Full Version: Fable
For those of you who know ANYTHING about current RPG's, you know that in merely one week, Fable will be released upon the RPG hungry masses of Xbox users. You don't know what Fable is? Shame on you! Think of Morrowind + Black and White. This is a huge RPG, and IGN has a great preview Fable preview
At the risk of flaming you for liking the XBox, I'm gonna have to say that I'm not impressed with Fable. You get choices... um... great. Yay.
I think I'll take my RPGs clasically. The Final Fantasy series hasn't lead me wrong yet, and neither have the Nippon Ichi trilogy (LaPucelle: Tactics, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Phatom Brave.) See where I'm going with this?
Okay let's face it - the XBox is the N64 of the next gen systems. All party. Problem is - the XBox has absolutely none of the charm of the good ol' N64.
But then again, different strokes for different folks.
I think I'll take my RPGs clasically. The Final Fantasy series hasn't lead me wrong yet, and neither have the Nippon Ichi trilogy (LaPucelle: Tactics, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Phatom Brave.) See where I'm going with this?
Okay let's face it - the XBox is the N64 of the next gen systems. All party. Problem is - the XBox has absolutely none of the charm of the good ol' N64.
But then again, different strokes for different folks.
Yeah i like xbox.. but i own a ps2.. i can post a review of a new rpg called Star Ocean if you would like me too.
Fable is kinda old. Seen reviews a year ago. Just don't
A:become too evil by shooting all the guards. Horns will grow out of your head and you cannot sell things.
B: Shoot someone dead center in their forehead or dead center on their heart. Unless you like gore, then in that case, prepare for hearts skewered on arrows and decapitiation!
A:become too evil by shooting all the guards. Horns will grow out of your head and you cannot sell things.
B: Shoot someone dead center in their forehead or dead center on their heart. Unless you like gore, then in that case, prepare for hearts skewered on arrows and decapitiation!
QUOTE (arachnidoc17 @ Oct 5 2004, 01:50 AM)
Fable is kinda old. Seen reviews a year ago. Just don't
A:become too evil by shooting all the guards. Horns will grow out of your head and you cannot sell things.
B: Shoot someone dead center in their forehead or dead center on their heart. Unless you like gore, then in that case, prepare for hearts skewered on arrows and decapitiation!
A:become too evil by shooting all the guards. Horns will grow out of your head and you cannot sell things.
B: Shoot someone dead center in their forehead or dead center on their heart. Unless you like gore, then in that case, prepare for hearts skewered on arrows and decapitiation!
No. You saw previews a year ago. Previews of code (or more likely, previews of PR material released by the devco) that probably bears little resemblance to the release code that's coming out this week. A week may be long time in politics, but a year in game design is a helluva lot longer.
QUOTE (PsychWardMike @ Sep 15 2004, 03:28 AM)
Okay let's face it - the XBox is the N64 of the next gen systems. All party. Problem is - the XBox has absolutely none of the charm of the good ol' N64.
Like to justify that statement Mike?
Here's my rebuttals in advance to rubbish your statement.
1: N64 was obsolete on it's release by virtue of it's use of the cartridge medium. Xbox on the other hand is the most advanced console of this generation in terms of hardware. Inbuilt HD, broadband compatible out of the box, 4 controller ports, DVD playback, and with the most processing grunt of any of the 3 current consoles. Compare cross-platform releases, and the Xbox version always looks the best. To be fair, N64 did introduce the wonders of analogue control. You can't fault Nintendo's hardware designs - it's their fundamental design decisions and follow-up marketing strategies that all-too-often suck.
2: N64 had a huge problem with Nintendo's over-restrictive licencing strategy, ensuring a slim software catalogue that was disproportionately filled with 'cutesy' games from Nintendo's own stable (many of which were actually excellant, but put off the casual buyer with primary colour graphics), thus courting the (incorrect) idea which is still held widely today that 'Nintendo is for kids'. Xbox on the other hand is very open to 3rd party developers, and MS have deliberately targeted a more mature audience.
3: N64 was a clear loser in it's generation. Bearing in mind that it's competition were Saturn & Dreamcast (which I think we can agree Sega shot themselves in the foot with, despite them being an excellant and capable machines) and PSOne, both the N64 and DC struggled to even scratch Sony's paint. Xbox on the other hand is in clear second place behind Sony, and is still going from strength to strength while PS2 is really showing it's age now. Nintendo once again are struggling to match the marketing know-how of Sony and MS, despite having a great machine in the GC, and some stellar IP.
