# Fable III

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [September 2, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404 "2010-09-02T17:38:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/21 "2010-09-05T15:46:21Z")

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> [@smiling\_bandit](#):
>
> > [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](#):
> >
> > But to me this is just a action RPG. No big deal. I understand how some fans feel cheated. Heck, I’ll be if I was really having those expectations.
> 
> Even if it were “just an action RPG”, you can still have an actual worthwhile non-stupid plot. Nobody gets tired of saving princesses from dragons. Unless it’s the same Princess (_cough_ Peach _cough_). I’m just asking for a plot that tyakes the game as seriously as it asks me to take the game.

You’re right there; I do roll my eyeballs at Fable’s over-arching plot; some of the indvidual part is well-executed, though I am not sure if this game is trying to be an epic fantasy or comedy. I stick with comedy, and I guess that solve many problems…

> [@](#):
>
> Now, the extraneous elements are pretty ridiculous. You really don’t need any of it: it adds nothing and is really, really stupid. Did we honestly need a fart simulator in an RPG?

Definitely a comedy. I more or less just filter out all the parts about the game having a serious model of morality, relationship and etc. due to the history of the creator.

Though it would be grand if there’s a game that live up to half of Fable’s promises.

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**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/22 "2010-09-05T20:05:06Z")

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> [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](#):
>
> You’re right there; I do roll my eyeballs at Fable’s over-arching plot; some of the indvidual part is well-executed, though I am not sure if this game is trying to be an epic fantasy or comedy. I stick with comedy, and I guess that solve many problems…

Ah. I would compare it to Diablo 1 & 2 there. Both had very minimal plots: Hell on Earth, You Go Kill Satan’s Little Helper. But they worked and were nicely atmospheric and you really felt like you’d better get on the ball or the world’s toast. I even liked Fable 1, too, and felt that _most_ of the plot managed to be fine and reasonably fitting to the weird world around me. Towards the end it started to fall apart, and I noticed most of the bad elements in Fable 2 were akso retreads of 1.

> [@](#):
>
> Definitely a comedy. I more or less just filter out all the parts about the game having a serious model of morality, relationship and etc. due to the history of the creator.

So do I, but well, it’s just not funny. I get the impression Molyneaux and the design team think its funny, but, well, it’s kinda like Carrot Top. It’s just not funny no matter how excited and “zany” he acts.

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**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/23 "2010-10-26T19:39:34Z")

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Bumping this to see if anyone got it, since today is the release day. My copy should be waiting for me when I get home.

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**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/24 "2010-10-26T20:04:42Z")

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> [@Gukumatz](#):
>
> And every gamer I know now comes with a built-in Molyenoux filter. The pope is catholic, bears shit in woods and Peter Molyenoux hypes the living hell out of the games he makes. That’s been true since Black & White. You’re going to be a lot happier just ignoring him and trying the game when it comes out without any expectations.

Molyneux didn’t even get the hype train rolling on Fable. It was all the Carter brothers of Big Blue Box back when it was still Project Ego.

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**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/25 "2010-10-27T02:41:41Z")

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Picked it up tonight. Was only able to play for 40min or so but it seems pretty good. I,m interested in trying out this new progression system. After I play more I’ll post back.

Oh one thing I don’t like already is that they are using the Halo Reach blur effect on cut scenes using the in game engine. It looks so bad and I’m not sure why either game uses it.

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**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/26 "2010-10-27T03:10:50Z")

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I loved Fable I for what it was, and loved my playthrough. I bought 2 and liked it but couldn’t really get into it, I’ve tried to play it thrice and each time I end up quitting just after your first adult run in Bowerstone.

I’m debating picking it up, it’s heavily on the fence right now.

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**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/27 "2010-10-27T15:55:28Z")

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> [@Cubsfan](#):
>
> Picked it up tonight. Was only able to play for 40min or so but it seems pretty good. I,m interested in trying out this new progression system. After I play more I’ll post back.

I would liketo hear more. While I’ve been burned by Molyneux twice (on Fable 2 and that game where you play a god) I at least like some of the ideas in the third one, which encourage and reward side-questing.

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**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/28 "2010-10-27T17:42:54Z")

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I gotta say, I really don’t care much for the “anti-UI” interface. I’d rather navigate menus than navigate my own pocket dimension. I also find it harder to shop- not that I’ve really found anything to spend my money on, that is.

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**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/29 "2010-10-27T19:13:26Z")

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I actually prefer it when dealing with villagers (it’s a lot harder to hit the wrong button on an emote, for example) but yeah, shopping is weird and I’m still not used to it.

