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. BloikF.
    Oct 13, 2004
    6
    Not anywhwre near as innovative as folks would have you believe. In fact, there's very little new stuff here. Come to think of it, they borrow so heavily from other titles of the genre it's almost not funny. Is it supposed to frame out like that? Ugh. And what's with the terrible voice acting? Doesn't help with suspension of disbelief at all. Decent, but not great by Not anywhwre near as innovative as folks would have you believe. In fact, there's very little new stuff here. Come to think of it, they borrow so heavily from other titles of the genre it's almost not funny. Is it supposed to frame out like that? Ugh. And what's with the terrible voice acting? Doesn't help with suspension of disbelief at all. Decent, but not great by any stretch of the imagination.… Expand
  2. Tenko
    Jan 5, 2005
    6
    Oh what a let down! Fable is very pretty but it's... TOO easy TOO short TOO dull. Not too surprising it's £15 in all the sales, 2 months after release.
  3. JeremyG.
    Sep 27, 2004
    6
    Way to short. A RPG that only lasts 9 hours is a renter as far as I'm concerened. Great gameplay but to little - um - too little.
  4. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    6
    It's okay, the charm is all there but the gamplay is bland, the UI and HUD is bloated, and the story is completely empty. Overall there isn't much to speak of, but I see the blueprint for what the franchise would be.
  5. DouglasG.
    Oct 8, 2004
    5
    I thought this game was sooooooooo disappointing. I was so excited and couldn't wait for this game, but I never should have bought it. It is definitely a renter. To take four years to develope this game and all I got was about 10 hours or less of playing time before killing the bad guy! Come on! KOTOR was much much better. The only thing that sets this apart from other games was the I thought this game was sooooooooo disappointing. I was so excited and couldn't wait for this game, but I never should have bought it. It is definitely a renter. To take four years to develope this game and all I got was about 10 hours or less of playing time before killing the bad guy! Come on! KOTOR was much much better. The only thing that sets this apart from other games was the body development and the scars that stay on your body. As for me, I'd rather have more game play then a scar on my face. I also read in a review that the game continues on after you beat the last guy, but mine didn't do this. The game ended with credits and I can only go back to my last save point. Not that it is a big deal since the only thing you can do is get married, drink beer, and fight people over and over again. I am sure there will be a sequel, but I will definately rent it to see if they improved on anything. Of course it may take 10 years for the sequel.… Expand
  6. CuppaJoe
    Oct 13, 2004
    5
    Oh dear. They used the same voice actors from B&W...Oh dear... Tired RPG elements galore, where is the supposed originality? Hype. Is it supposed to frame out this much? Disgraceful. Peter Molyneux, Legend? Populous and Magic Carpet a legend do not make. Over-rated as it is though, Fable is OK, just not excellent. And I re-iterate, the voice acting is terrible.
  7. Derrick
    Sep 23, 2004
    5
    It was a decent game but not that every body knows u can still play after u beat jack u just have to watch the credits and by the way i was truly applaud that u couldnt explore like in morrowind.
  8. XRAIN
    Jun 1, 2012
    5
    What does the feel like many years after the overhyping? Well, not great, but not terrible either. The story is very uninteresting and the hyped things about good and evil could have been made a lot more important aspect to the game. It doesn't affect story at all, which is a shame. Now it's just more like a simple detail. The story is too short and doesn't allow you to continue afterWhat does the feel like many years after the overhyping? Well, not great, but not terrible either. The story is very uninteresting and the hyped things about good and evil could have been made a lot more important aspect to the game. It doesn't affect story at all, which is a shame. Now it's just more like a simple detail. The story is too short and doesn't allow you to continue after having completed it (You can only continue with your previous save files). It does have a logical reason though.

