We all have those special memories: moments in our lives that really changed our outlook. Sometimes for us gamers, it’s a particular game, and for me it was having my eyes open to Western RPGs.
I had just purchased the gigantic original Xbox and was looking for something other then Halo 2 to play. I was recommended Fable. After just a short time of playing the game I was instantly hooked. I had grown up on Dragon Warrior, but there was something about Fable that really spoke to me.
With Fable among the games receiving HD remastering, I was more then interested in giving it another spin. A long lost friend I would soon have the pleasure of meeting once again. Does the game still hold its charm?
Gameplay
If you haven’t played Fable before, it’s essentially a Western action RPG, featuring an open-ended story rather than the linear storytelling common to their Japanese counterparts. In Fable you have a Good and Bad Meter, and your actions in the game changes how your character will appear and be perceived. If you go all goody-goody eventually you’ll get a halo and white aura. Be a Mc.Bastard and well, you’ll end up looking like a demon. This means you’re always in control, always able to decide how your character acts, and it contributes to how others interact with you. If you play a goody-goody, people trust you more, while if you’re evil they fear you.
The action part of the game is very Zelda-light, in the sense that it’s very Z-targeting heavy. For those not familiar with Z-targeting, it’s where you hold down a button to lock onto a enemy. It’s very helpful when you want to dip and dodge around your opponent. The melee and long range combat is pretty much what you would expect. It works well for the game, if a bit dated.
Graphics
I really wanted to see the big changes in this HD remastered version of Fable, so I went into the gaming archives and pulled out my original copy for comparison. The first thing to note, while maybe not technically graphics, is the Widescreen treatment the Anniversary version gets. Everything feels a lot more expansive. That along with the additional HD textures makes the game really pop. It was interesting to see the amount of shadow work that went into the various forests that you travel.
While all these enhancements are fantastic they did come at a cost. The frame rate feels inconsistent and at times the game felt a bit sluggish. That being said it’s not a deal-breaker. For the most part the game still looks good and runs well.
Sound
Immersion is something very important in games, and luckily Fable Anniversary had plenty of that in the sound department. The soundtrack is still very present in the game, and instantly I was able to relax and enjoy. The voice acting totally makes this game, with plenty of chuckle-worthy moments due to itss odd humor stylings. Well that and hearing all the villagers call out your title. “Chicken Chaser!!”
The SFX are fine, nothing really fantastic but they still work well in the game.
Overall
This is a pretty descent title, though I’m not sure how it would hold up to a hardcore gamer. It definitely has its nostalgia value, and for those who haven’t played a Western RPG this title certainly would be a good starter. Overall a very entertaining title, still fun to play and looking great.