I'm a long time fan of the series, starting back with the original. I really like 2 but I hated 3. So far, Anniversary is exactly what expected, and IT IS GLORIOUS!
Except for one problem. In my 2 hour playing session, the game froze 3 times. Twice I restarted the console, but on the third time I called it a night. If this problem persists, it will be too frustrating to play.
I'll edit my review to be 5 stars if this issue is resolved for me at any point. Other than the freezing, I recommend this to anyone who loved the original Fable. I never got to play TLC, so I'm looking forward to finally playing that, too.
Edit 1, Feb. 5, 2014: There's good activity on the Lionhead user forums regarding the freezing issue. Lionhead seems engaged in resolving this. I'm optimistic about getting the freezing fixed and bumping my review to the 5 stars this game deserves.
Edit 2, Feb. 7, 2014: Based on info from the Lionhead forum I have had great success with the following steps: install game to hard drive, clear system cache and reinstall title update, wait 5 minutes on the Start screen to let the game cache before playing. In my most recent 4-hour session the game didn't lag or freeze once! So, here we go! Rating upgrade to the full 5 stars!
Here's a little more about why this game is so great and why you should buy it if you haven't already:
Expectations have always been infamously high going into a new Fable game. This time, my hopes were set on revitalized graphics, a better save system, better menus, and the Fable II control scheme. Fable Anniversary delivers on those completely!
Fable holds a special, nostalgic place in my heart for the time I spent playing this in my younger days. You can never play a game for the first time more than once, no matter how much you loved the first time. Even time doesn't make that possible. Coming back after so many years can make the original game more disappointing than magical.
With FA, though, Lionhead has breathed the life back into this game for me. It feels more how I remember it than ever, even though it's looks different and uses some different mechanics. Games are always about the experience for me, so I'm less interested in the purity of the original form than I am in the similarity of the original experience. FA is the closest I've been able to get to the gameplay that I fell in love with back in the day.
Great job, Lionhead! Thanks for bringing back that wonderful experience.
To anyone thinking about buying this game: If you loved or even liked the original Fable you have to get this game.
| Manufacturer | Microsoft Software |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 49X-00001 |
| Item Weight | 1.92 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 0.58 x 5.34 x 7.43 inches |
| Item model number | 49X-00024 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | Original Version |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