    The combat is good though and I like the way of leveling up. Instead of leveling up, you earn XP for specific skills, which are earned in different ways (By using magic, close combat, ranged combat). The game is still too easy though. The game is worth trying. It doesn't amaze you, but it's still worth trying.    … Expand
  9. aadms
    Jul 21, 2011
    5
    After playing and enjoying Fable II and hearing from just about everyone how the first Fable was better, I couldn't wait to pick this up and enjoy the ultimate Fable experience. It didn't happen. The game has a better storyline than the sequal, I'll grant that, but the graphics, combat, magic and ambiguous inventory system says to me that it needs to stay in the previous Xbox generation ofAfter playing and enjoying Fable II and hearing from just about everyone how the first Fable was better, I couldn't wait to pick this up and enjoy the ultimate Fable experience. It didn't happen. The game has a better storyline than the sequal, I'll grant that, but the graphics, combat, magic and ambiguous inventory system says to me that it needs to stay in the previous Xbox generation of games. Over all, the choices given to you are rather simple and have too much in black or white consequences, it doesn't have the same humor as the sequel and the npc interaction is only a quarter of what you are able to do in Fable II. This game really didn't invoke any emotion from me at all. It might have been great and revolutionary when it came out in2004, but personally it left me rolling my eyes… Expand
  10. Hyperbole
    Jan 17, 2012
    5
    If it's hype over freedom and mechanics hadn't been so incredibly hyped I might of been able to enjoy the game more. It's a linear game and way too kiddy. It does have some imaginative ideas in it though and is solid in it's gameplay. Also, too easy.
  11. BigDegs29
    Nov 12, 2014
    5
    This game is better than its successor in only one regard: the story. And that's not saying much. In every other regard it falls short. It's clunky, uninteresting and leaves very little lasting impression.

    I honestly believe this game is way over-hyped simply because it attempted to take RPGs to a new place. Unfortunately, that new place isn't exactly as shiny as they claimed it    This game is better than its successor in only one regard: the story. And that's not saying much. In every other regard it falls short. It's clunky, uninteresting and leaves very little lasting impression.

    I honestly believe this game is way over-hyped simply because it attempted to take RPGs to a new place. Unfortunately, that new place isn't exactly as shiny as they claimed it would be.

