Fable

In an E3 dominated by Role Playing Games, Fable stands out for the lone reason of its fantastic user-created gameplay.  Well that, and because it kicks ass. 

In development for what has seemed like ages, Fable won last year’s E3 award for Best in Show in the RPG class, and for good reason.  Unlike other RPG’s that claim a gamer’s decision makes a difference, Fable is completely dominated by user decisions.  Storylines and character appearance twist and turn with every choice, step, and action. 

Michael Johnson, product manager at Microsoft, gave me a walkthrough to highlight the features of Fable that make it an instant classic.  The game starts off tabula rasa, a young child with his entire future ahead of him, sets out to form his destiny whether it be following the path of good or the path of evil.  Michael quickly came to his first choice, take a bribe for witnessing infidelity, or let the word out on a cheating husband.  He took the bribe, an ‘evil’ decision, and evil deed points quickly accumulated.  As he walked through town, citizens were quick to heckle him as a trouble-maker and evildoer.  Reputation is quickly developed in Fable, and NPCs will act accordingly with behavior and chatter.  The world of Fable is completely dynamic, and is shaped by the player. 

Michael’s next demonstration fast-forwarded quickly to a very evil character.  Much further in the game the effects of one’s choices became very evident - the character was physically older, but more importantly he had horns, tattoos, flies hovering around him, and a big red stink that reeked of all things evil.    This guy was evil incarnate, and it all developed because of his actions.  As he battled zombies, Michael showed off the real-time combat system, which was a simple combination of melee weapons and spells.  There are fifty ranged weapons, fifty melee weapons, and fifty spells in the game.  Most lengthy RPGs have more, but Fable is less about acquiring +3 mithril armor and more about shaping your world and character, a welcome change to the genre.

Fable also allows the character to attain real estate, marry NPCs, and shape their attributes based on gameplay.  Live by the blade and watch muscles bulge.  Live by magic and see electricity sparking off fingertips.  You can even decide your sexuality.  Now that’s what I call dynamic.  Fable will be released in September in the United States and October in Europe.    

For All E3 2004 Previews