Review: Fable III

OK, here’s the real story. In Fable III, I contracted an STD, gave birth a kid named Dude and vomited in a graveyard.

Well, I also did the revolution-leading and the wrong-righting things, too.

Fable III takes place 50 years after Fable II. You play as the child of the King of Albion, the hero of the previous game (you can play as either the prince or the princess). Your father has died and your older brother has assumed the throne, ruling Albion with an iron fist.

You flee the castle just ahead of imprisonment and are called to lead the people in a revolt against your brother.

To do that, you must travel to the four corners of the land, proving your worth as a hero by completing tasks set out by the leaders of the various factions.

Along the way, you can go on quests, interact with the local residents and fight bandits, the undead and other assorted highwaymen.

Your faithful dog again helps in your travels. You can teach him to attack enemies and he also helps out locating treasures and hidden items.

Your repertoire of combat includes melee weapons, magic spells and ranged weapons (guns). As you reach key points in your efforts, you are transported to the Road to Rule, which allows upgrades to weapons and spells and improvement of skills and talents.

Administration of all your goals and travels is managed through a 3D interface that displays a world map and rooms that contain all your clothes, weapons and online activities. Traveling to towns can be speeded up through fast travel that delivers you to the nearest point to a goal, with a sparkling trail leading you further.

Interaction with individuals includes dating, marrying and having children. Players are also free to buy property and earn money by making pies, playing the lute or working as a blacksmith.

The fight for the throne, however, is only half the battle.

Once ascended, the weight of the crown forces you to make hard choices. Do you save money by breaking promises or do you spend without looking toward the future?

Much of the gameplay while serving as monarch is administrative, making choices in defending the kingdom, although nothing prevents you from continuing in your smaller quests and traveling among the populace.

Online play allows you to jump into a random game, with you and the other player teaming up for adventure. You can also set your game to allow other players to appear in your game as orbs. You have limited interaction with the orbs, including the ability to “gift” gold and other items to other players.

You can also play in co-op mode with another player on your 360, jointly ruling the land.

Fable III paints a story of revolution and redemption, while anchoring it in mundane daily living. The lived-in world and plethora of quests and goals make it an enjoyable day at the castle well worth the journey.

Platform: Xbox 360 Rating: Mature Manufacturer: Microsoft Game Studios Score: 8.5 fabled chilies