    There are some fun bits, like the arena, but mostly it's a slog-fest. I'd recommend giving Fable a try just to see if you like the style of gameplay, but I wouldn't recommend buying the game until you know.    … Expand
  12. K.F.
    Jun 23, 2005
    4
    It's poor throughout. A bad game which fails on every level. It's not fun, it's not clever and the story is awful.
  13. V.Cajo
    Sep 20, 2004
    4
    RENT - do not buy! While the game has great graphics and interesting NPC interaction it certainly is not "ground-breaking RPG" that many have claimed. As a matter of fact it is an average game, FAR too short (8 - 12 hours) and very, very linear. If I remember right someone from the dev team (if not Peter Molyneaux) said that this would be free-roaming game or somehting like that? Somebody RENT - do not buy! While the game has great graphics and interesting NPC interaction it certainly is not "ground-breaking RPG" that many have claimed. As a matter of fact it is an average game, FAR too short (8 - 12 hours) and very, very linear. If I remember right someone from the dev team (if not Peter Molyneaux) said that this would be free-roaming game or somehting like that? Somebody should really have shown Morrowind to these guys so that they understand what open-ended, free-form game means... In Fable you are forced to follow certain paths and everything that is not flat ground (small fences, crates, rocks that are hardly even up to your ankles) is an obstacle and you can not go over it (no jumping). There are very few quests and you will be able to finish the game very fast. I have finished it in a bit over 10 hours and that is with a number of side quests and finding 2 legendary weapons and other hidden items. The game is fun though and I would strongly suggest renting it over the weekend. The key word is "rent" - do NOT buy … Expand
  14. K
    Feb 14, 2005
    4
    Fable is interesting, and impressive too at times, but rarely is it an enjoyable game.
  15. JaceN.
    Jan 12, 2006
    4
    Forgetting for the moment that everything that made Fable cool was removed feature by feature prior to release...it still plays like a racing game more than an RPG...in that youre tooling around fenced-in tracks in the middle of much larger environments. And its truly sad when supposedly more shallow titles like Halo have more places to explore than Fable. Four years of development wasted Forgetting for the moment that everything that made Fable cool was removed feature by feature prior to release...it still plays like a racing game more than an RPG...in that youre tooling around fenced-in tracks in the middle of much larger environments. And its truly sad when supposedly more shallow titles like Halo have more places to explore than Fable. Four years of development wasted on a pretty graphics demo!… Expand
  16. ArkonBlade
    Jan 6, 2011
    4
    well this was suppose to be the end all be all of RPg's coming out back in the day. i remember hearing all the things you where gona be able to do in it and how every story on this game was building it up saying 5 years in develpment and there is gona be so much to do! well it was all BS! what we got was a game that takes 10 hours to beat 12-13 hours if you do every thing in the game . awell this was suppose to be the end all be all of RPg's coming out back in the day. i remember hearing all the things you where gona be able to do in it and how every story on this game was building it up saying 5 years in develpment and there is gona be so much to do! well it was all BS! what we got was a game that takes 10 hours to beat 12-13 hours if you do every thing in the game . a simplistic hack and slash combat system with a GOD AWFUL lock on system . a story that is pretty dull and 2 lame endings.a very small world to explore . the going of good or evil really means nothing out side of some rude gestures you can make and the way your charicter looks. the graphics do look good . the enchantments on wepons is cool as it also makes the wepon look sick and give it bonus damage . this game is playable dont get me wrong but its a piss poor mediocore RPG that looses alot of points for all the lies the develpores have spread on what this game was gona pull off. as far as RPG's go you could find alot more RPG;s that are far better then this .… Expand
  17. JesseD.
    Sep 19, 2004
    3
    I loved the game... for the whole 7 hours it took me to beat it. The game issues are as follows: Over used story line. FAR to liner. NOT A CHALLANGE TO BEAT. and TOO SHORT.. a game that takes me 8 hours to beat isnt worth 50$. and the amazing replay value that they said this game would have.. it DIDNT.. what you do never changes.. you kill this guy.. take that item.. kill that other guy.. I loved the game... for the whole 7 hours it took me to beat it. The game issues are as follows: Over used story line. FAR to liner. NOT A CHALLANGE TO BEAT. and TOO SHORT.. a game that takes me 8 hours to beat isnt worth 50$. and the amazing replay value that they said this game would have.. it DIDNT.. what you do never changes.. you kill this guy.. take that item.. kill that other guy.. only thing you can change is if you want horns or a halo. This is the single most disappointing letdown from any game I've ever had. … Expand
  18. BillH.
    Oct 4, 2004
    3
    Ok this is crap. You may ask why I say that well to started it to short. The game could be beat in eight hour or so. The little I hear about it before it came out is it like morrowind is a way better game Fable more weapons Quest everything . Well all am tring to say is if Fable (a.k.a project ego) is what you ended up with then am sorry but you mess up. I could say more but I think I got Ok this is crap. You may ask why I say that well to started it to short. The game could be beat in eight hour or so. The little I hear about it before it came out is it like morrowind is a way better game Fable more weapons Quest everything . Well all am tring to say is if Fable (a.k.a project ego) is what you ended up with then am sorry but you mess up. I could say more but I think I got my point across.… Expand
  19. JimJ.
    Sep 19, 2004
    3
    Minimal game content, no challenge whatsoever, and the whole good/evil thing didn't matter one bit to the progression of the game. A really big disappointment after the all the postponements and all the boasting. If they would have spent half the time on the game content, that they spent on the good/evil system, they might have made something resembling a game. I mean I've Minimal game content, no challenge whatsoever, and the whole good/evil thing didn't matter one bit to the progression of the game. A really big disappointment after the all the postponements and all the boasting. If they would have spent half the time on the game content, that they spent on the good/evil system, they might have made something resembling a game. I mean I've played demo games with more content than Fable.… Expand
  20. LuosN.
    Sep 20, 2004
    2
    This game is such a letdown. All the waiting and the game just blows. its short, boring, and none of the promises were kept.......back to the store it goes.
  21. SamL.
    Aug 28, 2004
    1
    Overhyped and short. NPCs are too similar. Limited Side quests. Aging too fast.
  22. ntall1
    Aug 18, 2013
    0
    All the positive reviews for this game make me loose hope in humanity. This was a very bad game.. By no means was it good. The story was awful, and the good and evil aspect was very poorly implemented. The only reason it sold as massively as it did was due to the insanely over hyped advertisement campaign. The game did not in any way live up to a single one of its boasted features.

    When    All the positive reviews for this game make me loose hope in humanity. This was a very bad game.. By no means was it good. The story was awful, and the good and evil aspect was very poorly implemented. The only reason it sold as massively as it did was due to the insanely over hyped advertisement campaign. The game did not in any way live up to a single one of its boasted features.

    When I see this many positive reviews for what was a very bad game I call shenanigans.    … Expand
  23. 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, 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 toHere'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
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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]
    Read full review
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