Fable III

My first brush with Fable was a hazy memory from the mid-2000s, playing it off one of those janky multi-game DVDs. Honestly, years melted away, and only a couple of key plot twists really lingered. I keep thinking I should dig it up sometime and give it a proper, nostalgic replay.

Fable III, when it finally staggered onto PC in ’11, just felt…off. The gameplay felt oddly simplified, almost patronizing. And that bizarre, hub-style menu with all the in-your-face customization options? A total immersion-breaker. I poked around for a bit back then, had my virtual dog sniff out a few buried treasures, and then happily consigned the game to the dusty shelf of forgotten titles for ages. The gaming landscape was just overflowing with better, tougher, more rewarding action RPGs demanding my attention. Ironically, I even bailed on Witcher 2 back in ’11 too, abandoning it for a good four years! But, fresh off finally conquering Fable II, I figured, what the heck, let’s dust off the old Fable III disc and see if it can redeem itself.

Fable III is an interesting action role-playing game created by Lionhead Studios and released with the support of Microsoft Game Studios. The game first became available to Xbox 360 owners on October 26, 2010, allowing them to immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere of the world of Albion. PC users, in turn, waited for the release a little later: on May 17, 2011, the game was released in North America, and the European premiere took place on May 19 of the same year.

A nice addition for PC gamers was the package, including content from the Limited Collector’s Edition, distributed free of charge, which made the edition especially valuable. However, if you are trying to complete the game, it is important to know: the story add-ons Understone Quest Pack and Traitor’s Keep were distributed separately and required downloading through the now obsolete Games for Windows LIVE service.

Fable III marks a significant evolution of the series: for the first time in the franchise’s history, players were able to hear the voice of their customizable character, bringing a whole new level of emotional immersion to the narrative and gameplay.

Fable III Free Steam Account

When Fable III debuted at Gamescom, Peter Molyneux emphasized its distinct theme. He argued that crafting a compelling third installment is a real tightrope walk. “If all the core rules are already established, and all you’re offering is essentially a new story sprinkled with a few new locations, people’s interest is inevitably going to start to wane, isn’t it?” He confided to “OXM UK” that Fable was in danger of becoming just another predictable cliché: the weakling hero rises, inevitably meets a formidable baddie, and then experiences blissful contentment after the villain’s ultimate demise. It’s a well-worn path. Believing that this formula unfortunately pervades far too many games, he pointedly asked why they always seem to “end right at what is potentially the most gripping and fascinating moment?” This nagging question became the primary fuel for Fable III’s core concept, where players get the chance to not only topple a tyrant from their lofty throne, but then step up and assume the mantle of ruler themselves. He stated that it’s precisely when you are the ruler that the far-reaching fallout of “exactly who you are ultimately going to be – whether you choose to be good, or perhaps lean towards evil, whether you are harsh and unforgiving, or kind and benevolent” – stops being a solely personal matter and begins to dramatically impact the entire nation and its populace.

What really grabs you about history is when you step back and think, ‘My goodness, the folks who governed our country not so long ago were astonishingly imaginative—albeit in a deeply disturbing way—regarding how they wielded their power, abused it, and deployed it for all sorts of nefarious purposes.’ Take Henry VIII as a prime example; just consider a few of the absolutely wild things this guy got up to. Instead of simply acknowledging, ‘Hey, this marriage isn’t exactly working out so well,’ he’d just casually decide to have his wives executed. And not only did he do that, but he also went ahead and completely dismantled the existing religion and replaced it with a brand-new, custom-made one, primarily to facilitate his marital… adjustments. Oh, and let’s not forget that he also helped himself to a cool five percent of all national tax revenue—which, translated to today’s money, would be billions upon billions of pounds—and proceeded to squander it on his own personal wine cellar, all while vast swathes of the population were simultaneously battling starvation and succumbing to the plague. Talk about priorities, right?

Look, this dude wasn’t exactly Mr. Congeniality, and just rattling off his actions makes him sound downright villainous. But does the story actually portray him as some mustache-twirling evildoer? Nah, not really. He comes across more as a playful, if somewhat reckless, character – maybe a tad too enthusiastic about his… shall we say, extensive social life involving six women. It’s a wildly unconventional source of inspiration, granted, but we’re hoping it ignites that same vibrant, dare-I-say unhinged, energy in you as you take the reins of power. After all, who wants a boring ruler?”

