Fable

Xbox
Fable Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 87 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 364 Ratings

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  • Summary: In Fable, every action determines your skill, appearance, and reputation. From childhood to death, you'll age and evolve a hero or villain through the actions you choose and the path you follow--be it good, evil, or in between. Your muscles expand with each feat of strength; your bodyIn Fable, every action determines your skill, appearance, and reputation. From childhood to death, you'll age and evolve a hero or villain through the actions you choose and the path you follow--be it good, evil, or in between. Your muscles expand with each feat of strength; your body becomes fatter with gluttony; your skin tans with exposure to sunlight; and your battle wounds turn into scars. Competitive and cooperative heroes, deadly creatures, dynamic weather systems, and deformable environments all exist in the ever-changing land of Fable. Expand
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Fable Gameplay Movie 18
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 87
  2. Negative: 1 out of 87
  1. 100
    Just remember, Fable is not "Project Ego." What it is, though, is a redefinition for RPG's. It takes out all the frustrating elements of the genre, and instead puts in a heap of fun options and possibilities. This is why; despite its disappointing conclusion, Fable is one of the most gripping and enjoyable games that has come to grace the console scene.
  2. Sit down with fable, take it slow, and really enjoy all that there is to be seen here. I think fable isn't about genre defining gameplay, it's about creative invention. It pulls players in and makes you actually feel like you are a hero and not just controlling one arbitrarily.
  3. Those who enjoy experimenting with every possibility in their games will find enough in Fable to keep them busy for countless hours, while gamers who appreciate more objectives and a clear sense of direction will probably burn through the story quickly and have little reason to play through a second time.
  4. Fable isn't always awe-inspiring, and its combat lock-on system can be frustrating, but what it introduces to the genre is fantastic. "Watching" gamers' playing tendencies and assigning experience points accordingly is ingenious, and it really makes players practice their skills.
  5. Much of what was supposed to make Fable innovative was ultimately cut out, but what's left still looks incredible and is amazingly fun to play.
  6. For those of us who understand that while true non-linear storytelling is never going to happen, personalising a linear narrative in meaningful ways according to your own inclinations is far from inconsequential, then it's another significant step into the future.
  7. For all its advertising about a virtual world governed by cause and effect, Fable is really just a terribly unambitious hack and slash game in a bad marriage with a personality simulator. The hack and slash works fairly well-everything else, not so much.

See all 87 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 120
  2. Negative: 12 out of 120
  1. DarrenM.
    Sep 16, 2004
    10
    I've played Fable, now, after only waiting for a full third of my life for it. And there's a separation, in there, of Fable the I've played Fable, now, after only waiting for a full third of my life for it. And there's a separation, in there, of Fable the concept and the game I'm actually holding. I understand that many things had to be ditched for time and to avoid blowing up the overtaxed Xbox, but all that is gone the moment I put the game into the system. I've turned it on six times now, and I can't even skip the intro videos. Fable is my perfect gaming experience. Anyone arguing that Morrowind was better must've been playing it on the magical mystery device that Never Lags At All. I beat Morrowind, and both the expansions, in the game of the year edition for the Xbox, and the game is so incredibly laggy that it's disgusting. I can't walk ten feet without a load screen, or major slowdown. This isn't any sort of coherent review of Fable-- at the moment I'm far too giddy for that, but please, please, please don't compare Morrowind and Fable in the same breath. Morrowind was tired within two hours. Fable, while far reduced from the seven years of hype, is the real deal. And for what it's worth, I think Fable might be my favorite GAME ever, but not my favorite RPG-- that's still Chrono Trigger. Expand
  2. JeffM.
    Feb 17, 2005
    10
    Not only is this the best RPG of all time( it looks like FF7 has finally been dethroned), but is quite possibly the best overall game of, I Not only is this the best RPG of all time( it looks like FF7 has finally been dethroned), but is quite possibly the best overall game of, I admit the short story is a flaw but the replay value of this game is so high it is really not that big of a deal, pick this game up you will enjoy it, even if you are not a fan of the genre. Expand
  3. Mar 3, 2014
    10
    Ignore the low scores. Most people who give this game low scores has literally given every other great game low scores as well. This game isIgnore the low scores. Most people who give this game low scores has literally given every other great game low scores as well. This game is one of if not the most replayable game of all time. You can create so many different characters and choose different combat styles each and every time. I've played the same way through probably 5 times and still love it. I played it when it first came out and still play it now (2014). The combat multiplier is great and so is the fighting. It uses the "z targeting" that Zelda: Ocarina of Time implemented. I recommned this game to anyone. Give it a legitimate chance and you will love it. Expand
  4. ShawnO.
    Sep 22, 2004
    9
    This is the "PERFECT" rpg for the gamer whos favorite type of games are not rpgs!, like myself. I haven't had this much fun with a rpg This is the "PERFECT" rpg for the gamer whos favorite type of games are not rpgs!, like myself. I haven't had this much fun with a rpg game since windwaker, to me its Zelda meets Maximo, which I love both games. I can see why rpg purist are disappointed by how short it is, and the "over-HYPE", but thats it. I would say it reminds me of vice city in many ways also, but with more character buildup, because you can fly right throuh the game or you can take your time, doing endless amounts of tasks and many games...Grand Theft Auto should take notes on the good, bad Alignment, and how it rewards you eitherway. I would love to play a grand theft auto game that would change your character into a dirtyharry, deathwish, city hero for good, or a twisted metal looking, feared by all character for bad deeds. Finialy, the game is so good, that I will play it again to go down the dark path instead of the good which I beat the game with..... Expand
  5. SarfrazH.
    Oct 28, 2004
    8
    I reckon that it easily stands alongside FF7 as reaaaaalllyyyyy good RPG. however this said it reallly lacks in the replayability that other I reckon that it easily stands alongside FF7 as reaaaaalllyyyyy good RPG. however this said it reallly lacks in the replayability that other RPG's of this genre had. and the main storyline is a bit errrrrrm short. it'd be really cool if you could keep getting quests after completing the game and watching the credits. now that would be awesome : D Expand
  6. HoratioZ.
    Sep 23, 2004
    7
    This would be an excellent budget priced game. Read all the comments about the excellent graphics and then look at the actual game. The This would be an excellent budget priced game. Read all the comments about the excellent graphics and then look at the actual game. The graphics are pretty bad but everyone thinks they are excellent for some inexplicable reason. It's a fun game and worth buying but it isn't worth $50 and it's nowhere near the game that they promised. Expand
  7. Aug 30, 2021
    0
    Here's my Fable. Once upon a time there lived a greedy Microsoft Publisher and his lackey Lionhead, and once they released Fable 1 on the PC,Here's my Fable. Once upon a time there lived a greedy Microsoft Publisher and his lackey Lionhead, and once they released Fable 1 on the PC, and they did not give the second a chance, they fed us with expectations, and then there was silence, and here in the courtyard 2k21 and still silence, I think that it's time to remind the world that there was once a good game, and in order to remember everything good in it, you need to release it on your pc, only then people will go to buy a new Fable. This is how they say, and my Fable is over, and may my words not become dust in the eyes of Microsoft and the entire fan community of Fables. ~ MY DREAM IS NOT FULFILLABLE ~ Expand

See all 120 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

17
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
4
#4 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004