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May 13, 2003 - Fable has been a long time coming. Delayed more than once, Microsoft's first-party RPG genre buster is getting closer to its spring 2004 release. The Carter brothers, founders of Big Blue Box, the studio developing Fable, are finally ready to show more of the game's shine. Here's a quick catch-up: Fable is a free-ranging RPG where player choices affect how the entire world population reacts to them. Our hero comes home one day to find his parent's kidnapped, thus setting him on the path of a hero -- or a villain. It's up to you how you live your life from ages 15-44.
Last we saw Fable (a year ago), the framerate was, in a word, troublesome. Now, though there are still some drops, the game maintains a relatively steady 30fps. Grass sways, hair moves, and character design is impressively varied. Though there are little nitpicks -- like no reflection in mirrors -- overall the game is looking good. Especially considering the massive world housed within that single disc.
Controls are much more final than in the previous versions shown. It seems every button on the controller will be used, but the interface is very friendly. The face buttons operate as basic general commands. Icons pop up in the bottom right corner to show you pressing Y will have you interact with an object or pressing A will initiate a conversation with a nearby pedestrian.
The D-Pad serves a more interesting function. Your hero can learn from other people in the world -- how to burp, fighting moves, and expressions. When there's an action you can learn, the D-Pad classes on the bottom left of the screen. Just hold down one of the directions and learn the action. At any time in the game you can repeat learned actions. Some will serve to intimidate people, others will impress, and a few will simply disgust them.
The combat system is, at first glance, very simple. It's just a matter of a couple of times button hits for different combos. However, looking deeper at the combat, it becomes clear that there are a lot of subtleties lying within. The difference between a big sword swing (and it's momentum toll) and a short swing aren't always obvious from an eyes-on view. But sure enough, weapons handle differently and different weapon strokes handle in slightly different ways. And these things get bigger and badder as you upgrade them.
We witnessed a fight between our hero and three bandits. The bandits were smart, surrounding the hero. Blocking was necessary, but nothing was more effective than using our will. Will is the magic of the world. A level 1 push knocked one bandit a good ten feet, while the level 2 slow time turned the game Matrix-style with full-motion blur effects. But the baddest will power we witnessed was the high-level berserker spell. Signaled by an explosive ring of fire, our hero became bigger, his sword lit with flame. The toll for this spell, however, is that it ages you several months. Will is a major strain on your life force, which explains why every great wizard is a long-bearded old gent.
Everything in the world is upgradable. Any item, even a frying pan, can eventually become a weapon of legend, simply by becoming more skilled with their use. There are a variety of progressions in the game -- whether it's physical, will (magic), weapons, items, or social status. And, somehow, all of it works in conjunction with a fully reactive environment.
Hearing about all the talk about a reactive environment is one thing -- how villagers will cheer you on or that children will dig on your style for being a dope hero -- but seeing it in effect brings a striking realization that Fable, indeed, may end up as the greatest RPG of all time.
In the 15 minutes demo, a young boy met our hero at the edge of a town he often frequented. The boy, recognizing the hero runs into town announcing your arrival. In another instance, while fighting to save some kidnapped villagers, we heard hopeful cheers from the imprisoned people. They recognized that we'd come to save them and, fittingly, they were quite supportive.
Though there is some linear progression to Fable -- there is, after all, a beginning and an ending -- much of your time spent in the world is on your own terms. At the Hero's Guild, the one place where all heroes receive new quests, we were given the task of rescuing some villagers from a group of bandits. The reward was $1500. Now, in most games that would be that. The trick here is that:
A) There are other heroes in the world also trying to capture fame and glory who could beat you to the punch.
B) The bandits are executing the prisoners one by one, so if you don't find them in time, everyone will be dead and you'll be blamed for not saving them.
C) You can boast about your upcoming quest to earn more cash -- though it will make that quest much harder.
Boasting is done outside the Hero's Guild. Standing on a pulpit, there are three separate boasts you can perform for each quest. A boast, which is aid to a small throng of onlookers, may be that you will complete this quest with your bare hands or that you will not heal yourself during the quest. Each boast "bets" more of your potential reward money, but obviously adds a great deal of difficulty to the quest. Succeed and you'll earn extra esteem and improve your rep, but fail to fulfill your boast and even though your quest was a success, people will think you're a failure.
You character evolves from your gameplay. Lift rocks, they get stronger. Use will (magic) and they will age faster and grow bald. You can also change your hairstyle and dress to be whatever kind of hero you want to be. This is done in front of a mirror and is quite easy. It's important to have a good look, because children will try to match your appearance should you be fortunate enough to be their favorite hero.
Around town, you'll be able to change your appearance, find yourself a girl, buy anything you want in a shop (useful and useless items), or just get piss drunk. In the demo, our hero bought a rose from a shop and gave it to a pretty young lady standing outside a shop. She was so happy she asked if we were interested in taking on a "special" quest. Yes, it's exactly what you think. Get married, get a pet, live a life -- but in the end you will need to quest or people will begin to mock you, hate you, and say mean things that'll make you cry.
While much of this info was great to see in action, none of it was particularly new. Then Molyneux and the Carter brothers casually laid down the bomb -- Fable will include co-op play.
At least one player (though it may end up allowing four players on at once) will be able to accompany a hero on his quest. Alone, you can gain a sidekick or alter ego. This AI person aids in your quest. But have your buddy plug in a controller and he can control your sidekick. But more impressive, is that your buddy can take a save of his character from his game of Fable and drop it into your game! He has the same powers, abilities, nobility, and alignment.
Playing in tandem, one person must always be "the hero" while the other is the sidekick. The hero is the only one who can gain experience points and is the one the world reacts to. But you can flip-flop who is hero and sidekick with the black button. So, if you are clever, you can have a very evil character and a very heroic character work together. In battle, in towns, when receiving quests, you can switch who is the leader and therefore change how the world reacts to you. It's a bit of a strange idea, but the right team of powers and force could be unstoppable.
After play is done, your buddy can pull out and upload his character back into his game -- with any enhancements he earned while playing with you! Wow.
Outlook
Can't you read? It's going to be pretty damn good.
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