Is Fable 3 Worth Playing
Adah Orhenkowski
A new entry in the long-dormant Fable series is being worked on by Playground Games, and fans of the series are understandably excited to learn more. It has been years since the last Fable was released, and many new players may be wondering whether or not they should check out the original trilogy before picking up the new game. The good news is that players who are worried about story beats likely don't have to worry, as the new game seems to be a reboot of the series.
However, there are many themes and elements from older Fable games that players may want to familiarize themselves with ahead of the next Fable. All three Fable titles have aged a lot over the years, with the first Fable releasing on the original Xbox and its two sequels releasing on the Xbox 360. That much time could have many players wondering whether or not the games are worth checking out, but considering the original Fable was one of the best exclusives on the original Xbox, it set a precedent that shows all three titles in the series are more than worth playing in 2021.
Many RPGs focus on offering meaningful consequences to the actions and choices made by players, but the Fable series takes this to an entirely different level. This is done in a variety of ways, but the largest and most influential is undoubtedly Fable's iconic morality system. This system sees the player's character changing based on whether or not the player makes good or evil decisions over the course of their playthrough.
Raising one's morality in either direction changes the hero's appearance, unlocks new abilities, and changes how NPCs interact with the player. While the system has received criticism over the years for being inherently binary and easy to cheese, the results it has on a playthrough offer a special feeling that arguably isn't offered anywhere else in the industry. The impact of the player's decisions is further reinforced by how the world outside of the player is forever changed. Players can decide whether peasants live or die, can end up destroying an entire village, and even decide the fate of the entire world in Fable 3. This allows players to really have an impact on Albion and its history throughout all of Fable's installments.
The series also offers a unique take on the fantasy RPG that is heavily inspired by fairy tales and British culture. The games are renowned for their humor and silly atmosphere, and they present a whimsical world that is considerably more light-hearted than RPG series like The Elder Scrolls or The Witcher. This includes a variety of different stories, unique locations, and a few different spell systems across the Fable series.
Another unique aspect of the series is how it allows fans to see its world progress through time. All three games in the trilogy take place in the land of Albion, with each one being separated by years of progress and societal changes. This allows players to see the impact that time has on the world, with previously accepted religions fading into myths and the nation eventually reaching the technologies of the Industrial Revolution. This is a very special reward for players who are dedicated to the series, and will be something that the new Fable will have to be very careful to balance when it releases.
Here's my position, I loved the Wolf Among Us, thought it was an incredibly interesting world with characters. I really want a season 2...but I don't think it will ever happen sadly. But I'm craving more of that universe.
It's very good, but at the same time, it's quite an epic. I absolutely adored the early going, but it soon introduces more and more characters and generally has at least one other comic or miniseries running concurrently with the core book. If you want to dive headfirst into it, I think you would appreciate it. But you need to be prepared for plenty of issues and arcs in the middle that prioritize world-building and backstory over pushing the narrative forward. The fact the series has recently completely concluded is really a plus towards it... I'm excited about eventually digging into it once again sometime soon.
I would say check the first trade, if you like it, then you could stick to it until issue #75 and call it a day after that (after 75 is mostly hit or miss), but overall when Fables is at all cylinders, it is very much worth your time.
@nightriff: I was in the same spot as you, enjoyed The Wolf Among Us, thought the world was unique and interesting and wanted more. I read the majority of Fables and was not disappointed, it's far superior to what you get in the game. It's deep, full of interesting takes on fables well known and obscure and Bigby is an awesome character in his own right (the game plays up his aggressive side where he is actually incredibly cunning and likeable).
there was a while where the story had no point after the Adversary was defeated (the arcs that dealt with the nature of writing and the pathetic fallacy made little to no sense) but the more recent stuff with Snow and Digby's kids has been pretty great.
One of my favorite comic series. And I usually can't get into comics where the artwork does not stand out, but Fables is just so good to me it doesn't matter. (not that the art is bad by any means, its just not anything special. At times it can be great but mostly its just gets the job done)
I was into Fables since issue 1, all those years ago, and while it starts out great, The Wolf Among Us is so vastly superior that it's hard to go back. A lot of it has to do with the fact that The Wolf Among Us is a prequel, yet is based on characterizations of the characters that happen later in the series when the creative team has a better sense of what they are doing and what the series is about.
The game has a more grounded sense of style and delivery about it. As much as I hate movie-games, the game has the sensibilities of a film where the comic book has the sensibilities of a novel, and to some extent, a wandering, untethered style of drifting from the point all too often.
I found him in the slums of my hometown when he was just a pup...rescued him from a band of bullying orphans who thought it was funny to pick on a defenseless animal. He was my unwanted companion at first, and though we never spoke, something amazing happened during our travels; I actually started caring for him. I sacrificed random villagers at the Temple of Shadows, I cheated on my multiples wives, and virtually ignored my children, but I couldn't help but feel a certain protective ownership for my faithful companion.
It's interesting that the often mundane events like playing with your dog, buying up businesses and managing their profits (your shops actually make money when the game is off), or arranging the furniture within your house can be so compelling that the ''main'' story often takes a back seat. But this happens all the time in Fable II. What's also strange about this is that there is usually very little reward for your effort. Your wife might give you presents from time to time, for example, but there's really no persuasive reason to start a family. Your side life in Fable never intrudes on the main arc, but it helps the world of Albion feel all the more immersive. This is Fable II's most impressive feat.
You start out as an impressionable youth who--through fortune--crosses paths with the wrong man. Without revealing too much, your life quickly changes forever, and your epic story of vengeance and honor begins. While the narrative has its moments, it touches on many of the same beats as the first game and falls on its face at the end with an anticlimactic finale.
Fortunately, it's the hero's journey, not the hero's end, that makes this game worth playing. That path will have you rescuing slaves from a group of bandits, working your way through a gladiatorial-like crucible, and infiltrating your enemies' prison fortress in an elaborate rescue mission. The variety of trials you face is rich indeed, and though the story rarely ties back to the original game, there are a few nifty references for the fans.
Fable II boasts an impressive list of improvements. Instead of the bite-sized areas from the first game, the world now feels open and more worthy of exploring. In battle, you now gain bonus experience based on how well you perform, onscreen messages tell you when you can purchase that ability you're saving for, and you can even cash in old skills for some extra experience. On a whole, the combat system is more balanced, and all three combat options are equally viable, so eviscerating your enemies is entertaining no matter how you choose to do it.
Unfortunately, not everything is better this time around. While Fable II's online co-op sounded great on paper a year ago, its execution feels like a sorry rush job. Only the host gets to use their created character, and any friends who join the game will have to use presets. Even though you'll both share gold and experience, your friends won't be able to buy items, collect treasure, or wander very far. Your dreams of sneaking into your friend's world and destroying his hometown will have to stay dreams, because Fable II offers only limited interaction when exploring someone else's game.
At various points in the game you must perform side quests before proceeding with the story. While many of these quests are fun, some players will balk at running though the motions in order to progress the main plot. There aren't many boss battles to speak of, and the few larger encounters you find are copied and pasted throughout the game...be prepared to fight a few trolls. But one of my biggest gripes is that appearance options feel sadly limited. In a game that puts such importance on making your character your own, it's odd that there aren't more ways to alter how you look.
What they're selling: From Lionhead Studios - "In 'Fable III,' you will be called upon to rally and fight alongside your people, ascend to the seat of power, and experience the true meaning of love and loss while defending your throne."
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