A heroic let down.
Lets start with story. I had high hopes initially, being faced with a rather difficult moral choice almost immediately, regarding sacrifice. This was, however, the most difficult moral choice in the entire game, I found. While being quite entertaining raising the revolution, gaining support from various factions, it was proving to be a solid Fable game. But soon, I found myself tiring of the one-button combat, "repeatedly tap x, occasional flourish if they're blocking, repeat." (I'll come back to this. I promise you.)
Back to the storyline. You're finally crowned King, and that's when you realise, this game has it all wrong. Money = Morality. After being King for one day, I found I either made evil choices, or be racked in huge debt, which would lead to the death of all of my people. I can see what Lionhead was going for here, but, it seems so unfair, that you have to be evil to be good. Perhaps that was the catch for the game, that should have had a lasting effect on me.
However, it did quite the opposite. Deciding that I wanted to make good choices to help the people, AND that I wanted them to live to see it, I realised that since I wasn't going to get any money from King's choices, it would have to come out of my own pocket. Hence, I bought every shop and property, charged sky high rent to get the millions I would need, and went off to watch the telly. Sure enough, it got me my millions.
This will be the point where you will argue I destroyed the game for myself, and perhaps you have a small point. With my millions, I could easily make every good moral choice, which undoubtedly took away the trauma of having to do bad things to get money to save their lives. But the game shouldn't have forced that on me, it left me no choice, since I really didn't want to be the tyrant the game would obviously lead me to be. Regardless, I still saved everybody possible, got the ultimate good ending, and a right good "Huzzah for you." And boy, was it boring. It really felt just like a pat on the head, not the Kingdom saving battle it should have been.
I expected some character attachment, which I felt for nobody, not even when *MASSIVE SPOILER* you have to fight dark-Walter at the end. Not even any for my dog, it might as well have not been there, it's more like a growling metal detector that is stumped by rocks and fences. Perhaps some for Major Swift, but I had the most for Elise right at the very beginning, which I now regret (for another point I will address later.) This might have just been my hype and self involvement in the story, attempting to put myself in the Hero's place. Overall, story-wise, the game left no-impact, and did not reach the epic heights it should have. (I mean really, Theresa just goes "Well done, you saved all of Albion. +1 Cool point. See you.")
Now, onto the combat. I grew very tired of the one-button combat this time around. Fairly hypocritical, coming from a huge Fable 2 fan? Fable 2 had counter attacks, chain attacks, body part aiming, many different things which kept the combat cinematic, and entertaining. Fable 3 seemed to have no real skill to it, just the odd, rare, cinematic attack in, which I am starting to believe they only included to hype up adverts and to reel people in. I just found myself bored stiff, tapping the buttons with no real interest, as the battles provided no real difficulty.
And my deepest apologies if I slander the combat unfairly, and there was more to it than I claim, like counter attacks, chain attacks etc. But this brings up another huge irritation, which was a huge step backwards. The horrible lack of menus. I know, I know, Lionhead decided they wanted to avoid all menu's and health bars like the plague, but it was, in my opinion, a horrible move. Always having to go to the stupid statue to find out your statistics, no shop menus (Oh look, another point to bring up.), just makes the game difficult to navigate. I could go on forever about this, but I'll stop myself soon. I, for one, miss menus, miss order and being able to achieve my aims with ease, like seeing what food I may have, what furniture, etc.
Moving on, moving on. Onto people in the game. PEOPLE SUCK. THEY REALLY DO. I wish I had saved Elise, just to have somebody to marry, because there were no females in the game which I wanted to marry and have royal kiddies with. I ended up settling for somebody bearable, with a dog face, just because she wasn't incredibly and unnecessarily rude. I'm the King, I shouldn't have to settle, damn it!
(SARCASM ALERT) But! This game did get friendship absolutely spot on! I mean, if you want to be friends with somebody, you hug and tickle them until they like you a bit, then you have to do the friendship errand. You know, the friendship errand, just like in real life! I'm glad they included this, because it's very important to deliver letters before you become friends with somebody, then once you do it, you'll meet their friendship requirements. (SARCASM OVER). Really, Lionhead. "Deliver this package, and maaybe I'll be your friend." My response is, "Dear sir, please shove this package where the Sun doesn't shine. Sideways."
Finally, shops and weapons. ...Whaa? Menus made things organised and clear, but now, everything is a legendary weapon, and if you see them, you just get them, in case you need them for achievements. I'll complain about achievements too, so help me God! Every bit of clothing, every weapon, you can get half of them if you're lucky yourself. Give me a break, doll's were fun to get, it was clear and easy, now there's 50 or so weapons to squabble over on Gamespot forums. And shops? You can't see inventories very easily, I never bothered with trading things like grain, however that worked. I wasn't interested to be honest. *Buy houses. Wait.*
Okay, I'll point out some good things. It's still Fable, I suppose, I liked raising the revolution, and property management is alright I suppose. And dying clothes is a tad better. (But it will exploit you for Microsoft points if you want extra things which should have been included in the game.) But character management wise, an enormous step down. With morality, I certainly didn't notice a change! Nor do I know how to improve attractiveness. And my dog stayed the same the whole time, unlike in Fable 2. And haircuts are now a pain in the behind to find ones you might like.
Well, if you're still with me, well done to reading all that, because you'll probably be feeling a greater sense of achievement by finishing this than finishing Fable 3. It's so upsetting, that I'm recommending you to really not buy this game, as I loved the previous games so much. But I am hopelessly let down, and I think my enormous review shows just how let down I feel.
Fable, what happened to you man, you used to be cool.