King Logan

Regarding the inspirations behind Fable III, Molyneux commented, “If Fable I was fueled by folklore, and Fable II by the legends of Arthur and Robin Hood, then Fable III is firmly rooted in the themes of rebels and monarchs – both those ripped from the history books and those echoing in modern times. We wanted to explore the complexities of leadership and rebellion.

Plot

Fable III takes us half a century after the events of Fable II. Albion is now in the throes of the Industrial Revolution, a time of great change but also of great trials. The hero of the past, the King, has passed away, leaving the throne to his son, Logan. This new ruler, brilliantly voiced by Michael Fassbender himself (yes, that one!), turns out to be not a blessing, but a curse.

Logan, the older brother of the protagonist, rules with ruthless coldness. His reign is an era of fear: monstrous taxes strangle the people, the streets have become dens of crime due to the complete collapse of law and order, and the rights of ordinary people are trampled without a shadow of a doubt. Albion is a dark, oppressed kingdom where hope seems lost… if not for the bright sparks of talent: the game features the voices of such stars as the inimitable Simon Pegg and other outstanding actors, bringing this better world to life.

You are the youngest heir to the royal line, a prince or princess raised within the walls of a magnificent castle, but destined from birth for a destiny beyond the lap of courtly luxury. When tensions with Logan escalate into open hostility, you decide to make a desperate escape. Together with your cheerful mentor, Sir Walter Beck, and your loyal servant Jasper, you leave the luxurious dungeon to begin a dangerous journey.

Your destiny is to unite the disparate forces of resistance and spark a revolution that could shake the foundations of Albion. You will face severe trials on your journey to overthrow the cruel king, for winning the people’s trust requires not only courage, but also sincerity of heart. Under the rule of a despot, every province is gripped by fear, and therefore, gaining the support of the people will not be easy. To inspire hope and fight back among the downtrodden, you must collect Guild Seals, symbols of recognition for your exploits. They can be earned through heroic deeds, dangerous missions, heartfelt conversations with the common people, and acts of mercy. Each Seal is a testament to your determination to change their fate when your time to rule comes.

Encompassing the journey of a single person and its reverberations across an entire population or a specific social class nestled within it. Once a player triumphantly seizes control of the crown, they stand at a critical crossroads, facing a profound moral and strategic dilemma: will they honor the sacred promises that propelled them to their lofty position of power, or will they cynically disregard them, casting aside the very foundation upon which their authority rests? As the insightful Peter Molyneux astutely observed, ‘The most peculiar and enduring aspect of leadership is the uncanny common thread that has consistently run through the tapestry of human civilization for centuries, transcending cultural boundaries and political ideologies. Whether it’s seasoned politicians skillfully navigating the corridors of power, passionate insurgents bravely challenging the established order, or ruthless juntas seizing control through force, they all invariably make promises – grand pronouncements and solemn vows that are, far too often, conveniently forgotten or outright broken once the reins of power are firmly in their grasp. We want to make it abundantly clear that as you painstakingly build your power base as a rebel, you will inevitably encounter numerous opportunities to make compelling promises, carefully crafted to sway public opinion and garner greater influence. Subsequently, once you ascend to the coveted role of leader, the momentous option to faithfully uphold those promises, to transform words into tangible actions, will carry profound and far-reaching repercussions, irrevocably shaping the destiny of your kingdom and the lives of your subjects.

Combat system

The gameplay loop strongly echoes third-person action RPGs, especially familiar from the second game. It’s largely about aggressively clicking through hordes of enemies in a hack-and-slash manner, but holding down the strong attack button unleashes significantly more damage, often showcasing a stylish, close-camera finishing move for added impact.

The bestiary of enemies is fairly typical for fantasy settings. You’ll encounter everything from diminutive, hobbit-like dwarves all the way to shadowy assassins and ferocious werewolves. Trolls seem to have vanished entirely, perhaps a casualty of rapid industrialization. The number of mini-boss encounters has increased noticeably, and some of them even actively cast spells during combat, adding a new layer of challenge.

You’re free to loose crossbow bolts, squeeze off pistol rounds, and unleash crackling lightning spells – hold them down to amplify the area blast for maximum carnage! Blocking is present, yet feels almost like an afterthought, a safety net rarely needed. Truth be told, I only bit the dust once in this segment, and that was late in the game, overwhelmed by a relentless swarm of assassin gals. Simply smashing foes with weighty, earth-shattering blows often proves the more satisfying and efficient approach, though it’s worth noting that fewer bottomless pits exist now, and tragically, foes lack a dedicated fall-down-a-hole animation. Our hero, thankfully, avoids the sting of true, permanent death, merely blacking out for a few agonizing seconds, shedding a portion of hard-earned XP as punishment for their momentary lapse.