Graphics are lovely, the dungeons are less linear (lots of places to go that are off the glowing path), and so far the gameplay is very similar to the previous two.

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**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/30 "2010-10-27T21:12:20Z")

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Played some this morning. The story seems fun so far and the voice acting is great. I’ve got a magic spell now and it appears there is no mana to manage. Unlimited casting is nice. I’ve only played a total of an hour or so so I don’t have much to report yet. The first moral choice in the game is a real gut wrencher. If there are more like it the game will be good.

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**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/31 "2010-10-27T22:56:22Z")

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Doesn’t come out over here until Friday, but at least if I get burnt, I’ll have Fallout: New Vegas to go back to. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/32 "2010-10-28T00:05:54Z")

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Too busy with F:NV at the mo, I’ll pick this up after the reviews come in (and the prices drop a bit).

How does the new UI work, exactly? All I’ve heard is that there’s some kind of Sanctuary instead of a pause menu and in shops there’s no menu. To be honest it sounds like more of a hassle hunting for things by eye rather than finding them in a menu.

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**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/33 "2010-10-28T12:18:14Z")

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GameSpot gives it a 6.0 out of 10; the reviewer thinks that the moral choices doesn’t really matter much at all. Any thoughts on that?

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**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/34 "2010-10-28T12:43:18Z")

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> [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](#):
>
> GameSpot gives it a 6.0 out of 10; the reviewer thinks that the moral choices doesn’t really matter much at all. Any thoughts on that?

Only that Gamespot has given it 7.5, not 6.

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**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/35 "2010-10-28T12:44:39Z")

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I’m too early in the game to tell, but I’ve only been offered one major moral choice since the first one, and it’s very similar to early choices you had to make in the first two games.

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**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/36 "2010-10-28T12:52:44Z")

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> [@Gukumatz](#):
>
> Only that Gamespot has given it 7.5, not 6.

Darn, I must have mis-remembered.

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**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\
**Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/37 "2010-10-30T19:07:42Z")

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Ok I’ve put in about 6 hrs and am probably going to go trade the game in. First it’s buggy as hell. The breadcrumb trail disappears like every 50 steps and that’s annoying as hell. Interaction has been dumbed down to the point that it is straight up broken. It always gives me the “good” action of dancing which is pretty dumb seeing as all of the guys I’m trying to interact with are straight. Why it doesn’t give you control over which interaction you want to do is beyond me. Switching between weapons is slow as hell so mixing up combos is pointless. The map is just as bad as every other Fable. The graphics slow to a crawl if anything complicated shows up on screen. The slowmo kill scenes actually hurt you because lose sight of the enemies around you.

There are other beefs with the game but that’s enough for now. Good voice and scripting though.

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**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/38 "2010-10-31T07:52:45Z")

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Argh.

I really, really, really want to be able to enjoy this game. And I do - when it’s not broken.

- Horrible pathfinding for your dog and the enemies. (Dog will spend 1-2 minutes circling around dig spots to get into the exact position where he can trigger his digging animation.)
- Buggy buying system. (Occasionally you pay and get nothing or don’t pay and get whatever you’re looking at.)
- A lot of the features are insufficiently explained. (Where is the “dye” option, for instance?)
- The “No UI” design. I’m firmly against it, but that’s a matter of opinion.

My tip? Put it on the shelf and wait until after Christmas for when it’s been patched. It has all the makings of a good game - brilliant voice acting, thought-out story, etc, etc. All of those things that probably attracted you to a Fable game in the first place. They just don’t _work_ right now.

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**Author:** ![enigmatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@enigmatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigmatic)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/39 "2010-11-02T12:49:26Z")

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Yeah, to top things off, the save destroying glitch’s are back with a vengeance. It has a really stupid single save, auto saving, systems so if anything goes wrong you lose everything. It also appears to have a ludicrous number of potentially unavoidable save file ruining bugs. I’ve stopped playing to wait for a patch after lucking out with a hard reset for two different issues.

To make matters worse they have made the unusual decision to disallow save file backups from the 360 system menu.

There are a lot of angry people on the Lionhead forums right now.

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**Author:** ![Reign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Reign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reign)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-iii/552404/40 "2010-11-02T20:09:40Z")

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> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#):
>
> However, the new thing this time is that you get to be king. While you could be the de jure ‘king’ in Fable II and your decisions could shape the world (particularly in Oakfield), this time it’s apparently been ramped up to 11.

This one is more of a story based game and although you can do some side quests, the extra content for exploration and witty books and whatnot isn’t as big as Fable II, although the replayability is still very there.

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