Rating: NNN
Fans of the Fable series will have their wish to be heroes satisfied by the latest instalment of Lionhead’s unique brand of role-playing adventure. As players return to the land of Albion, they discover themselves in the role of sibling to a tyrannical king. Society has become industrialized, and resulting evils include the sale of impoverished children to factories for slave labour. Dark times indeed. Not to fear, though. Once again, you’re destined to be a hero. And despite the grim setting, humour is still at the forefront in Fable III. Equipped with more gestures than ever, you find powerful fart and belch options that help you clearly communicate your intentions to the population.
[rssbreak]
As you’d expect in the third outing of a console-exclusive title, the graphics are top-notch, making Albion a rich and beautiful world. The background dialogue is equally varied, and it adapts to your every action. Aside from some bugs – mostly patched since launch – and the occasional frame lag, this is a superb experience.
As with previous Fable games, you can choose to be good or evil and, sadly, this is where the game’s weakest link surfaces. The plot is heavily geared toward playing as a good hero – making attempts to be evil either impossible or so incongruent with the storyline that they just don’t make sense.
Both newcomers and old adventurers will find much to like in Fable III, although the increasingly simplified combat system may make seasoned vets pass this round.
$69.99 from HMV, 333 Yonge, 416-586-9668, and others
