Fable

 Xbox
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 378 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 300 out of 378
  2. Mixed: 57 out of 378
  3. Negative: 21 out of 378
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  1. A.Verisimilitude
    Sep 16, 2004
    8
    Hello, Better than expected graphics. (It IS an xbox game after all...) Visuals are, overall, very pleasing, except the 'fish-eye' 160' camera view. Good music and sound effects. Honest effort to be a bit more original, yay. Good AI, though, due to plotlines, limited to 'stop being a bad boy' at times when you should just be killed. *sigh* Overall I can see the Hello, Better than expected graphics. (It IS an xbox game after all...) Visuals are, overall, very pleasing, except the 'fish-eye' 160' camera view. Good music and sound effects. Honest effort to be a bit more original, yay. Good AI, though, due to plotlines, limited to 'stop being a bad boy' at times when you should just be killed. *sigh* Overall I can see the shades of Black + White all over it. That's arguably a good thing, IMO. I just have to wonder why they thought the old predictable plot line was needed. While it was interesting enough to hold your attention occationally, that particular plotline really is considered 'too tired' from the RPG gaming standpoint. Personally I think a more open-ended game would have been better. Yes, I know you can continue, but with the gear you have at the end, what's the point... ??? In my day we used to shoot them when they went down, not bludgeon them with paddle swords. (or frying pans) hee hee Anyhow, good game, it was fun, I probably will play it again, but I am not really into SIMS (tm) meets Pools of Radiance (tm). While I really hate to say it, from a RP point of view, many other past games were better. However, it *IS* exactly what it is touted as on the box, RPG Action Adventure. I wish they had been that honest with Neverwinter's Nights. (tm) hee hee Sincerely, A.V.… Expand
  2. ScottH.
    Sep 16, 2004
    10
    This is awesome. Got it right now!
  3. EdwardtheBraggart
    Sep 16, 2004
    10
    Brilliant, deep, gorgeous game. not the scope of a morrowind, but hell, what is? the character development is the focus of the game. i found myself rethinking what "role-playing" actually is, and you know...i think this just might be the greatest roleplaying game of all time. don't let the naysayers get you down, those guys rushed through it with a negative outlook because its not onBrilliant, deep, gorgeous game. not the scope of a morrowind, but hell, what is? the character development is the focus of the game. i found myself rethinking what "role-playing" actually is, and you know...i think this just might be the greatest roleplaying game of all time. don't let the naysayers get you down, those guys rushed through it with a negative outlook because its not on playstation.… Expand
  4. ConnorGriffin
    Sep 16, 2004
    10
    I've been lookin' forward to this gae for two years, and I'm finally playin it, and it's everything I thought it would be and more
  5. Jay-TB.
    Sep 16, 2004
    9
    I love the game however in between quests thare are not nearly enough places to work up your exp or your cash. there are also in my opinion not nearly enough weopons to choose from that and the lack of armor and clothing customability. the other thing i dont understand is why if you eat tofu you gain good points and if you set crunchy chicken you get bad points. why is it a crine orI love the game however in between quests thare are not nearly enough places to work up your exp or your cash. there are also in my opinion not nearly enough weopons to choose from that and the lack of armor and clothing customability. the other thing i dont understand is why if you eat tofu you gain good points and if you set crunchy chicken you get bad points. why is it a crine or "devilish" to eat kfc. all and all the game is great i love it but if Big Blue Box intends so make a sequel to this epic then i would say they have a lot of work to do to change things to fix the common sence errors in the game.… Expand
  6. JohnC.
    Sep 16, 2004
    10
    I LOVE THIS GAME! I just wish that your person could speak like on Knights of the Old the Repulic.
  7. DerekvanderH.
    Sep 16, 2004
    10
    Amazing.
