Grade: B
Fable 3 takes a hint from the Beatles and starts a revolution. Its stunning open-world environment and rich plot puts Steve Jobs' definition of a "revolution" to shame.
Fable 3 is all about personalization from start to finish, and it doesn't fail to deliver. Before even leaving the castle training grounds, players will make decisions that will play a vital role in the latter half of the game.
One such decision is the choice between sacrificing the protagonist's childhood sweetheart or a group of innocent civilians who are under scrutiny by the king of Albion.
The current situation for the protagonist is complicated since the ruler of Albion is none other than his malevolent brother. Atrocities like the one the player has just experienced can no longer be tolerated, and thus the hero's quest to overthrow his own flesh-in-blood begins.
The scope of this game is absolutely massive. Albion is never without somewhere to go or something to see, as the player transverses a variety of locations in a quest to rally an army to aid the rebellion. Sadly, the picturesque landscape is marred by the multitude of bugs that interfere with the game's natural beauty.
Besides the hiccups in frame rate and temporary lapses in the enemy AI, the gameplay in Fable 3 is like none other.
A sparkling golden path leads the player from objective to objective, which at times is both a blessing and a curse. Without the guidance of the in-game navigational system, finding some of the quest's more remote items would be near impossible.
However, the game randomly manages to confuse itself, leading the player away from objectives. Missions in the game vary greatly in length, complexity, and level of fun. One quest may consist of a monotonous delivery mission, while the next puts the player in the middle of a virtual Dungeons and Dragons tabletop setting.
After the revolution's conclusion, the game shifts into an entirely different vein, putting the hero in a position of power as it makes him the king or queen of Albion. The hero must now decide to either fulfill the contractual promises made throughout his journey or to exploit his subjects for personal gain. Plus, all of these decisions must be made with the looming threat of a war that will engulf the kingdom before the game's conclusion.
The in-game audio provides a much-needed epic ambience to accompany Fable 3's incredibly immersive gameplay. Over 80 voice actors contributed hundreds of hours of dialogue to make every conversation, every comment, and every snide remark filled with the wry British humor that the series has become so delightfully entrenched with.
While the possibilities in Fable 3 are just short of limitless, the main story of the game can be beaten in just a few short hours.
The main quest, however, is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Subplots such as the hero settling down, owning property, and becoming the next "Lute Hero" are just a few of the many activities that will keep the player enthralled for hours in the land of Albion.
Thankfully, the player won't have to wander this massive world alone, since man's best friend will stay faithfully by his side throughout the relatively short endeavor. However, if a virtual canine companion isn't exactly the most attractive option, players can utilize Xbox Live to meet up with other revolutionary heroes and quest through Albion together.
While this game is a successor to Lionhead's original hit, it has evolved in such a way that it can feel like the original is ancient history. However, the ideas that drove the series in its beginnings still play a dominant role in the franchise.
Fable 3 follows the proverbial two steps forward, one step back mindset. Ruling the kingdom has to be one of the greatest feelings in gaming history, though the brevity of this game will keep it locked behind the "Demon Door" of success.
