Fable III is a step back for Lionhead. Worse story, worse UI, worse NPC interaction... But still a decent game.
First off, the good:
- The game manages to keep all the humour and simplistic RPG gameplay that made Fable I and II so much fun. Despite all the other flaws this game has, I think these really redeem them to a certain degree.
- The sandbox style gaming has kept the allure from Fable II. I love how you can go around, buy houses, get married, have kids, be a murderer etc... This is how sandbox gaming should be!
- The replay value is worth it, since you can get a different experience playing once through good, and once as evil.
Now, the bad:
- I really don't see the improvement in graphics that everyone is talking about. It looks the same to me. Maybe i'm blind or something...
- The story is much, much more shallow than Fable 2. In fact, it doesn't even hold a candle. Fable 2 spent time building up the desire for the protagonist to have revenge. In Fable 3, you're set off on a revolution and revenge within the first 60 seconds. I don't buy it.
- The pared down UI, pause menu and interactions are a huge step back, as are the customization with combat/skills. You're basically given three choices instead of a wealth of options to interact with NPCs. WHEN WILL DEVELOPERS LEARN THAT TAKING AWAY OPTIONS/CUSTOMIZATION IS NEVER A GOOD THING.
- The combat is ridiculously easy. It is very easy to complete the whole game without being knocked down once.
- The quests seem to lack the oomph that Fable 2 had... They just don't seem to suck me in like they used to. And in addition, the relationship quests (fetch, carry, date etc.) seem tacked on... sort of a way to keep players busy to hide the lack of really good side quests.
Regardless, I still think Fable 3 has enough redeeming features to make it a fun game in it's own right. Pick this up if you can, but i'd suggest waiting for a price drop.