Game world

Since I knew the second game, the locations felt familiar, and it’s just 50 years later story-wise. Fresh areas, such as desert Aurora, mirrored The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind’s design, and strangely, a dash of Beyond Good & Evil. These segments stood out as favorites.

The central narrative finally introduces a winter locale, a refreshing change of pace. Wrapping up in roughly 7-8 hours, it took me three mornings to complete. By the second morning, I stumbled upon what felt like a “pseudo-ending”. Honestly, I wouldn’t have been shocked if it ended abruptly there.

The side quests in the game generally adhere to the classic canons of the genre, but one of them stands out from the rest. We are talking about a strange board game, set in an eccentric town, where the locals – cartoonish munchkins – put on a real show. The main character is magically reduced, allowing him to find himself inside this bizarre performance. Everything that happens is accompanied by sarcastic and funny remarks from players who regularly violate game conventions. This immediately evokes associations with the crazy stories of Varric from Dragon Age 2, where everything is built on improvisation and narrative liberty.

As for the main plot, its progress still requires systematic efforts, but this time the tasks seem less burdensome compared to the second part. The player can still be distracted by carefree entertainment – for example, arrange dances with every resident of the village he meets. For such antics, reputation spheres are awarded, which are later necessary for plot progression. This mechanic seems both cute and slightly absurd, but it is precisely such details that give the game a special charm.

Another interesting element was the fact that the developers provided the opportunity to abandon the linear leveling system: collected spheres can be saved for a more important occasion. One of the early quests requires a cunning masquerade: you need to dress up as a sleeping pirate, glue on a ridiculous mustache and a temporary tattoo in order to successfully infiltrate the bandits’ camp and defeat the local leader. The situation acquired a particularly comical tone, given that my character is a woman, and her grotesque disguise provoked a number of absurdly funny scenes.

It’s a shame that the scene of changing clothes at the masquerade ball ended so quickly – it seemed to have much more dramatic and visual potential.

However, it is worth giving credit to the developers: they, fortunately, did not go down the path of reusing old locations – and this is an undoubted plus. The game world is represented by many spacious and detailed areas, in which it is pleasant to get lost, exploring every corner. However, in the second half of the gameplay, a decline in creativity is felt – the structure of the quests becomes monotonous. Most often, the player has to either mechanically select dialogue lines, or consistently clear areas of enemies, and all this begins to resemble a routine, devoid of the previous inspiration.

Allies

Forging alliances requires completing character-specific quests, often preceded by boosting your standing with them. You’ll meet Sabine, chieftain of the “Free Folk,” a nomadic tribe inhabiting the rugged mountains. Then there are Major Swift and Captain Benjamin (Ben) Finn, key figures within the royal army. One memorable quest features defending a fortified garrison against relentless waves of zombies, reminiscent of tower defense games, culminating in an epic boss encounter.

Further along your journey, you’ll encounter Paige, the charismatic leader of the Bowerstone rebels, locked in a struggle for freedom. You will also meet Kalin, the respected leader of the Aurora people, who reside in the harsh desert lands far across the vast ocean. In seeking Kalin’s crucial support, our hero uncovers a pivotal plot revelation, a significant twist I wouldn’t dare spoil for those yet to experience the game’s unfolding narrative firsthand.

The sovereign of Albion now faces a defining moral quandary: will they keep faith with the promises made to their devoted supporters, or will they forsake those vows for selfish enrichment and power?

Introducing a compelling new ‘Royal Decree’ mechanic, reminiscent of the judgment system found in Dragon Age Inquisition, adds significant weight to the player’s decisions. Once crowned as the ruler of Albion, players are entrusted with weighty responsibilities, and must carefully consider the ramifications of each choice. This involves presiding over proposals that present two distinct paths: one that prioritizes the well-being of the citizenry, though at the expense of the royal treasury (enacted by holding the ‘A’ button on the gamepad), or an alternative that bolsters the crown’s financial reserves, albeit at the cost of popular support and goodwill among the people (achieved by holding the ‘X’ button). This pivotal mechanic is an integral and exclusive component of the main storyline, shaping the very destiny of Albion.

