Fable 3 Xbox Review

With an excellent story mode and multiplayer in previous Fable's, is III the same high-quality, top of the range gaming experience? And does it beat other competition in the adventure game market?

Fable III's certainly had the most promotion of any in the trilogy. Many head producers, directors and designers of the game told the public it would be the best in the series and would incorporate some new features that Fable II desperately needed.

One of the real issues with Fable II was it's sometimes sloppy appearance - glitches; variety; conversation with characters. On a whole, Fable II was good, but it needed perked up. That is what we wanted, and in some places we got it. More so than just perking up though, we wanted a whole new experience, but with the same down-to-Fable characters.

You are a Prince in the story, who is son of the King of Albion in the previous game (who you play). Your job is to overthrow your brother, the tyrant who rules Albion. Poverty and anger rule the streets, where your brothers name is worst than the devils. Your job is to collect allies, to aid in overthrowing the ruler.

The story consists of many different places, with many interesting and brilliant voice-over characters. Some of the old characters are back, including Reaver (Stephen Fry) and Jasper (John Cleese) - who have great enthralling voices, that draw the gamer in.

Even though you have a set story, there is a lot more you can do in the game. From chasing treasure chests & silver keys around with your dog; purchasing land or just helping the locals, there's a seemingly endless amount to do in Albion. The marriage, housing and child development stage has been much improved as well.

The gameplay, accessibility and ease in Fable III is great, unlike Fable II, you're not surrounded by items which require skills to use or experience. The creators have made it easy for novices to become experts with almost everything you come into contact with on the game. Maps and settings have been differed as well; to create a new ease into the game.

Fable III works like Fable II did in many ways, in combat, the same one button system has been applied; although you can now create different specials, buy different weapons and do combat specials.

The only real disappointment is, once again, the bug of freedom. With Fable being an open game, without any real contradictions on where you can go, it allows the player to converse with all characters at any point. The downside of this is they can converse with you too, and once you're liked, they all come running at you and the game can get a little buggy. No biggy, but if you're an extreme gamer, it may get a tad annoying.

All in all, the story is solid and even after you've overthrown the King, it doesn't end. You begin your reign as King and must fight more enemies; which is a very enjoyable perk to the game. The multiplayer is a step up from II, where the co-op was something that needed improvement. The settings and character creation is much easier and looks better - with your own butler and storage base a click away.

Almost everything on Fable III is an improved version of Fable II, complete with new features; new story and new characters - it works on so many levels, that the little things that bug people shouldn't even be bothered with. It's a must buy!