Fable

 Xbox
Fable Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 87 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 378 Ratings

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  • Summary: In Fable, every action determines your skill, appearance, and reputation. From childhood to death, you'll age and evolve a hero or villain through the actions you choose and the path you follow--be it good, evil, or in between. Your muscles expand with each feat of strength; your bodyIn Fable, every action determines your skill, appearance, and reputation. From childhood to death, you'll age and evolve a hero or villain through the actions you choose and the path you follow--be it good, evil, or in between. Your muscles expand with each feat of strength; your body becomes fatter with gluttony; your skin tans with exposure to sunlight; and your battle wounds turn into scars. Competitive and cooperative heroes, deadly creatures, dynamic weather systems, and deformable environments all exist in the ever-changing land of Fable. … Expand
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Fable Gameplay Movie 18

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 87
  3. Negative: 1 out of 87
  1. Gamestyle
    100
    Just remember, Fable is not "Project Ego." What it is, though, is a redefinition for RPG's. It takes out all the frustrating elements of the genre, and instead puts in a heap of fun options and possibilities. This is why; despite its disappointing conclusion, Fable is one of the most gripping and enjoyable games that has come to grace the console scene.
  2. Next Level Gaming
    94
    Sit down with fable, take it slow, and really enjoy all that there is to be seen here. I think fable isn't about genre defining gameplay, it's about creative invention. It pulls players in and makes you actually feel like you are a hero and not just controlling one arbitrarily.
  3. Xbox Evolved
    91
    Those who enjoy experimenting with every possibility in their games will find enough in Fable to keep them busy for countless hours, while gamers who appreciate more objectives and a clear sense of direction will probably burn through the story quickly and have little reason to play through a second time.
  4. DailyGame
    88
    Fable isn't always awe-inspiring, and its combat lock-on system can be frustrating, but what it introduces to the genre is fantastic. "Watching" gamers' playing tendencies and assigning experience points accordingly is ingenious, and it really makes players practice their skills.
  5. WHAM! Gaming
    85
    Much of what was supposed to make Fable innovative was ultimately cut out, but what's left still looks incredible and is amazingly fun to play.
  6. Eurogamer
    80
    For those of us who understand that while true non-linear storytelling is never going to happen, personalising a linear narrative in meaningful ways according to your own inclinations is far from inconsequential, then it's another significant step into the future.
  7. GameCritics
    40
    For all its advertising about a virtual world governed by cause and effect, Fable is really just a terribly unambitious hack and slash game in a bad marriage with a personality simulator. The hack and slash works fairly well-everything else, not so much.

See all 87 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 123
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 123
  3. Negative: 12 out of 123
  1. DerekvanderH.
    Sep 16, 2004
    10
    Amazing.
  2. MattN.
    Jan 19, 2008
    10
    This game is absolutely superb. I love going round massacaring people and then inhabiting their houses. Although the graphics may be lacking, This game is absolutely superb. I love going round massacaring people and then inhabiting their houses. Although the graphics may be lacking, i think that when Fable 2 comes out on 360 soon will be in the running for best game of 2008/2009. I can't wait.… Expand
  4. boysfan4life88
    Mar 3, 2014
    10
    Ignore the low scores. Most people who give this game low scores has literally given every other great game low scores as well. This game isIgnore the low scores. Most people who give this game low scores has literally given every other great game low scores as well. This game is one of if not the most replayable game of all time. You can create so many different characters and choose different combat styles each and every time. I've played the same way through probably 5 times and still love it. I played it when it first came out and still play it now (2014). The combat multiplier is great and so is the fighting. It uses the "z targeting" that Zelda: Ocarina of Time implemented. I recommned this game to anyone. Give it a legitimate chance and you will love it.… Expand
  5. NickA.
    Sep 22, 2004
    9
    When I first got the game I was hyped about it. Considering all the boasting that the game did. Then I played it. I was constantly telling When I first got the game I was hyped about it. Considering all the boasting that the game did. Then I played it. I was constantly telling myself that it was everything i had hoped for. Obviousely I was in denial. I still loved it for what it was, but it would have been way better if they didn't make all those false boasts. So they wouldn't let down to many people. … Expand
  6. PaulO.
    Oct 30, 2004
    8
    It's not groundbreaking, and it's certainly not Zelda on the X-box, but it's still a fine Hack-and-slash RPG. Interesting It's not groundbreaking, and it's certainly not Zelda on the X-box, but it's still a fine Hack-and-slash RPG. Interesting features include a nice... Well, I wouldn't call it an "economic model", but prices vary from store to store, so you can make a profit buying low and selling high. Also nice is how your character's look changes, based on hair styles, tatoos, age, alignment, etc. Fighting also feels pretty good. The downside is... The story is not only very cliche, but also very short. You'll be done with this one in ten hours or so. Even with all the side quests and silver keys and secret doors, I'd give it twenty hours at best. You can try for the relationship simulator thing, but I found that to be very shallow. It's a fun game, as long as you aren't expecting the world of Fable to mirror our own in complexity.… Expand
  7. JohnW.
    Sep 24, 2004
    7
    This game didn't do as well as it should have with the critics simply because it did not live up to the hype. If you ignore the hype and This game didn't do as well as it should have with the critics simply because it did not live up to the hype. If you ignore the hype and just play the game as it is it's a really wonderful RPG. It is as many critics have mentioned, very linear, and it is also very very short. The shortness of the game and how linear it is really takes away from what could have been the best RPG to date hands down.… Expand
  8. Theast
    Aug 30, 2021
    0
    Here's my Fable. Once upon a time there lived a greedy Microsoft Publisher and his lackey Lionhead, and once they released Fable 1 on the PC,Here's my Fable. Once upon a time there lived a greedy Microsoft Publisher and his lackey Lionhead, and once they released Fable 1 on the PC, and they did not give the second a chance, they fed us with expectations, and then there was silence, and here in the courtyard 2k21 and still silence, I think that it's time to remind the world that there was once a good game, and in order to remember everything good in it, you need to release it on your pc, only then people will go to buy a new Fable. This is how they say, and my Fable is over, and may my words not become dust in the eyes of Microsoft and the entire fan community of Fables. ~ MY DREAM IS NOT FULFILLABLE ~… Expand

See all 123 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Xbox Game of 2004
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
4
#4 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004