The perks of a power-hungry ruler? A treasury overflowing, a glittering hoard of gold that ebbs and flows with your personal wealth. But playing the saint? Prepare to personally replenish those coffers, making the virtuous path a far steeper climb than before. Expanding the scope of justice, you’re not just judging nobles; you’re grappling with the grim realities of crime, the sting of poverty, and the exploitation of child labor, all extending far beyond the gilded halls of the throne room. You wield power over taxes, the allocation of the kingdom’s budget, and even the laws governing alcohol consumption, directly shaping the populace’s perception of the crown and your reign. And just like your character’s moral compass dictates their actions, your very appearance morphs, becoming either radiantly beautiful or repulsively grotesque, a mirror reflecting your good or evil deeds. I stumbled across a forum post claiming the “good” route demands some serious gold grinding, a tedious chore I wasn’t keen on, so I gleefully embraced the easy road to infamy!

Eliminating the daily cap on alcohol purchases would predictably lead to a noticeable surge in public drunkenness cases, whereas a complete prohibition would unfortunately prevent citizens from experiencing any alcoholic beverages whatsoever.

Shelter

Fable III introduces the Sanctuary, a swanky upgrade replacing the mundane pause screen (except when chatting – Esc still works there!). Jasper, the Hero’s wonderfully old and steadfast butler, lords over this personal domain. He probably polishes the furniture, too.

Dominating the Sanctuary is the Map, a nostalgic nod to Fable I’s cartography, but souped-up with snazzy features. Forget hoofing it! Heroes teleport to locales, juggle quests like a circus performer, and pinpoint objectives with delightful ease using this map. It’s practically magic!

Behold, the Dressing Room! Within these hallowed walls reside the Hero’s sartorial treasures: dazzling clothes, edgy tattoos, magnificent beards, and a plethora of makeup styles. Fancy a wardrobe remix? Outfits can be recolored here (unlock that Road to Rule chest first, adventurer!), and your most killer looks are immortalized on mannequins. Strike a pose!

The gates of the Armory are wide open: enter and immerse yourself in a world of truly mesmerizing artifacts. Here, you will find dazzlingly glittering blades, massive hammers made for titans, exquisite handcrafted pistols and rifles with the power of a hurricane. Among the display cases, under the protection of tempered glass, are legendary enchanted gloves, guarded by magic and time.

The Hall of Triumph awaits its hero: look – every corner of this space sings of your exploits. On pedestals are trophies won in fierce battles. On the walls are testimonies of your achievements, carved in the stone of glory. And at the far wall, like an altar of prosperity, a glittering mountain of gold rises – a visual embodiment of your efforts and victories.

Conclusion

Honestly, the plot in this installment really shines; it’s well-crafted and throws in a couple of nail-biting cliffhangers that genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself enjoying this game significantly more than the second one – it felt like a real step up. I’d definitely say it’s worth playing, even by today’s standards. It holds up surprisingly well and earns a solid 7.5 out of 10 in my book.

What’s kind of amusing is that a significant chunk of the negative reviews for Fable III seemed to originate from the most dedicated fans. They were particularly vocal about the persistent glitches that, frustratingly, never got addressed in any of the patches. Others took issue with the somewhat bizarre way the hero’s child is generated, seemingly at random, based on the geographical location of the parents at the time. It highlights a slightly awkward game design quirk in Fable III, where the apparent ethnicity of the biological children doesn’t consistently align with that of the player character or their chosen spouse, which can be a bit immersion-breaking.

Fable III

To run Fable III without crashes, your computer will need at least 2 GB of RAM and at least 12 GB of free space on the hard drive. The entry-level graphics card that can support the game is the GeForce 7600 GT, but for a comfortable and more stable gaming process, it is recommended to use a more powerful model, for example, the GeForce GTX 260. Regarding the central processor, the minimum configuration is the Intel Core 2 Duo E4400. Increasing the graphics will give full performance in terms of gameplay; the optimal choice would be a processor no lower than the Core 2 Duo E6850.

How to play Fable III for free on Steam via VpeSports

Want to plunge into a grand adventure, where every decision you make changes the course of history? Then Fable III is exactly what you need! One game, many choices, the fate of an entire kingdom in your hands. And great news: now you can begin your ascent to the throne absolutely free!

On the VpeSports website, you can get a free Steam account with the Fable III game – and it really works. It’s simple: quick registration, then go to the free Steam games section and search for Fable III in the list. Next – a download button and detailed step-by-step instructions, so that in a few minutes you can already begin the journey from a simple hero to a real ruler.

If you are captivated by this world of Albion (and it definitely will be – because here morality, politics and magic are intertwined into one), do not forget to leave a review. This will help others make a choice, and you will receive a nice bonus: after moderation of the comment, you will receive a login and password by email. Didn’t work the first time? Just change the text a little and try again.

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