After flirting with Fable 2, the day of Fallout 3 is upon us, so don't expect me to write much for a while. After work, I'm bringing my collector's edition home, and I'm going to ravage it. Or, rather, I'm hoping to be ravaged by it. As the old John Donne poem goes:
But before I get to the whole business of ignoring everyone and everything, I'd thought that I'd offer some brief thoughts on Fable 2. First, it is a fine game. Not utterly life-consuming, as it lacks a lot of detail and depth that I would require from it. So, it's Oblivion "super lite edition" within a Zelda framework.
I hate that I picked a female character, however, because by pumping up the ability that increases melee damage, I am now buffer than the Hulk -- it's utterly disgusting! I also hate how everything effects your appearance, and none if it is for the good. Seriously, none of it makes you look cool or pretty. I have these ugly, glowing blue veins all over my body and a giant birthmark that I guess is a tattoo, plus almost all food except celery makes you obese. Also, there's no armor in the game! Only clothing, which is lame.
That aside, combat is fair. It's not truly "one button combat" (X is melee, Y is ranged, B is magic), but it's nice and easy without feeling super-mashy. I've already figured out what are the most powerful attacks, but I'm not bored with it yet. It's not "reactive" like it was said to be in previews -- and in fact, animations look fairly rote -- but it's a fine system that does its job.
I just wish there was more to do and more places to go. Doing the same quests over and over again is starting to wear thin, and having everyone in town love you is bloody annoying (I would set them all on fire if I weren't a good character). The game definitely needs a large dose of new weapon and clothing types (as well as armor!), as the few selections you have can be found everywhere. It could also use a crafting system or something similar to give your weapons a real feeling of customization (the current system is very bland and seems to hurt more than help).
So, Fable 2. Good, not great. If if were more epic and had more depth, I'd love it. As it is, it feels a bit like an "Act 1" to a greater adventure. Still, it has some good ideas and a fairly polished execution, so it's something you might want to try. Lets just hope there's an expansion pack or something to flesh it out more.
Batter my heart, three-person'd God; for youKinky, no?
As yet but knock; breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
But before I get to the whole business of ignoring everyone and everything, I'd thought that I'd offer some brief thoughts on Fable 2. First, it is a fine game. Not utterly life-consuming, as it lacks a lot of detail and depth that I would require from it. So, it's Oblivion "super lite edition" within a Zelda framework.
I hate that I picked a female character, however, because by pumping up the ability that increases melee damage, I am now buffer than the Hulk -- it's utterly disgusting! I also hate how everything effects your appearance, and none if it is for the good. Seriously, none of it makes you look cool or pretty. I have these ugly, glowing blue veins all over my body and a giant birthmark that I guess is a tattoo, plus almost all food except celery makes you obese. Also, there's no armor in the game! Only clothing, which is lame.
That aside, combat is fair. It's not truly "one button combat" (X is melee, Y is ranged, B is magic), but it's nice and easy without feeling super-mashy. I've already figured out what are the most powerful attacks, but I'm not bored with it yet. It's not "reactive" like it was said to be in previews -- and in fact, animations look fairly rote -- but it's a fine system that does its job.
I just wish there was more to do and more places to go. Doing the same quests over and over again is starting to wear thin, and having everyone in town love you is bloody annoying (I would set them all on fire if I weren't a good character). The game definitely needs a large dose of new weapon and clothing types (as well as armor!), as the few selections you have can be found everywhere. It could also use a crafting system or something similar to give your weapons a real feeling of customization (the current system is very bland and seems to hurt more than help).
So, Fable 2. Good, not great. If if were more epic and had more depth, I'd love it. As it is, it feels a bit like an "Act 1" to a greater adventure. Still, it has some good ideas and a fairly polished execution, so it's something you might want to try. Lets just hope there's an expansion pack or something to flesh it out more.
