience is gathered and the combat multiplier is ten, the actual experience awarded is 120.
Magical Spells
There are three categories of magic spells in Fable: Attack, General and Surround.
Attack Spells
Enflame: This is a mage's main spell. The mage slams his fist onto the ground and a huge wave of fire is created which damages and knocks enemies off their feet.
Fireball: This is another one of the mage's main spell. An orb of fire is charged up in the mage's hand and released onto an enemy. Depending on the level of charge, the fireball will create an explosion.
Battle Charge: Thrusts you at enemies at high speeds and knocks them to the ground.
Multi Strike: A melee warrior spell. It imbues your weapon with the ability to strike targets multiple times.
Lightning: This is your first spell. It creates a stream of lightning which attacks multiple targets.
Surround Spells
Force Push: Does very little damage but knocks enemies of their feet quickly and with use of little mana. Think of it as an easy to use fast casting Enflame.
Turncoat: An evil spell that forces an enemy to fight along your side, against their will. Only evil characters can master this spell.
Slow Time: Slow time slows everything around you to a crawl while you move at a normal speed.
Drain Life: An evil spell that sucks the life out of enemies and gives it to you. Only evil characters can master this spell.
Summon: A monster is pulled from the underworld to do your bidding. As your summoned monster kills a stronger monster, that monster is replaced by your current one.
Physical Spells
Physical Shield: When activated, a blue aura surrounds you and protects your life from being depleted by enemies. Instead, your mana takes damage.
Berserk: An evil spell that pushes your warrior into a "hulking" frenzy. Your sword can easily knock out any enemy in one blow and even cut of their head!
Assassin Rush: A great melee spell if you're thinking of becoming an assassin. It's similar to battle charge in that it propells you quickly to a designated location. If you target an enemy, it will propell you behind that enemy so that you can hit them while their back is turned.
Heal Life: The good version of the drain life spell. Instead of taking life from an enemy, you are taking life from your mana. It also heals allies near you which is useful for example, when you are escorting some traders to a village.
Ghost Sword: Summons multiple ghost swords to attack for you.