Fable
System: XBox   Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios   Developer: Big Blue Box   Genre: RPG   Release Date: 09/14/04

Quick Synopsis	Overall Score
Enjoyment:  Exemplary Graphics:  Fantastic Sound:  Above Average Replay:  Definitely

Finally the game that everyone has been talking about has hit the shelves.  Fable for the XBox has gone through many name changes, but it had originally started out as Project Ego; which is fitting considering how vain the character is.  Fable is a model game worthy of being a prototype for the games of the future.  Granted the developers did not achieve all of the goals that they had set forth in the beginning, but they weren't afraid to reach for the stars.  One of the features that they were trying for in Fable, but could not accomplish, was direct competition between other heroes for both infamy and missions.  This would have pushed the player into taking on and completing the missions faster than they otherwise would so that the other heroes would not get to them first.  While this added competition would have been interesting the fact that they could not implement it does not in any way adversely affect the game.  Fable is a fairly straightforward action game with plenty of extras to grab your attention and hold onto it.

You begin the game as a little boy in a town called Oakvale.  Your father offers you some money for all of the good deeds that you do.  Throughout the town there will be people in need of your help which will help you earn some of that money.  It is also your sister's birthday so you need to use that money to buy her a gift.  Once you give your sister her present the story line begins.  Your town is attacked and your father is killed.  Bandits then seize your mother and your sister.  You are left all alone in a town that is on fire.  Then a man appears and offers to help you.  He takes you to a place called the Heroes' Guild where you will learn to become a hero.

At the Heroes' Guild you will meet a young girl who is also in training.  Her character was meant to be one of the heroes that you would have been in direct competition with had they been able to implement that aspect of the game.  However there is still a bit of competition between the two of them, but it does not alter the story line.  She will be your sparring partner.  You will also be working with the Guild Master, he will train you in all of the combat techniques.  Your character will begin aging at this time and continue aging as the story progresses.

Once you have finished all of the training you will be able to take on missions.  These missions will increase your renown, experience, and your pocket book.  You will have the choice to take missions for the good side or the bad side and depending on that choice your character will become good or evil.  Your appearance will change depending on what type of person you choose to be.  If you are good you will be covered in a white light and butterflies will fly around you.  If you choose evil then your eyes will glow red and red smoke will appear around your character.

The story itself is leading you up to avenging your family's death and capture.  You will find out bits and pieces about what happened that night in Oakvale and why it happened.