Fable III
A revolution and monarchy await in Albion.
Fable III is a 2010 action role-playing video game developed by Lionhead Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. The third game in the Fable series, it follows the player character's struggle to overthrow the King of Albion and later defend the kingdom from a great evil. The game features voice acting by a notable cast including Ben Kingsley, Stephen Fry, and Simon Pegg.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Lionhead Studios
- Publisher
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Producer
- Jeremie Texier
- Designer
- Peter Molyneux; Josh Atkins
- Programmer
- Guillaume Portes; Simon Carter
- Artist
- John McCormack; Simon Jaques
- Writer
- Mark Llabres Hill
- Composer
- Russell Shaw
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The player controls the Royal Hero on a quest to usurp the monarch and later manage the kingdom. Decisions made during the main story affect the player's standing among subjects and have future consequences. A morality system divides actions as good or evil, with good actions involving generosity and kindness, and evil actions representing selfishness and cruelty. Moral choices are prompted by dialogue branches, but side quests and crimes like robbery or murder also influence standing. Rewards such as guild seals and gifts are earned based on public perception. Combat uses three attack methods: melee, ranged, and magic. The player can customize weapons, such as choosing a sword or hammer, and combine two types of spells. Charged attacks unleash powerful flourishes but leave the player stationary. Critical hits trigger unique kill animations based on weapon and enemy type. Weapons change shape and design according to the player's actions. A pet dog accompanies the Royal Hero, can be named, and assists by guiding to treasure, pointing out secrets, growling at enemies, and ripping out throats of downed foes. Instead of a pause menu, the Sanctuary hub allows the player to access weapons, costumes, achievements, save files, system settings, a map for fast travel, quests, and property management.
Synopsis
Fable III is set in Albion 50 years after Fable II, where the Hero of Bowerstone became ruler and forged a new kingdom with Bowerstone as its capital. The kingdom has entered an industrial age with factories and large-scale resource gathering. The game also includes the desert region of Aurora, struggling after a devastating event. The youngest child of the Hero of Bowerstone, the Royal Hero, lives in the palace with their older brother King Logan. After overhearing rumors of Logan's tyranny, including executing a citizen for a minor crime, the Royal Hero sees their love interest trying to stop Logan from killing protesting citizens. The Royal Hero must choose to sacrifice either the group or their love interest. After the decision, mentor Sir Walter Beck advises escape to plot Logan's downfall. Joined by butler Jasper, they flee through a hidden passage into the former king's hidden dimension. The Royal Hero meets Theresa, the Seeress of the Spire, who foresees them becoming ruler and saving Albion. Guided by Theresa and Walter, the hero seeks allies: Sabine of the Dwellers, soldiers Major Swift and Ben Finn, and Page of the Bowerstone Resistance. Logan captures and executes Swift for treason.
Development
Peter Molyneux stated at Gamescom that Fable III took a different theme, believing the third game in a series must offer more than a new story and locations. In an interview with Official Xbox Magazine, Molyneux said Fable risked becoming generic with a formula where the player starts weak, kills the bad guy, and credits roll. He asked why games end at the most exciting bit, forming the basis for Fable III where the player overthrows the tyrant and becomes ruler, with consequences affecting the entire country. Molyneux hinted at drawbacks to leaving the castle too often. He said the inspiration for Fable III was rebels and monarchs, both modern and historic, compared to folklore for Fable and King Arthur and Robin Hood for Fable II. New takes on traditional concepts include morphing weapons that change based on actions and alignment—killing skeletons makes a weapon appear made of bones, killing innocents makes it drip blood. Weapons level throughout the game. The Extreme Emote system lets the Hero show demonic or angelic wings when angered.
Marketing
Before Gamescom 2009, images of revolutionaries and quotations appeared on Lionhead's website. At Gamescom, Peter Molyneux announced Fable III with walls decorated with medieval shields and banners. In August 2010, Lionhead announced a companion game, later revealed on 28 September as the smartphone application Kingmaker. Players mark real-world locations for the Royals or Rebels factions to earn power-ups and gold for Fable III. The app was announced for the United Kingdom and Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden. Microsoft announced downloadable content including dyes, hairstyles, and new quests. The Xbox 360 standard and limited edition released on 29 October 2010; the PC version in May 2011. Preorders in participating stores received codes for a special weapon, tattoos, and a villager transfer. The Standard Edition includes the game disk, manual, and plastic casing. Molyneux said Fable III would be released in episodes on Xbox Live Marketplace after retail, with the first episode free. The PC version had retail and downloadable releases via Games for Windows Live. The Limited Collector's Edition includes a new quest, playing cards, a Guild Seal Coin, a Boxer dog breed, two outfits, a faux book, and a new region with a family and weapon. All PC Standard Editions include the Limited Collector's Edition content for free. A limited edition wireless controller released on 5 October 2010 included a code for a unique tattoo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Fable III?
Fable III was designed by Peter Molyneux and Josh Atkins.
Who composed the music for Fable III?
The music for Fable III was composed by Russell Shaw.
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