  8. DarrenM.
    Sep 16, 2004
    10
    I've played Fable, now, after only waiting for a full third of my life for it. And there's a separation, in there, of Fable the concept and the game I'm actually holding. I understand that many things had to be ditched for time and to avoid blowing up the overtaxed Xbox, but all that is gone the moment I put the game into the system. I've turned it on six times now, I've played Fable, now, after only waiting for a full third of my life for it. And there's a separation, in there, of Fable the concept and the game I'm actually holding. I understand that many things had to be ditched for time and to avoid blowing up the overtaxed Xbox, but all that is gone the moment I put the game into the system. I've turned it on six times now, and I can't even skip the intro videos. Fable is my perfect gaming experience. Anyone arguing that Morrowind was better must've been playing it on the magical mystery device that Never Lags At All. I beat Morrowind, and both the expansions, in the game of the year edition for the Xbox, and the game is so incredibly laggy that it's disgusting. I can't walk ten feet without a load screen, or major slowdown. This isn't any sort of coherent review of Fable-- at the moment I'm far too giddy for that, but please, please, please don't compare Morrowind and Fable in the same breath. Morrowind was tired within two hours. Fable, while far reduced from the seven years of hype, is the real deal. And for what it's worth, I think Fable might be my favorite GAME ever, but not my favorite RPG-- that's still Chrono Trigger.… Expand
  9. Steve-OA.
    Sep 15, 2004
    9
    I reserved this game in July(!!!) and I woiuld like to say I'm a little disappointed. I have to say it, I HATE MORROWIND! I hate everything about it, but this is the next best thing next to KOTOR. If you need another RPG for the Xbox(which everyone does!) you should definitely pick this up!
  10. RobMcC
    Sep 15, 2004
    10
    It is Killer!! Those subpar reviews you see are from people who always look for the worst in things. It is innovatively awe inspiring.
  11. EricS.
    Sep 15, 2004
    7
    I dont know if Anthony is on the payroll or if hes just apoligizing for every thing it isn't. And i dont know if this is everybodys first "rpg". which it really isnt i'ts a basic game. im not saying it isn't fun. but it pales in comparison to games like morrowind. games where you can roam free and dont have to follow the path. for the hype and the time it took it'sI dont know if Anthony is on the payroll or if hes just apoligizing for every thing it isn't. And i dont know if this is everybodys first "rpg". which it really isnt i'ts a basic game. im not saying it isn't fun. but it pales in comparison to games like morrowind. games where you can roam free and dont have to follow the path. for the hype and the time it took it's somewhat disappointing. 20 hours thats it. i could care less about punting chickens, or getting a haircut or tattoo. the camera's somewhat tough but the fighting style is good. Why was the childhood over and done with in 10 minutes with just a few things to do. right to the guild with an hour of training that was basic at best. the first town is small a couple of merchants a tavern and a barber. oh and a whole bunch of guards and townsfolk who dont do or say anything different from each other. yea i'm sure ill have fun playing it but to say "the best rpg ever" i dont think its even close. Had more fun with Shining Force from genisis 10 years ago.… Expand
  12. Buried-In-The-Box
    Sep 15, 2004
    10
    Well, I was going to play through the whole game but since Anthony C's review was so long I'm too tired for it all now. All you needed to say was it is awesome and could very well turn out to be the best RPG of all time.
  13. JEFFA.
    Sep 13, 2004
    10
    AN AMAZING GAME!