4: Charm of the N64? The case design was like something out of Buck Rogers! I mean admittedly, the Xbox is a butt-ugly brick, but at least it doesn't look like something that came out of an Airfix box. The N64 controllers were a double edged sword - on the one hand with a sweet analogue stick, on the other, that ludicrous three-pronged design made the D-pad all but useless if a game used the stick. MS made a big boo-boo on the original controller design, but they've repeatedly proved themselves to be customer-focussed, this time by taking on board the criticisms, and releasing the S-controller, which I can tell you, after many many many hours of use is as comfortable as any other pad to use. Sure, the black and white buttons are a bit stupid, but every controller seems to have a stupid point (PS2's horribly spongey sticks, Gamecubes cramp-inducing Z-button, DC's flimsy stick, bulky VMU slot and soggy triggers, N64's 'trident'). MS's committment to the customer has been second to none - another example is the free stuff they gave to early adopters when they announced the first price drop shortly after release. I remember when Sega did that me with the DC, and it pissed me off no end.
You really have a chip on your shoulder about the Xbox, but the reality is that it's a good machine, with an excellant software lineup and company support behind it that actually seems to have customer interests at heart.
Maybe it's the lack of traditional Jap-style RPGs on it that makes you feel like Microsoft hate you. Or maybe they just read this forum.
I thought XBox was quite good for RPGs? It's the only sort of stuff my partner plays and he swears by the XBox?
*can't believe she's even getting involved seeing as she's an XBox widow and would happily destroy the little boyfriend stealing bitch*
*can't believe she's even getting involved seeing as she's an XBox widow and would happily destroy the little boyfriend stealing bitch*
QUOTE (Snugglebum the Destroyer @ Oct 5 2004, 03:22 PM)
I thought XBox was quite good for RPGs? It's the only sort of stuff my partner plays and he swears by the XBox?
*can't believe she's even getting involved seeing as she's an XBox widow and would happily destroy the little boyfriend stealing bitch*
*can't believe she's even getting involved seeing as she's an XBox widow and would happily destroy the little boyfriend stealing bitch*
Mike seems to be a big fan of seriously Japanified RPGs. Xbox is a bit of a flop in Japan, so the Xbox RPGs tend to have more of a Western style to them.
Saw this somewhere else, thought I'd post it here: Peter Molyneux apologised on a forum for his overblown promises concerning Fable.
I think the emphasis is Molyneux's, but as it's third- or fourth-hand I can't say.
QUOTE
There is something I have to say. And I have to say it because I love making games. When a game is in development, myself and the development teams I work with constantly encourage each other to think of the best features and the most ground-breaking design possible.
However, what happens is that we strive to include absolutely everything we've ever dreamt of and, in my enthusiasm, I talk about it to anyone who'll listen, mainly in press interviews. When I tell people about what we're planning, I'm telling the truth, and people, of course, expect to see all the features I've mentioned. And when some of the most ambitious ideas get altered, redesigned or even dropped, people rightly want to know what happened to them.
If I have mentioned any feature in the past which, for whatever reason, didn't make it as I described into Fable, I apologise. Every feature I have ever talked about WAS in development, but not all made it. Often the reason is that the feature did not make sense. For example, three years ago I talked about trees growing as time past. The team did code this but it took so much processor time (15%) that the feature was not worth leaving in. That 15 % was much better spent on effects and combat. So nothing I said was groundless hype, but people expecting specific features which couldn't be included were of course disappointed. If that's you, I apologise. All I can say is that Fable is the best game we could possibly make, and that people really seem to love it.
I have come to realise that I should not talk about features too early so I am considering not talking about games as early as I do. This will mean that the Lionhead games will not be known about as early as they are, but I think this is the more industry standard.
Our job as the Lionhead family of studios is to be as ambitious as we possibly can. But although we jump up and down in glee about the fabulous concepts and features we're working on, I will not mention them to the outside world until we've implemented and tested them, and they are a reality.
Thank you for reading.
Peter.
However, what happens is that we strive to include absolutely everything we've ever dreamt of and, in my enthusiasm, I talk about it to anyone who'll listen, mainly in press interviews. When I tell people about what we're planning, I'm telling the truth, and people, of course, expect to see all the features I've mentioned. And when some of the most ambitious ideas get altered, redesigned or even dropped, people rightly want to know what happened to them.
If I have mentioned any feature in the past which, for whatever reason, didn't make it as I described into Fable, I apologise. Every feature I have ever talked about WAS in development, but not all made it. Often the reason is that the feature did not make sense. For example, three years ago I talked about trees growing as time past. The team did code this but it took so much processor time (15%) that the feature was not worth leaving in. That 15 % was much better spent on effects and combat. So nothing I said was groundless hype, but people expecting specific features which couldn't be included were of course disappointed. If that's you, I apologise. All I can say is that Fable is the best game we could possibly make, and that people really seem to love it.
I have come to realise that I should not talk about features too early so I am considering not talking about games as early as I do. This will mean that the Lionhead games will not be known about as early as they are, but I think this is the more industry standard.
