LordGrimm
The Forever Man
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2004
- Messages
- 41
- Reaction score
- 0
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- Age
- 47
- Location
- Denton, TX.
- Website
- www.nextgengamers.com
Fable First Impressions
The basis by which you percieve RPGs is really what will determine whether or not this is the greatest game in the land.
Here's some of my impressions:
Similar to Grego's XBN Fortune Telling Vision, Fable starts out similar to a life simulator. You'll run around as a small boy, kicking chickens and generally making a nuisance of yourself (as the viewpoint of many townspeople). You're given a simple errand - raise some money for your sister's birthday. Your father being the moral beacon that he is, offers you gold for every good deed you do. Childhood is truly fastpaced, because after no more than an hour (probably less) the plot thickens, and you join the Heroes Guild, awaiting training by a crotchety old man.
Entering into pre-teen/teenager years introduces very little in the way of entertaining quests, as it is still a training sequence. You'll learn the ways of the sword, bow, and will whilst taking on the occasional apple search or pigeon killing. Don't bother entering the pub, as they'll laugh you out of it.
It's gets a little more interesting during the final leg of your training, but ultimately, it's when you accept your first Hero Quest that the "challenges" rise to some degree. However, nothing is really that difficult, so far. The narrator even walks you through your first boss, the Wasp Queen.
The game holds your hand to some extent, as the narrator is always by your side, yelling out the good and bad you do (similar to Bastula in KOTOR), not too mention telling you when your health is critical. Come to think of it, the narrator reminds me of the "voice" of Gauntlet. Elf Sorceress needs health badly.
As you roam farther and farther away from the Heroes Guild, the world gets much more inviting and dark and your choice of weapons gets more appealing. Too bad I can't afford most of it yet! Gold really is dependent on your quest fulfillments, and to accomplish that you need renown. Many of the quests require a certain amount of renown, so early on you'll need to spread your heroics by showing off your prizes. Consider showing off the Queen Wasp Head and Whisper's Brooch.
A life simulator RPG indeed, while there will be heroic quests for your warrior to be, it's often the simple tasks that bring you popularity. Consider helping a baker, the occasional guard, or anyone that passes your fancy.
Combat is actually pretty fun, especially considering it is primarily pressing the "X" button in tangent with the analog stick. It very much reminds me of Sudeki's combat style, as the main character even rolls around to dodge attacks, though I sincerely hope that evolves quickly.
The is the first game I can remember where blocking is a necessary aspect of survival. Sure, you can survive the general bandit and guard fodder by hacking, slashing, and flourishing your way through, but that just won't work against more skilled heroes/villains. Block and attack, roll (get behind them if possible) and attack some more. Good strategy! Will power doesn't seem to serve much purpose one on one, though breaking down the occasional mob with a few well placed arrows or lightning strikes never hurts. I can't wait to try out Assassin's Rush, Fireball, and Force Push (Star Wars anyone?).
The basis by which you percieve RPGs is really what will determine whether or not this is the greatest game in the land.
Here's some of my impressions:
Similar to Grego's XBN Fortune Telling Vision, Fable starts out similar to a life simulator. You'll run around as a small boy, kicking chickens and generally making a nuisance of yourself (as the viewpoint of many townspeople). You're given a simple errand - raise some money for your sister's birthday. Your father being the moral beacon that he is, offers you gold for every good deed you do. Childhood is truly fastpaced, because after no more than an hour (probably less) the plot thickens, and you join the Heroes Guild, awaiting training by a crotchety old man.
Your first competitor turns out to be your room-mate.
Entering into pre-teen/teenager years introduces very little in the way of entertaining quests, as it is still a training sequence. You'll learn the ways of the sword, bow, and will whilst taking on the occasional apple search or pigeon killing. Don't bother entering the pub, as they'll laugh you out of it.
It's gets a little more interesting during the final leg of your training, but ultimately, it's when you accept your first Hero Quest that the "challenges" rise to some degree. However, nothing is really that difficult, so far. The narrator even walks you through your first boss, the Wasp Queen.
The game holds your hand to some extent, as the narrator is always by your side, yelling out the good and bad you do (similar to Bastula in KOTOR), not too mention telling you when your health is critical. Come to think of it, the narrator reminds me of the "voice" of Gauntlet. Elf Sorceress needs health badly.
As you roam farther and farther away from the Heroes Guild, the world gets much more inviting and dark and your choice of weapons gets more appealing. Too bad I can't afford most of it yet! Gold really is dependent on your quest fulfillments, and to accomplish that you need renown. Many of the quests require a certain amount of renown, so early on you'll need to spread your heroics by showing off your prizes. Consider showing off the Queen Wasp Head and Whisper's Brooch.
A life simulator RPG indeed, while there will be heroic quests for your warrior to be, it's often the simple tasks that bring you popularity. Consider helping a baker, the occasional guard, or anyone that passes your fancy.
Odd that many of the heroic quests offer more renown and gold by taking the bad guy's side. Is there something more the that orchard that the Bandits desired three chests?
Combat is actually pretty fun, especially considering it is primarily pressing the "X" button in tangent with the analog stick. It very much reminds me of Sudeki's combat style, as the main character even rolls around to dodge attacks, though I sincerely hope that evolves quickly.
The is the first game I can remember where blocking is a necessary aspect of survival. Sure, you can survive the general bandit and guard fodder by hacking, slashing, and flourishing your way through, but that just won't work against more skilled heroes/villains. Block and attack, roll (get behind them if possible) and attack some more. Good strategy! Will power doesn't seem to serve much purpose one on one, though breaking down the occasional mob with a few well placed arrows or lightning strikes never hurts. I can't wait to try out Assassin's Rush, Fireball, and Force Push (Star Wars anyone?).