  14. AnthonyC.
    Sep 10, 2004
    10
    It may not have everything that Molyneux talked about (which by the way were IDEAS not promises), but what is in there and all that they've added makes this by far the most immersive game I've ever played. Molyneux stated that they would've loved to make it more free, but the processing system can't handle it in this generation of console gaming. i.e. "The growing It may not have everything that Molyneux talked about (which by the way were IDEAS not promises), but what is in there and all that they've added makes this by far the most immersive game I've ever played. Molyneux stated that they would've loved to make it more free, but the processing system can't handle it in this generation of console gaming. i.e. "The growing trees," says Molyneux, "were thought about for a while, and while we would've liked to do them, they had absolutely NO significance with the game." You could not interact with the trees, and because they took up so much processing power (around 15% of the XBOX's processing system just for managing the trees) they decided on using that process power wasted on trees for a more practical purpose: the actual hero and gameplay. So even if we did have horses and growing trees and co-op play and a female playable character in the game, that would've meant less process power for the COOLER features of the game: perhaps a few extra spells or weapons or expressions (something related to actual gameplay, mind you) were tossed in in exchange for some of the tree effects, horses, etc. Just to stop the whiners who complain that some of the characters in "Fable" either look alike or sound alike, I will include the next statement. How do you expect there to be an unlimited amount of dialogue and characters in a video game? There's only so much you can put on a disk. With hundreds of townspeople to interact with, there's obviously going to be SOME repitition - it's common sense! Not to say that "Fable" doesn't have a wide variety of people and sound bytes, because it very much does! The story in "Fable" is meant to give each player the same story points in some situations, and again, while they would have put in more open-endedness, the XBOX wouldn't have been able to handle it. The gameplay may seem easy for some players, but I have the solution: stop complaining that the game is easy for you and boast to raise the difficulty for yourself. It may seem easy for you, but for others it may not. I myself found some areas difficult and I've been playing video games for most of my life. Also, in contrast to many other RPG's that we're used to, "Fable" doesn't make you get stuck. There's no reason for someone to have to get stressed out over a video game, and that's what the "Fable" team did: made it enjoyable without so much stress. One of the developers said that "Fable" is more the type of game that says "Hey, come on in, relax, have a beer, I'm your friend," as opposed others such as "Devil May Cry" where you were trying to BEAT the game rather than play WITH it. He described DMC as the type of game that would make you very tense while playing it, and while "Fable" has tense moments as well, it's more along the lines of playing with it, not against it. They wanted to make it available to all gamers, not just the ones that play constantly. In terms of length, the game is not completed in 15 hours. Not if you play it right. If you play "Fable" the way it's supposed to be played, it could take any amount of time to complete, as the world of "Fable" is always on. Sure, you COULD beat it in that time if you raced through, only did important quests and touched none of the world, but you'd be missing out on the heart of "Fable" and what it has to offer: and believe me, it has a LOT to offer. Peter Molyneux and his team are GENIUSES, not liars, and this game is a must have for all XBOX owners, just as "Halo" is. In a short while, people will be screaming at eachother "WHAT?? You own an XBOX and don't have 'Fable'?!" *Do not miss this incredible experience. 10/10* --Only comments: slight slowdown with lots and lots of action on screen, there is a little bit of a flicker on the characters faces when up close, and there aren't enough chickens to punt - though there really could never be enough chickens to punt. :)… Expand
  15. AndyK.
    Sep 10, 2004
    10
    I composed the music and it rocks.
  16. DanC.
    Sep 6, 2004
    9
    Could have been a 10 easy, but the rushed project ended up only being almost perfect due to the fact they they took out alot of the best ideas for the game.
  17. GerbyLippywhips
    Sep 1, 2004
    10
    It will be the greatest game of all time!
  18. MaccMan
    Aug 30, 2004
    10
    Awesome game. This game is most definatly a great RPG. I got morrowwind on the XBOX and this game is just as good as morrowind. The only downside is that this game is not as large as morrowind but is it sooo fun to play. I cant keep away from it.
  19. IvorK.
    Aug 30, 2004
    10
    Class game...
  20. Lowievangend
    Aug 30, 2004
    10
    Best rpg ever!!!
  21. DanielR.
    Aug 29, 2004
    10
    Amazing. Just as many reviewers have said people got to hyped over it and thought the game was basically gonna be perfect. Just think the effort it took to make this game. People should stop basing their votes on what the game could have veen vrs. what it is.
  22. SamL.
    Aug 28, 2004
    1
    Overhyped and short. NPCs are too similar. Limited Side quests. Aging too fast.
  23. RavenX301
    Aug 27, 2004
    10
    I guess this was'nt all it was cracked up to be.....OH WELL! It's sure as hell good enough for me!
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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

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 87 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 87
  3. Negative: 1 out of 87
  1. Weekly Famitsu
    88
    9 / 9 / 8 / 9 - platinum [Vol 149]
  2. 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.
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  3. Xbox Nation Magazine
    90
    Fable both soars and sinks. It's wondrous and wearisome, a great step forward in the development of heroes in RPGs and a tremendous stumble over its own two feet. And in the rising and falling, it finds itself. [Oct 2004, p.88]
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