Our job as the Lionhead family of studios is to be as ambitious as we possibly can. But although we jump up and down in glee about the fabulous concepts and features we're working on, I will not mention them to the outside world until we've implemented and tested them, and they are a reality.
Thank you for reading.
Peter.
I think the emphasis is Molyneux's, but as it's third- or fourth-hand I can't say.
Actually, you misuderstood my response - When I daid it didn't have the charm, I mean the outstanding party games (Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers, etc.) I don't really care about the design (though both are admittedly ugly as sin.) The 64 was much more charming.
Hell, while we're here, I'll bring up the Dreamcast. A little less power, but a lot more charm.
As for Japan RPGs? Don't really care. I'm more of a fighting game kinda guy. Or Capcom. Whichever.
Now, getting back on track with Fable? I'm still not impressed with it. If you want a compelling RPG that lets you choose, go with Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. Better script, better design, better graphics. More style, more flair, more fun.
Hell, while we're here, I'll bring up the Dreamcast. A little less power, but a lot more charm.
As for Japan RPGs? Don't really care. I'm more of a fighting game kinda guy. Or Capcom. Whichever.
Now, getting back on track with Fable? I'm still not impressed with it. If you want a compelling RPG that lets you choose, go with Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. Better script, better design, better graphics. More style, more flair, more fun.
QUOTE (PsychWardMike @ Oct 6 2004, 12:10 AM)
Actually, you misuderstood my response - When I daid it didn't have the charm, I mean the outstanding party games (Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers, etc.) I don't really care about the design (though both are admittedly ugly as sin.) The 64 was much more charming.
Right. As opposed to the PS2, which is positively brimming with hi quality party games.
*listens to earpiece*
Ah, I've just been informed that actually, the PS2 isn't brimming with party games after all. Eyetoy and Singstar are the two exceptions (and they're only two player anyway). And what other party games did the N64 have going for it? Mario Party and Goldeneye and .....um.....
Gamecube is the current home of party gaming to my mind (FF:Crystal Chronicles, Mario Party, Zelda: Four Swords, Wario Ware, Monkey Ball, Bomberman...all 4 player mayhem)
But if you want a party game, look no further than your humble Xbox, and one of it's early titles. Yup, Halo. Love it or hate it, you can't deny that it's multiplayer aspect is part of what made it hugely successful. And Xbox Live? The biggest party game network in the world? Hmm.
Party games for the PS2 that I've played with other people lots:
The Tekken games (especially Tag, for obvious reasons, and I think this was a release title)
Quake III
Eyetoy stuff
Burnout 3 - Crash Party mode (admittedly it's cross-platform, and it's a ew addition to the list, but I suspect this will be a long-term favourite)
There are others, but these are the ones I've played lots of with other people. It's by no means a huge list, but Tekken Tag alone has kept me and others happy for many many months.
It's probably just me, but none of the GC party games have ever really appealled that much to me. I can't say I really remember hearing of many XBox party games, but the Live aspect does suggest that there are plenty of them.
Which all leads to the conclusion: No platform is actually really any better than any of the others, they've all got good games, you pay your money and you take your choice.
The Tekken games (especially Tag, for obvious reasons, and I think this was a release title)
Quake III
Eyetoy stuff
Burnout 3 - Crash Party mode (admittedly it's cross-platform, and it's a ew addition to the list, but I suspect this will be a long-term favourite)
There are others, but these are the ones I've played lots of with other people. It's by no means a huge list, but Tekken Tag alone has kept me and others happy for many many months.
It's probably just me, but none of the GC party games have ever really appealled that much to me. I can't say I really remember hearing of many XBox party games, but the Live aspect does suggest that there are plenty of them.
Which all leads to the conclusion: No platform is actually really any better than any of the others, they've all got good games, you pay your money and you take your choice.
QUOTE (Jonman @ Oct 6 2004, 10:22 AM)
Eyetoy and Singstar are the two exceptions (and they're only two player anyway).
Don't know about Singstar, but I've played Eyetoy: Play with three other people...
QUOTE (Mata @ Oct 6 2004, 11:43 AM)
It's probably just me, but none of the GC party games have ever really appealled that much to me. I can't say I really remember hearing of many XBox party games, but the Live aspect does suggest that there are plenty of them.
You're certifiably bonkers mate. Monkey Ball, Wario Ware and Bomberman are all more fun that mud-wrestling with porn stars. All absolutely out-there mental fun. And Zelda:Four Swords is a genius idea - take the 2D style of Zelda, and stick four players on screen at once. Works incredibly well - me and Kat have been playing it a bit, and both rather enjoying it.
Tekken Tag is the one standout party game on PS2 for me. Muchos fun.
QUOTE (CommieBastard @ Oct 6 2004, 12:42 PM)
QUOTE (Jonman @ Oct 6 2004, 10:22 AM)
Eyetoy and Singstar are the two exceptions (and they're only two player anyway).
