August 5th, 2011
By MegaGamer

Systems: Xbox
Developer: Big Blue Box
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
Online: No
Release: September 14th, 2011
ESRB: M

What game has undergone a name change and more delays then you can count and still has hype that is only second to Halo 2 on Xbox? Anyone? That's right, it's Fable. The long awaited action RPG that graced our eyes and minds over three years ago when it was announced (and I, for one, have been following its progress and hoping for its release since November of 2001) is finally set to make its appearance on our favorite console this holiday season. Don't get your hopes up too much about the release, you never know if it will be pushed back to 2011. But the more important thing is will all the extra time make Fable into the game everyone has built it up to be?

It was originally known as Project Ego and was going to let you take control of a 16 year old boy and then basically let you shape the world around you. The idea was the craziest thing anyone had ever heard because supposedly every action you did would permanently effect the world. Cut down a tree? Come back in twenty years and you will see it beginning to regrow. Kill a guy with a brother? That brother would remember it forever and may turn into one of your enemies and try to hunt you down later on. Get a scar in battle? Add it to the list, because it isn't going away. That was what the game was supposed to be.

How is it different? Well, let's just say with the name change came a whole new idea. The game isn't quite as open ended anymore, but it still gives you a lot of quests to complete. Each quest will have two ways you can complete it, one being the "Evil" way and one being the "Good" way. Good heroes are always loved by the townsfolk and if you are loved then you will see fans of yours trying to dress and look like you. Evil characters inspire fear into the hearts of townsfolk. Then will flee from your presence.

The way the character can change is still very much the same. If you decide to go melee and rely on brute force in all of your engagements, then your character will become bigger, bulkier, and you will earn strength experience points on top of your general experience points. If you like arrows and other ranged weapons, you will earn skill points on top of your regular experience points. And if you are a crazy about magic, you will earn will points as well as general experience points. So, you can either develop your character equally with all three types and make him a well rounded hero, or you can simply focus on one of the skill types and become either a big brute, a Robin Hood esque thief, or the most powerful wizard in the land.

In addition to the experience points, there are other ways to develop your character. As mentioned earlier, depending on how you complete a mission your character will either develop into a good or bad character. Good guys have a light that glows gently around them and as they become more good they may even get a halo over their head. Evil characters, on the other hand, will develop with a darker glow and will eventually receive a pair of demon horns. I know, the demon horns sound cooler, but come on guys, some people have to play the good guy.

The scar system looks like it will still make an appearance. If you receive a scar in battle you will still keep it throughout your life. It is definitely a way to show off your combat skills. Other obvious signs of character progression come in the forms of appearance as well. If you stay out in the light and do a lot of fighting and running your character will be tanned, lean, and buff. If you eat too much and be lazy, naturally you may start to gain a few pounds. And if you decide to be a night owl and focus on magic, your skin will become pale, your eyes will become white and glow, your hair will turn white and it will begin to recede, etc.

Visually, Fable looks very impressive especially for an RPG game. The environments are pretty and the draw distance makes it so you can see very far off into the distance. The characters are all designed very well. But the best looking part of the game right now is the special effects. Guys who go the magic route won't be disappointed because the spells look absolutely gorgeous.

So, in the end, while Fable isn't quite the same hyper-ambitious game it wanted to be a couple years ago, it is still becoming a game that you will definitely want to keep an eye on. It is shaping up to be the best RPG available on Xbox.