Fable: The Lost Chapters

"A good, simple, action RPG experience."

Introduction
I must start by covering the basic. Many people were geared up to get what was hailed as one of the most innovative games of the generation, with producer Peter Molyneux promising a game that would blow every other of its type out of the water. Well, he didn't quite achieve this. While a good game, the failure to deliver on promises has left us with what feels like a shell of the promised game. It isn't really anything unique, but Fable definitely has its own, distinct flavor. If you are looking for an older game to pick up, this is it, with an easy to follow plot, and simple gameplay, you can't go wrong.

Gameplay
Fable: The Lost Chapters is, essentially, Fable with a few extra goodies. So, the gameplay remains largely the same. You control a generic hero, beginning with his childhood, and moving on to training at the Heroes Guild outside the main town of Bowerstone. This is where you pick up the basics of combat, and magic use. Now, when I say basic, I mean basic. Most fights consist of pressing 'X' until the bad thing goes away. Of course, if you use magic, it has the complexity of adding in the left trigger to use your spells. Occasionaly, you may need to use 'Y' to either block, or roll around in the dirt. If you are really lucky, after several consecutive hits, you may get to use a flourish, accomplished by pressing 'B'. This knocks the enemy back, and does a wee bit more damage, but since they are now on the ground, you can stab them for an instant death.

Other than the generic combat, the other normal control are there. Running around a set world, on set paths, doing quests for people you don't know. However, using the d-pad, you can perform many actions that can change what a NPC thinks of you, such as the 'Vulgar Thrust', or even just swearing at them.

The game also features a "Good vs. Evil" meter. The more good points you get, the more 'angelic' you become, with blond hair, blue eyes, and pretty little butterflies to hang around your new halo. With bad points, you get black eyes, and horns which cause a majorly receeding hairline. There is also a scariness and attractiveness scale. Both of these determine how people react to your presence, so if you are fully evil and scary, with dark platemail armor, don't expect the little kiddies to play tag with you.

The romance side of the game, while not extensive, is a nice touch. Basically, you woo the female, or male of your choice in any town, give them gifts, be nice to them, and eventually get married, but only if you own a house. Of course, being a video game, polygamy is encouraged.

It comes with a fairly customisable levelling system, with many different options to take to make your character unique. Many spells to choose from, and several physical combat choices. However, it is very easy to get the experience needed to max out most of the skills. The clothing and armour customisation is nice, but face it, you just want to wear the most expensive stuff.
Gameplay: 9/10

Graphics
Take it from Lionhead, apparently, bloom makes any game look great. What I mean by this is, they made it so that everything is bright and shiny, and generally looks nicer. While it is toned down from the original Fable (now you won't blind your wife the second you begin 'making love'), it is still considerable. The character models resemble humans, and are a lot smoother than many games, even being able to walk around fairly naturally, something Morrowind couldn't quite pull off. You will notice that your character, and a few other key characters in the game are far more detailed than everyone else. In fact, this detail is taken to the next level on your character.

Fable employs a scarring system. While some see it as badass to be covered in scars, some don't however. Even in full armour, you can get a lovely, giant gash across your back. It is the facial scarring that can become the most annoying however, especially if you get hit fairly often. However, the cool scars you acquire all fade with age. Yes, you age, but stop at 65, or something close. The same goes for tattoos, which become dark blurs of skin with age.

The weapons and armour look fine, and you generally aren't close enough to care anyway. Enemies are alright, but very generic, and this goes for most NPCs anyway. Bandits have a bad habit of looking the same, even with a massive 5 different peices of clothing to choose from.
Graphics: 8/10

Story
The story, while not anything new or exciting, is still minorly engaging. At the beginning of the game, you are torn away from your family, and left to grow up in the Heroes guild. Of course, you do generic quests on your path to discover your family, apart from your dead father. It is hard to say much more without spoiling it, but The Lost Chapters adds quite a bit to the endgame, adding yet another plot twist, and new enemies, plus, another final boss fight.

It is a very easy to follow plot, with nothing too strenuous on the brain. Nothing that will blow you away, but it does hold one or two suprises, and there are one or two decisions you must make throughout the game that can completely change your experience. Without giving it away, once you get to the end of the arena, be sure you make the right choice. If you don't it can haunt the rest of that playthrough. Unfortunately, a very short game, easily done in a day if you focus on the story, and the story only.
Story: 6/10

Sound
The sound is great, with decent voice acting across the board. Combat sounds are sufficient, and the ambient sounds are quite the addition. Beasts all have their own fearsome roar to scare you with, from the chattering of nymphs, to teh grunts of trolls, and snarls of balverines. Unfortunately, Jack of Blades, who had an impressive, deep, ominous voice in Fable, now has a far lighter, more high pitched voice. While it still fits his character, the original voice is something that must be experienced. Yet again, nothing exceptional. A nice few references, such as one particular line if you attack a guard.

The sound does enough to keep the game up there with the rest, but the main theme seems mighty familiar, and slightly generic.
Sound: 8/10

Replayability
Fun enough to just pick up and play around on for a few hours, even if you start a new game to try out your latest smart idea for a new character build. I still find time to give it a go every now and then.
Replayability: 8/10

Rent or Buy?
If you wish to beat the story, and story only, rent it. You can beat it in a day. Otherwise, it is a worthy buy. The game is good, coming in above average, but it is not the be all and end all it was made out to be.

Overall Score: 8/10 (not an average)

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/14/07

Game Release: Fable: The Lost Chapters (Platinum Hits) (US, 10/18/05)