The final new feature in Fable Anniversary (besides achievements) is that of SmartGlass, something that is weighing heavier and heavier in overall experience these days. As admitted by Lead Designer Ted Timmins, it was basically implemented here as way to test the technology’s capabilities for future implementations. Thanks to that, there are actually a few interesting features that the app offers. Unsurprisingly, it’s basically an interactive map, but they’ve worked with Prima to also provide the locations of key items and characters (without going into too much detail). While this may seem a bit like cheating at first, it’s helpful enough only to ensure that you won’t get lost and makes it so you won’t result to using a full-blown strategy guide.
The first thing to know about Fable 3 is that it’s pure and simple fun. Traveling through the land of Albion is an enjoyable experience, interacting with the locals, completing quests, battling monsters and saving the day. The second thing to know is that Fable 3 is flawed in some key areas which prevents it from being an elite g
Of course, it’s no secret that Fable is a great game, so the most important aspects of this release is if it’s aged well (read above) and the quality of the port. Simply put, the result is leaps and bounds above the original. Fidelity, special effects and lighting have all improved and it’s clear to see the differences in almost every area. Upgrades to characters and building exteriors are the most noticeable, with faces seeming more realistic and less pixelated and buildings revealing never-before-seen nuances. Even trees in the backgrounds and leaves on the pathways of villages are more detailed. Everything has a smooth look which gives it a nice overall aesthetic comparable to other Xbox 360 Adventure games updates. The only flaw in the new look is that sometimes things can be a bit too smoothed over and come across a little smeary. Sometimes the sharp edges of the original helped to keep objects separated, something that can sometimes be a problem here. The other continually noticeable boost is the lighting, with plenty of new shadow effects and nuances between different lighting situations, where as before things were basically light or dark. Overall, while it’s not perfect and hampered by the fact that practically every Xbox 360 game now looks long in the tooth, it’s certainly the preferable way to experience the game — nostalgia or not.
The Super Smash Bros. series has been huge for Nintendo, and the last installment, Brawl was no exception, selling over 10 million units worldwide since its launch. A new Smash Bros. traditionally only launches once per console generation, and that’s why it’s easy to assume that the beloved franchise will follow suit with Super Smash Bros. 4 on Nintendo’s new console. Rumors of a possible Super Smash Bros. 4 reveal during Nintendo’s E3 conference aren’t exactly new, but a lot of self-proclaimed insiders are stating that we’ll get an official confirmation and more info on the next Smash Bros. in the next couple of we
There’s something odd about an HD port built for a console which itself has games that are being ported to a superior console. Let’s reflect on Fable Anniversary for a second: it’s a 2014 Xbox 360 remake of an Xbox game from 2004. We’re in an age where people are demanding for spectacular looking games like Grand Theft Auto V and The Last of Us to be ported to Xbox One and PS4, and this is an Xbox 360 port of an original Xbox game. As such, judging it is fairly hard to do after spending countless hours over the past few months scrutinizing next-gen ports like Tomb Raider, Madden 25 and Call of Duty: Ghosts, when Fable Anniversary would be a resounding success if it matched the 360 quality of any of them. Still, while a remake of Fable might have been better suited for release before Fable II or as a three-pack with its sequels on Xbox One before Fable IV (please?), the sheer fact that Lionhead and Microsoft care to do it at all is great fan service for players who have had to deal with an antiquated game — classic as it may be.
However, in the last few months, rumors have been swirling about a long-awaited return to form for the oddball, extremely British franchise. While no official announcement has been made, there are rumblings all over the internet about a new Fable being in development. Whether this will officially be Fable 4 , a reboot, a remake, or some kind of spin-off, is all unclear. What I’ve put together is a list of the wishes that have been flying around over the last half year. Since the cancellation of Fable: Legends , a lot of these rumors have gone into overdr
Gameplay itself is a nice blend of action elements with those traditional to an RPG. On the offense, a melee weapon, long range weapon and magical will powers are always available, each assigned to a different face button. For defense, numerous gear combinations are available to ensure you’ll always be protected in the heat of battle. Plus you can block and roll. Enemies tend to rush you and offer quite a challenge for those unfamiliar with the proper strategies. Grinding isn’t a common occurrence, but going into battle well stocked with items is always necessary. While it’s not the deepest system, it’s still arguably the best one in the Fable series and remains enjoyable today.