Fable makes the RPG fun
Before Fable, I had never reached the end of an RPG. The closest I got was in Ocarina of Time, I think I finished about 5% of that game. Of course that game was also 6 or 7 times longer than Fable which is one of it's largest flaws. The length of Fable has been criticized time and again, but as a gamer who is not a fan of RPGs, I find it to be a positive thing. The game provides so much for you to do, and gives you purpose for each activity. By the time you finish the game, you will definately have an immense amount of power, an amazing weapon and you will truely feel like a hero!
As Fable begins, you are a boy left alone while his family was taken during a fire. Eventually you are taken to the "Hero's Guild" where you are trained to become a hero. (A good way to discuise the learning curve of the game). Fable gives you the choice to act good, or evil. Unfortunately there are only 2 or 3 real points in the game where you have a chance to commit an act good enough, or evil enough to really sway your morality (they are all included in the main story mode). However, killing an innocent civilian or stealing something from someone's house will give you small bumps in '"evil" morality, and protecting traders as the reach their destinations will help you on the "good" side. These choices do affect the apperance of your character in the game. If you are good, your character will glow and eventually develop a halo around his head, butterflys will always float around him. If you are evil, your character will grow horns and eventually be surrounded by a swarm of flys. This all seems to be a bit of a gimmick, however, because two temples exist in the game for you to quickly change your morality by donating enough gold to the correct "god".
The game has a lot to do outside of the main story mission (which is advanced by "quests" given to you at the Hero's Guild). You can get married, buy a house, get drunk and even "go to bed" with your wife. You can choose to be hetrosexual or homosextual. You can choose to attack anyone or anything, but you will likely suffer real-world-esque consequences. All of this adds to an incredible amount of fantasy reality in the game.'
This is a game to be enjoyed multiple times and to be played long after the main story quest is complete. Although the story is somewhat short, it is a very good one and can be easily digested by even the most wary of RPG gamers. The fundamental flaw of Fable is that it's choice between good and evil is not really that much of a choice. The gameplay doesn't really change for the seperate moralities, and it is far to easy to change your mind as you work your way through the game. Despite this, Fable is definately a game not to be missed.
