This review contains spoilers
I did not expect to like this game as much as I do. It really caught me off guard. Truly one of Gamings finest RPGs, and an Incredible Journey I won't forget. I have some minor complaints, but all and all I really loved this.
The title "Fable" couldn't be more on the nose. This game really does feel like you're in a Fable. The World they created here is so full of life and is really beautiful. Lots of awesome areas to explore, which I'm sure many I didn't even get to. The world traversal could have been a lot better, but I understand the hardware limitations for the OG Xbox, so I'll give the loading screens a pass, I've seen much worse from games released after this.
The Gameplay itself is a lot of fun. Combat was surprisingly nice and smooth, though Archery was fairly janky, but it was passable. Missions were more fun and more creative then I expected aswell. All around just some really good fun. The Demon Doors also add a bit more depth to the world, and the riddles or whatever you have to do to get them to open is usually pretty neat.
My biggest complaint with combat, though I thought it was really good, there are times where it falls a little short. Mainly, and this isn't all the time, mostly in near the end of the game, when an enemy hits you, you will get knocked down, and have to stumble back up. This is an animation, so it takes you a little to long, and once you get back up, there's a very good chance you'll get knocked down again, and again, and again, until you eventually break the cycle. This is not a regular occurrence, but when they throw like 4 or more (potentially at times like 20) enemies at you, it can be frustrating. I understand getting staggered, but knocked down? That might be a little to much.
Moving on, the Music was great. Really set the tone and atmosphere of every area. Nothing that I'd listen to in my free time, but that isn't what makes music good. It does what Music should always try to do in a video game, enhance the atmosphere the devs are pushing for.
Characters had really cool designs and stories. Jack of Blades, the Villain, has one I especially like. Your sister, Maze, The Guild Master, Whisper, etc. all great designs, and are voice acted well too.
Speaking of Jack of Blades, he is so damn evil. Spoilers, he burns down your village, kidnaps your Mom and Sister, as well as kills your dad and many of the Villagers. He cuts out your sisters eyes and leaves her blind for life. Imprisons you and your mother, inflicting a year of torture on you, and who knows how many years of it for your mother. Tries to rule the world and potentially end it. And the part that I'll remember forever, slits your mothers throat right in front of you to collect her blood. I didn't expect such an evil villain from a game with an art style like this, but I'm all here for it. He isn't just evil for the sake of it, he has legitimate ambitions and goals, and he really will destroy everything if you'd let him, all for himself. His Final Bossfight, or both of them, are both pretty cool. They could have been a little better, but not much to complain about.
The story was really good, though could have been a bit better paced. I though it was a bit to fast, but it was still very enjoyable. They did a decent job of making you give a damn about the world they want you to save, and the story had a lot of good memorable moments. Moments like the Village Burning, Growing up in the Guild, Fighting in the Arena (Which was amazing), finding your sister without her eyes after so many years, Jack of Blades Killing your Mom, and what I think is the most memorable, the game making you stay in jail for a straight year enduring horrific torture along the way. The prison thing really caught me off guard. I do wish they made it possible to escape on your first try, but It does make the whole thing more memorable. Story was entertaining, and was a fantastic adventure all they way.
The RPG elements is where this game really stands out. The peoples perception of you is dependent on what you do in the world. If you're Good, they will eventually cheer for you every time they see you. If you're evil, they will Boo you as you walk by. I'm not sure how much the game's story changes if you do the evil stuff, as I just wanted to play the hero, but I imagine it must be substantial. Besides how people see you, the upgrading of skills and powers is well done, and the upgrading of weapons is something I really liked as well. All around just great stuff.
Art style was something you had to keep playing to learn to love it. I wasn't a fan when I first saw the characters and the environments, but it really is beautiful in a way. It really pushes forward that Fable feel as well, and it feels Unique to this game.
All and all, a great game. Despite any minor complaints, it's a great Adventure RPG, that In my opinion, doesn't get brought up enough. Glad to get this off the backlog. This might be the most pleasantly surprised a game has ever made me. If you like RPGs, Adventures, and/or Videogames in general, I recommend you play this game.
