Fable 2 vs Fable 3

The second and third chapters of Fable have been an undeniable success, with Fable Two hitting a 'game of the year' award and Fable Three getting awards for best graphic; best story and even best co-op.

The question I put to you today, and you can montior my argument on this subject throughout the Hub, is - "Which is better, Fable two or Fable three?" and "Is Fable 3 a "near add on" or a game in itself?"

Fable has always been a high-seller in video-gaming markets. Since it's earliest release, gamers around the globe have loved playing the English magic, adventure, sort of game. The only reason I have not added Fable one to this debate is because I haven't played it - and because the original Fable was released so pre-Fable two that there would be many flaws in the first.

Anyway, if you aren't a Fable fan, here's a basic rundown of story of Fable in a short and brief paragraph:

Fable II

begins with a young girl and boy, who live on the outskirts of Bowerstone, the main town in Albion. The 'hero' (you) exchanges five gold coins for a music box, which is said to grant wishes. You're escorted to the castle, what you wished for, to meet with King Lucien who rules the Kingdom. Lucien is hunting you and other hero's, and trying to find ways to work the Spire. He kills your sister and tries to kill the hero, because you're the fourth hero, one that will bring an end to his reign.

• This may be more than a paragraph, sorry!

Anyway, you grow, want vengeance for your sisters death. You begin gathering the three hero's that you need to take down Lucien, while Lucien works on the Spire. After going through the same quest three times; which involves you becoming famous enough to meet the hero, you are ready to battle Lucien. He takes the three hero's and it's up to you to stop him. You defeat Lucien and the blind seer, who has guided you throughout your quest, offers you one gift.

Fable III

starts with you as the Prince of the throne. Your brother is a tyrant who is running Albion fifty years after Fable 2. Your Father (hero on Fable 2) started the industrial age in Albion and now your brother is exploiting the people. Sir Walter informs you about the start of a "revolution" against your brother, to become the 'hero' of Albion. You leave and begin gathering followers; while at all times being guided by the Seer.

After you've given promises to all your generals, you're ready for battle. You take down your brothers palace and you're then crowned King of Albion. Now, here's the tricky part.

Once you're King, you're told by your brother that the 'Darkness', which you've confronted in the caves of Aurora (a place off the shores of Albion), is spreading and that it will come to Albion. The Seer explains you must amass enough money to be able to defend it and keep your promises.

You have to save 6.5 million of funds. Either by breaking promises or kill Albion's land, which will make you a tyrant, or you can fund them your own way; through rent or selling. You may opt for satanic approach, keeping moral up but killing almost everyone in Albion, by keeping promises but having no money for defence.

Facing the darkness for the last time, you defeat the evil that tried to destroy Bowerstone. You're crowned either a tyrant or a hero. The end.

Fable II

There is quite a few compelling characters in Fable II, we have the brilliant Stephen Fry as Reaver, the Hero of Skill; Zoe Wanamaker, the Blind Seer, and many others. King Lucien, Garth - down to the novices, such as the crying Ghost, the Shadow council and many others.

The one bad thing about the characters is that while we've got some greats, there are some that needed a bit more thinking and they could've changed the characters that aren't really involved mainly, like Bowerstone residents. Other than that, the characters build a good story line and many average side-quests.

I believe the problem with Fable 2 is everything is main-story, and many old do side-stories for achievements or the fact they need renown to get through a main-story stage. Nobody really enjoys side-quests as far as I know, especially some of the tedious one's.

Repetition is a disappointment in Fable 2, they make you do the same thing over and over again, like get more renown. It's seems like everywhere you go you're completely unheard of, and the only way you can become known in by helping a man with his chickens or drive a boat for a madman.

I would give Fable 2 a 7/10 on story, side-story, characters and repetition.

Fable III

We have a story line that consists of you gathering followers, impressing the town folk and other...helpful things. The bad thing about Fable III is you can gather 'guild seals' from simply talking to people; killing creatures and just playing the game - it doesn't require a huge amount of time or effort.

There is a heck of a lot of repetition in Fable three, we have the same sub-quests to become friends, a lot of quests that involve 'taking out these _______ from their hiding place'. It gets dull, boring and unadventurous.

Some of the characters from Fable II have been brought with us from Fable II. Even more voices too. John Cleese joins us as the butler, which he performs incredibly.

Overall, it's a good ending, where you must gain enough money and keep your promises, but tedious and boring things make the story not worth going through. I give Fable three 6/10.

Fable III

Lets start with Fable III this time. Fable were very happy to announce this new way of purchasing thing and storage. I must say, the storage works perfectly, but the barter system does not. I much preferred it without the 3D effect - I think it's a varied topic, depending on how much people enjoy purchasing from shops. I just think when they put the 3D effect on shops they lost a big amount of variety in stores.

The feel of the game is much better than Fable II, you have a better fighting system where you can create disastrous moves and build up moves. The bad thing about Fable III is the magic and how you can only use one gauntlet at a time and even with two it feels boring.

The setting is nice, although I would love my Wraithmarsh back, I know Morningwood was meant to cut it but I miss the banshee attacks and fun you have in Wraithmarsh.

I give the feel, setting, variety and bater 7/10. Good but for all the promotion it got, it didn't deliver.

Fable II

The feel of Fable II was, well, a bit rushed. You seemed to be able to run as fast as lighting and there was many places you'd be attacked by the same enemies all the time. The game relied heavily on your dog finding treasure and dig spots as Fable II did, but sometimes the game would give you the same dig-spot every time you went past it - like someone planted a new gift there everyday.

Variety is, as I said above, better than Fable 3. You get a full view of all the shops inventory. I really enjoyed this. There was just no real storage and the storage system on Fable II was tediously long and dull. I give Fable II a 6/10, just a touch of it's sequel.

Fable II

For Fable II, most everyone loves you if you're a good human. They normally flock to look at you and talk to you. Many women will propose marriage even though you've never spoke. It's pretty simple and conversation works well; the only downside is if you're flirting everyone can get involved with the conversation, so you may attract unwanted attention.

You can purchase any house if you have the money, but not as simply as in Fable III, you must go to the house you want to buy - which can take a while if it's in a hostile part of Albion.

Fable II provides excellent love and conversation, but the property bit sucks. Still, I enjoyed it more than Fable III's - 8/10.

Fable III

Except the few people that become your best friends at the end of the game, you must work every friendship up from the dirt. First, you must retrieve a package or hand someone a letter from another region to become friends, then go on a date to become lovers. It really is so tediously boring, why can't people just like you?!

The property system is much simpler, you can go onto the 3D map and pick property from there. Whatever you want, and even if you haven't been to the location before.

Still, the conversation and love barrier is so bad - adding the fact that you can only use one expression for each button almost all the time, makes this the worst rating I've gave, 5/10.

We had two questions, let me answer them:

Which is better, Fable 2 or 3?

I believe even with Fable 3's many flaws and bad new features, it still wins in the overall contest. Maybe it's the new maps and storage that took me, whatever it is, Fable 3 wins.

Is Fable 3 it's own game?

No. It's too alike - it just screams "we're the same" on almost every subject and in many, it becomes worse than it's predecessor. I do like Fable 3, but it's never going to be it's own game, it will always be standing next to Fable 2, metaphorically obviously...Games cannot stand.