Fable III: Pre-Review & Review

You guys know I had been awaiting the release of Fable III for-like-EVER. I dropped the $80 and pre-ordered it from Amazon with the guarantee it would arrive at my front door the very day it was released. I got it! I oh-so-carefully tore the packaging so I wouldn't mess up the good stuff.

I stuck the disc in and the opening scene started playing. I wanted to really get into this game, but ooooh no. Everyone in the house had to keep reminding me I had other obligations like feeding the the kids, or making sure we had toilet paper in the house. They're so annoying and it's like they don't even know me… or care.

I finally got to start playing. I am a very meticulous player. I like to go exploring. I have this need to complete every quest that's given to me. I'm probably not even half-way through the game yet. But I had to give you a little pre-review of the game so far. Hmmm… Where should I start?

I'll start by telling you where I'm at. Right now, I am the Queen of Albion. I am not married, nor do I have any children… yet. Theresa, who you may remember from Fable II, has told my character (Hero, which was/is the name you're given and cannot change) that something evil is on its way… Duh.

I (and by "I", I mean my character, who is female) am forced into making a choice I didn't want to make, within the first 3o minutes of game-play. I like that. The storyline is not as predictable as I thought it would be.

Interaction

I like the interaction I'm able to have with other characters in the game. I can hug, shake hands, hold hands, kiss, dance, whistle and tickle someone. But c'mon Lionhead Studios… playing pat-a-cake, belching or act like a chicken to someone? There's more you can do with the other expression packs, that I'm sure are vulgar, but haven't gotten them.  What irks me is that I'm given three options to choose from when I do want to interact with someone.

Characters like Ben Finn, Sir Walter Beck, Theresa, Jasper and so many others, really make this game so much fun to play. There are so many different characters and each with a distinct personality. I really want to get to know them all.

Quests

There are plenty of quests to keep you busy even after you've beaten the game. Acting as a courier, or "fetching" something for someone became rather mundane, there are quests that will keep up long after you bedtime. 

Sanctuary

I heart the Sanctuary. I'm impressed with the way it's set up:  The weaponry, dressing chamber, trophy room, even the Xbox Live chamber. And the map… fantastic job they did on that!

Map

Not only can you reach any place in Albion with ease, but you can buy, sell, adjust prices of homes and businesses without having to leave the room. I do wish they had given the option to "repair all property" in each area. It's been a real pain in the butt going to each and every home and repairing them that way.

It got kind of slow and I was playing, just to play, The graphics are as good as you'd expect them to be these days. The scenery hasn't impressed me so much as some other games I've played like The Elder Scrolls IV:  Oblivion or more recently, Dragon Age: Awakening, but it's still kind of early in the game, I think.

[UPDATE]

Up to this point, I really thought I was about half-way through the game. I beat the game the same day I wrote the above. From here on, is my review of the game after having beat it.

The game played out pretty fast once I got to a certain point. Beating the game wasn't too hard. The story ending was okay. It left it open for a fourth game, which I like.

So where am I at now? Well…

I've purchased every bit of property I can in the game.

I did end up getting all of the expression packs. I still haven't tried them all out thoguh.

I got married. I think I may have even gotten married, but I don't have any children.

I did not find all of the items in the game, but I have found most of them.  I've been playing off and on to hunt for the rest of the items.

There are three or four add-ons to the game, none of which I've downloaded and played yet, but will soon. Honestly, I'll play them just to kill time until the new Dragon Age II comes out.

Oh yes.  I can't end this post without saying something about the gameplay. One thing that's always impressed me with the Fable series is the gameplay. The controls are easily learned and the views from which you're character sees the game, makes it easy to play.

Summary

Aside from some of the annoying expressions and not being able to repair all my houses in one swoop, I really enjoyed playing Fable III. Overall, I was really happy with the changes they made this time around. The storyline was good and even after you've done all there is to do, you're still left with questions regarding your brother and Theresa.

This is a game I'm glad to have in my collection. Total time spent playing the game:  2d.15h.21m (so far).

★★★½☆☆

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