Score: 4.3/5
Letter Grade: A
The title "Fable" couldn't be more on the nose. This game really does feel like you're in a Fable. The World they created here is so full of life and is really beautiful. Lots of awesome areas to explore, which I'm sure many I didn't even get to. The world traversal could have been a lot better, but I understand the hardware limitations for the OG Xbox, so I'll give the loading screens a pass, I've seen much worse from games released after this.
The Gameplay itself is a lot of fun. Combat was surprisingly nice and smooth, though Archery was fairly janky, but it was passable. Missions were more fun and more creative then I expected aswell. All around just some really good fun. The Demon Doors also add a bit more depth to the world, and the riddles or whatever you have to do to get them to open is usually pretty neat.
My biggest complaint with combat, though I thought it was really good, there are times where it falls a little short. Mainly, and this isn't all the time, mostly in near the end of the game, when an enemy hits you, you will get knocked down, and have to stumble back up. This is an animation, so it takes you a little to long, and once you get back up, there's a very good chance you'll get knocked down again, and again, and again, until you eventually break the cycle. This is not a regular occurrence, but when they throw like 4 or more (potentially at times like 20) enemies at you, it can be frustrating. I understand getting staggered, but knocked down? That might be a little to much.
Moving on, the Music was great. Really set the tone and atmosphere of every area. Nothing that I'd listen to in my free time, but that isn't what makes music good. It does what Music should always try to do in a video game, enhance the atmosphere the devs are pushing for.
Characters had really cool designs and stories. Jack of Blades, the Villain, has one I especially like. Your sister, Maze, The Guild Master, Whisper, etc. all great designs, and are voice acted well too.
Speaking of Jack of Blades, he is so damn evil. Spoilers, he burns down your village, kidnaps your Mom and Sister, as well as kills your dad and many of the Villagers. He cuts out your sisters eyes and leaves her blind for life. Imprisons you and your mother, inflicting a year of torture on you, and who knows how many years of it for your mother. Tries to rule the world and potentially end it. And the part that I'll remember forever, slits your mothers throat right in front of you to collect her blood. I didn't expect such an evil villain from a game with an art style like this, but I'm all here for it. He isn't just evil for the sake of it, he has legitimate ambitions and goals, and he really will destroy everything if you'd let him, all for himself. His Final Bossfight, or both of them, are both pretty cool. They could have been a little better, but not much to complain about.
The story was really good, though could have been a bit better paced. I though it was a bit to fast, but it was still very enjoyable. They did a decent job of making you give a damn about the world they want you to save, and the story had a lot of good memorable moments. Moments like the Village Burning, Growing up in the Guild, Fighting in the Arena (Which was amazing), finding your sister without her eyes after so many years, Jack of Blades Killing your Mom, and what I think is the most memorable, the game making you stay in jail for a straight year enduring horrific torture along the way. The prison thing really caught me off guard. I do wish they made it possible to escape on your first try, but It does make the whole thing more memorable. Story was entertaining, and was a fantastic adventure all they way.
The RPG elements is where this game really stands out. The peoples perception of you is dependent on what you do in the world. If you're Good, they will eventually cheer for you every time they see you. If you're evil, they will Boo you as you walk by. I'm not sure how much the game's story changes if you do the evil stuff, as I just wanted to play the hero, but I imagine it must be substantial. Besides how people see you, the upgrading of skills and powers is well done, and the upgrading of weapons is something I really liked as well. All around just great stuff.
Art style was something you had to keep playing to learn to love it. I wasn't a fan when I first saw the characters and the environments, but it really is beautiful in a way. It really pushes forward that Fable feel as well, and it feels Unique to this game.
All and all, a great game. Despite any minor complaints, it's a great Adventure RPG, that In my opinion, doesn't get brought up enough. Glad to get this off the backlog. This might be the most pleasantly surprised a game has ever made me. If you like RPGs, Adventures, and/or Videogames in general, I recommend you play this game.
Score: 4.3/5
Letter Grade: A