Fable III

Almost everyone who owns an Xbox 360, or indeed the original generation of Microsoft’s console, will be as familiar with the Fable series as they are with Halo or Forza Motorsport . Lionhead’s award-winning action-RPG saga boasts one of the most original and charming worlds ever seen in videogames, and has become a genuine flagship for the British games industry. Its 2008 sequel corrected some of the omissions, upping the ante on the character-morphing element that seemed little more than a gimmick in the first game, improving on the disappointingly short playtime of Fable and generally adding several layers of awesome to the foundations laid in 2004 – and the dog. Let no one forget the dog – one of the greatest, most lovable and loyal companions in gaming, ever. But now its four years later, and hyperbolic wunderkind Peter Molyneux is spinning his infamous yarns once more as the release date of Fable III looms ever closer. Only this time (whisper it), it looks like he might actually deliver on his promises. Returning to Albion for the third time, we now find it in the latter stages of an industrial revolution and resembling Victorian England circa the mid-19th Century. It has been fifty years since the defeat of Lord Lucian, and we join the story upon the death of Albion’s king. One of his children is a tyrannical miscreant called Logan (voiced by the ever-reliable Michael Fassbender of 300 and Inglorious Basterds ), and the other is, well, you. The first half of the game will see you rise against, and ultimately overthrow, Logan, assuming the throne of Albion for yourself. Where most games would end, Fable III begins in earnest as you set out to govern a nation however you see fit. You may want to punish your citizens, or reward them; you may want to go out amongst your subjects or rule them from afar; you may aspire to be an inspirational hero or carve yourself a name as a psychotic despot. Either way, we’re assured that Fable III will cater to your desires like never before. Character morphing has been increased to the power of awesome, squared, now allowing not only your appearance but also your weapons to morph along with you. Killing a certain type of enemy will alter the look of your swords, guns and magic gauntlets, further increasing your chances of creating a truly unique character. As an extension of this dynamic, the world itself will change depending on your actions. As briefly glimpsed in Fable 2 when Bowerstone changed as a result of your childhood actions, the entire nation of Albion will either shine brightly or fall into rust thanks to your decisions. Trailers suggests that your faithful canine companion will make a return, and the announcement of Stephen Fry as “Reaver” implies some continuity between the last instalment and this one. John Cleese, Ben Kingsley and, of course, Jonathan Ross (whose infamous tweet more or less confirmed the existence of the threequel) will all feature in the game, continuing the series’ distinctive penchant for over-the-top “British-ness” – although the apparent omission of Zoë Wannamaker makes us wonder if blind seeress Teresa will make an appearance. Her integral role in the series so far suggests that she will show her face at some point, but it is yet to be confirmed. Either way, once you throw into the mix a much improved melee-combat system (check out the gameplay footage on this very page), add in extreme morphing that finally gives your character wings, and consider the inclusion of a multiplayer mode that offers the freedom to run amok in another player’s world (without the frustrating limitations of the previous game), Fable III is looking to finally give us all what we’ve been waiting for – absolute power over the land of Albion. Although, you know what they say about absolute power… Y’know, I could never get into the Fable games. Gave ‘em both a try, but just didn’t enjoy them. Third time lucky perhaps? Yeah, not for everyone… I loved them both, but was disa