.:11/5/04:.

Well, well, well. One of the most anticipated RPGs to date has come strolling into my little hands. What's the verdict? Is this the best RPG ever created? Or is this just a piece of hype put into a game? Well, to be honest, Fable is a wonderful game. It has a lot of imagination that shows that the developers knew what they were doing. But after beating it twice with over 60 hours of gameplay, there just feels like there is something missing. Something that could have made this game an epic.

This was supposed to be a game with unlimited gameplay. I was imagining something like Morrowind where your PC would go where ever your little heart desires. But alas, it feels a bit contrived since basically the entire world is made up of paths. But the good part is that there are a lot of these paths and exploring is fun to do. Your character grows from a little boy to a man, either being an evil villan or the savior of Albion. This character building is as deep as it gets. You can litter your character with a bunch of clothing, to different haircuts and facial hair, and tattoos. The customization is incredible. At this moment, I'm trying to make a ninja type character, and later I'm thinkin about making a viking type character will all sorts of monstrous, wizzy-wig, hair. The fun in Fable is whether or not you want to spend time in the world of Albion. Trying to beat the game as fast as possible, is probably not what the devs wanted, but it's a choice you have to make. Actually immersing yourself into Albion will make the game grow on you and make the game last longer and have you enjoy your character going about the world.

Graphically, this is the most imaginative game I've seen. The level structures like in Knothole Glade are very original. The houses just melt into the forest, and just feel whole. In the course of the game you get scars and they come in many varieties like ones that are across your face or smaller ones like right under your eye. It's really cool to see because these scars stay with you and it feels like your character has been in many battles. The spell effects look really cool. Some worthy of noting is the berserk spell, which casts your character into an explosion of red energy as he gets Hulk-like bigger, and enflame, where your character slams the ground with his fist and creates a wave of fire that surrounds him.

This has got to be the best sound I've heard in a game to date. The music purely encapsulates the mood of each and every area that you enter. It's absolutely perfect. It has an epic feel to it that makes you just want to go out adventuring. Sounds effects are nice to hear, with every clang of metal on metal and every sheathing of the sword. It's there. The dialogue is great too. The acting is just right, and the British humor is appreciated.

Overall, it's up to you to make Fable how you want it. If you want to make a muscle-bound dude, with a greathammer, so be it, if you want to make a stealthy ninja, go ahead, if you want to make an archer that picks off enemies from far away, there ya go. Fable has given you the ingredients, it's what you do with those ingredients that count. The choice is yours.

"Release date: Fall 2015. Wait, scratch that".

--Alvin

Graphics - Very imaginative. Makes you feel like you're in a storybook.	9.4
Sound - The best music in any game. Kudos to Danny Elfman who created this epic score. Above average weapon sounds. Acting above average as well.	9.7
Gameplay - Fable is as deep as you let it be. If you beat the game fast, of course you'll think that it's short. Just take your time, enjoy the sights. Breathe it all in.	9.6
Satisfaction - First time you pop this game in, you are transported. 60-70 times you pop this game in, gets a tad boring, but I'm trying to make new characters to beef this baby up.	9.6
Overall	9.1