Don't know about Singstar, but I've played Eyetoy: Play with three other people...
and a wide angle lens, I presume.
Nope, turn-taking (while the rest of us sat on the sofa giggling and trying to distract the person playing).
My official review.
I am happy to say Fable has eaten my soul. I really did not want to like this game. But after I spent 5 hours playing it the first day I really could not remember why I wanted to hate it. The game is beautiful, but there are some noticeable lags in the game during some levels. It was not really enough to bother me and it never caused me to lose any data. It really does take advantage of the Xbox system when it comes to sound, speed, and graphics (please mike hold you Xbox hating opinions to yourself, we all know how you feel, this is about the game not the system
).
The story is very open allowing you to travel when and where you want. This is great for leveling up. But when you are on a mission you are on it. The save system allows you to save your stats but not you progress once you have started your guild mission. So I suggest you save before you start your mission.
The controls are a bit confusing but the beginning does allow you some time to get used to it. The controls get more confusing as the games moves along but by that time you are used to the controls and it is easier to pick up.
As I mentioned before the game is very open, kind of like if Animal Crossing mated with Morrowind and had a extramarital affair with GTA: Vice City. You can marry, have sex, chose your sexuality, buy a house, join a fight club, go fishing, dig for lost treasure, walk around in your underwear, steal, trade goods with people for profit, become a gladiator and a host of other things. While the actually game story seems a bit short once you combine the rest of the possibilities in this game you have a decent amount of replay value.
My official rating
*****
It would have gotten 5 stars if it wasn't for the short story line and the control system.
I am happy to say Fable has eaten my soul. I really did not want to like this game. But after I spent 5 hours playing it the first day I really could not remember why I wanted to hate it. The game is beautiful, but there are some noticeable lags in the game during some levels. It was not really enough to bother me and it never caused me to lose any data. It really does take advantage of the Xbox system when it comes to sound, speed, and graphics (please mike hold you Xbox hating opinions to yourself, we all know how you feel, this is about the game not the system
).The story is very open allowing you to travel when and where you want. This is great for leveling up. But when you are on a mission you are on it. The save system allows you to save your stats but not you progress once you have started your guild mission. So I suggest you save before you start your mission.
The controls are a bit confusing but the beginning does allow you some time to get used to it. The controls get more confusing as the games moves along but by that time you are used to the controls and it is easier to pick up.
As I mentioned before the game is very open, kind of like if Animal Crossing mated with Morrowind and had a extramarital affair with GTA: Vice City. You can marry, have sex, chose your sexuality, buy a house, join a fight club, go fishing, dig for lost treasure, walk around in your underwear, steal, trade goods with people for profit, become a gladiator and a host of other things. While the actually game story seems a bit short once you combine the rest of the possibilities in this game you have a decent amount of replay value.
My official rating
*****
It would have gotten 5 stars if it wasn't for the short story line and the control system.
Fable is the first game I've ever played on a console since my mum got my lil' sis an N64 when we were wee and they all mocked my inability to ... well ... do anything.
But I too am an Xbox widow and have now officially given in and decided to try Fable out. If anything at least if I'm playing it he isn't...
And I like it. Except for the fact that I can't move in a straight line or aim properly when shooting (but that's most definitely my inability to handle an anode stick).
But the ending sucks. (My boyfriend finished it already and is now playing again trying to be evil - silly boy)
But I too am an Xbox widow and have now officially given in and decided to try Fable out. If anything at least if I'm playing it he isn't...
And I like it. Except for the fact that I can't move in a straight line or aim properly when shooting (but that's most definitely my inability to handle an anode stick).
But the ending sucks. (My boyfriend finished it already and is now playing again trying to be evil - silly boy)
bump.
four months after I started playing I finally got round to completing Fable (couple of weeks ago). And yes the ending still sucked, But I was evil so never mind.
The only annoying thing about being evil was that I was using the Arena challenge to level up (i.e. doing the first few rounds then saving my stats and restrating the mission cause I was too lazy to level up properly) and I killed so many beasties I was good again by the end of it.
Did it annoy anyone else that you couldn't kill Lady Grey?
four months after I started playing I finally got round to completing Fable (couple of weeks ago). And yes the ending still sucked, But I was evil so never mind.
The only annoying thing about being evil was that I was using the Arena challenge to level up (i.e. doing the first few rounds then saving my stats and restrating the mission cause I was too lazy to level up properly) and I killed so many beasties I was good again by the end of it.
Did it annoy anyone else that you couldn't kill Lady Grey?
QUOTE (porcelainwarrior @ Feb 21 2005, 03:20 PM)
Did it annoy anyone else that you couldn't kill Lady Grey?
Yes. But it was fun slapping her about until she divorced my eeeevil character. He just stood there in his pants, laughing. A hobby of mine, as it happens.
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