The role-playing game seems to be in real danger of collapsing in upon itself with many new titles appearing almost indistinguishable from each other and increasing complexity making them extremely off-putting for all but existing fans of the genre. Fable, though, is something different. Created with input from famous games designer Peter Molyneux (designer of titles such as Populous and Black & White), it aims to be as accessible as it is open-ended, as the character you control gains experience, ages and chooses whether to follow the path of good or evil--or occupy a grey area between the two.

Fable is played entirely in real-time, so there are no random encounters or turn-based battles to endure; your character gains experience in four main areas--general, strength, skill and will--during all their actions from combat to talking to villagers. Specialising in a certain area allows your character to become an archetypal fighter, wizard or jack-of-all-trades.

The game's real flexibility though is in the way you interact with other characters in the game, with the option to charm, bribe, intimidate and flatter as appropriate. A character's attitude towards you is further influenced by your notoriety within the game world and even your sex appeal, allowing you to play the game exactly as you want. The only problem with Fable is that the combat is a little unconvincing and awkward, but with so much else going on this hardly seems to matter. --David Jenkins
Fable is a free-roaming role-playing game from the makers of Black & White. When your mother and sister are kidnapped, your first action is to travel across the magical land of Albion to find your father, the famed Hero. But soon you are plunged into a world of danger you couldn't possibly have imagined. A dark force is gathering. A power to bring evil to every town and village in Albion and to destroy the fairytale lives of the inhabitants. This evil force has turned the very Heroes into power-crazed, ruthless warriors. Only your father has resisted. That's why your family has been taken. And that's why the fate of your family is now in your hands. Oh, and the fate of the entire world.

As you embark on your adventure as a young, callow youth, you'll learn that something makes you different to all the others. You have a force of will. During your adventures, you'll grow up, grow stronger, grow more powerful and eventually grow old. But how you grow is down to you. Use your sword a great deal and your muscles will build. Use ruthless cunning and refuse to care about others and you'll become evil. Use your force of will and you'll become wizard-like and wise. Your character changes according to the way you play.

The mystical world of Albion is immense. There are hidden ruins, huge towns, caverns and mountains and hundreds of characters, all growing and interacting, all with their own artificial intelligence. Even the ones who aren't human. There is the option to ally with many of these characters, to learn what they know, to help or hinder them, to heal them or hack them to pulp.

You face tasks big and small, perilous and rewarding. And with every step, you decide where you'll go next, what you'll face, who you'll talk to and, of course, who will feel the force of your will or the edge of your sword. The game features innovative control and unparallel freedom. You don't have to sit through a word of storyline if you don't want and you are always free to travel wherever you choose. When and how you tackle the immense, detailed and gripping battle against the forces of evil is always down to you.
Fable is a groundbreaking role-playing adventure game from Peter Molyneux, in which your every action determines your skills, appearance, and reputation. Create your life story from childhood to death. Grow from an inexperienced adolescent into the most powerful being in the world. Choose the path of righteousness or dedicate your life to evil. Muscles expand with each feat of strength; force of will increases with each work of wit. Obesity follows gluttony, skin tans with exposure to sunlight and bleaches bone-white by moonlight. Earn scars in battle and lines of experience with age. Each person you aid, each flower you crush, each creature you slay, will change this world forever.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Truth or Fable?
Comment: I began playing Fable as bright and expectant as the young protagonist, who ventures out one early morning in search of a birthday gift for his sister. As the game progressed I like the main character became slightly more sceptical.

The graphics are endearing enough. But the story line is slightly dull, with as much depth as a morning chat show. It's surprising that this game is rated as 16, admittedly it does have some adult content, but nothing too imposing, as the game would really lend itself to a younger audience.

The game is quintessentially British, which is a pleasant change, its humorous and the dialogue engaging, regional accents and idiosyncrasies. The Game is over relatively quickly, with no World save during quests, a deliberation I imagine to expand the game's short life span. The bosses are not too difficult to defeat, and I was a bit disappointed that the infamous Jack o' Blades did not live up to his name or reputation. The game play is simple enough, although the World Map zoom, became a little irritating, especially when trying to fight bosses. This is being replaced with a dog in fable 2 and I can understand why

There are definitely some great touches and ideas in Fable, but like the game's content it feels a little bit rushed. The game play and artwork remind me of an earlier RPG released in 1999 called Silver, very similar and although graphically inferior, in my opinion a far better game.

Fable 2 is promising a lot, and like most I'm exited about its release, I just hope like the screen shots released on Lionhead's Website that it has a greater depth of field.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Only one fault - way too short!
Comment: I loved this game but i have dropped a star because i felt it was too short! After playing something like KOTOR where you spend weeks playing the game it seemed Fable was sadly over much too soon.

But apart from that it was great! great story, great characters and lots of comedy moments. What other game could you actually marry a man when you are a man yourself!. Like KOTOR you have decisions to make but also the added bonus of being able to choose your own haircut and facial hair!. It all adds to personalising the game and gives added gameplay.

I would highly recommend this game to all adventures lovers - but for those hard core gamers you may find you whizz through it a bit too quickly. However not long till Fable 2 is out through eh?.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Simple but fun RPG
Comment: When I first heard of this game, the way people talked about it made this game sound like it was potentially the best game in the world. Although it is unlikely to beat Final Fantasy it is a fun RPG with an interesting story.

One of the main features of the game is the ability to choose whether to be good or evil. Although this is very fun, and watching your appearance change and how people fear/praise you, it always feels like it's one extreme or another, trying to be neutral is incredibly diffficult.

The battle system at first glance seems like a basic button-bashing-and-blocking-when-they're-about-to-hit-you but there is more to it. Try button bashing your way out of a cave full of Hobbes, not very easy. The levelling up system also seems quite basic at first glance (and possibly is) and just involves you spending your points on specific abilites.

Now the quests, although fun, try and give you the illusion that they give you the option on what quests to do and not do, but the truth is that it again is more of a case of good or evil on which side you take and most extra quests (not all of them but most) are the same repetitive mundane tasks that are rather boring.

There are a few extras in the game such as buying drinks having topless fights and marrying women (or men) and although they seem small, they blend into the environment so well that it just adds to the fun of the gaming experience.

Now you're probably wondering why after badmouthing quite alot of the game why I gave it such a high mark. Why? Because this game although simple is fun and a must buy for anyone just wanting to play a game for the sake of it. Not just for simpletons. Buy it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Good, easy fun!
Comment: Do not listen to those who give this one star; this game is certainly worth five. Someone who has only played half an hour or so cannot possibly appreciate the quality of it. From the very beginning it is easy to play and the storyline is involving. There is a lot to do in the large world that has been created and it certainly doesn't suffer from a lack of depth. There are some parts which are slightly frustrating, but this is all part of the gaming experience and gives the player a huge amount of satisfaction when they are completed. My only warning is not to get this if you don't wish to become completely absorbed. Great stuff!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Comment: Albeit it starts pretty slowly, killing wasps and all, you soon get into real action, either slaughtering beasts of darkness, or innocent villagers. A good ripping laugh from start to finish, with infinite replayability. Oh and to all those who are like: "Too short man," or "Why can't we keep playing?" if you wait till after the credits, then you can keep playing, either with the big ol' sword (aeons) or not.

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