The fact that we never got fable 2 on PC is a crime

An honest review in 2025 from a first-timer...

Fable is, and always will be, one of those timeless gems in gaming. There's something about its approach to RPG mechanics and the way it looks. There's no denying it has a charm that hasn’t faded over the years. For anyone wondering, Fable Anniversary is essentially a remastered version of the 2004 classic, bundled with its DLC, The Lost Chapters.

I missed out on playing Fable as a kid, but even now, so many years later, it blew me away. It surprised me in ways I wasn’t expecting, and I’d recommend it to any RPG fan out there, young or old.

This game has a unique feel that’s hard to put into words. The world it creates, the way it lets you interact with everything...it’s like nothing else. Even games like Skyrim haven't managed to match this level of detail.

Let me explain...
In Skyrim, you can go from being a nobody to basically a God, but the world barely reacts to that. Sure, you might get a few comments from guards, but it’s pretty basic, simple and overall doesn't even add to your immersion. You could walk into a village wearing Daedric armor, and no one would care.
Fable is the complete opposite. Every choice you make. right down to the armor you wear, changes how people see you. Some villagers cheer for you while others run away in terror. And while Fable doesn’t take itself too seriously, it doesn’t lean too hard into comedy either. It hits a balance that feels just right.

+ You start off as a kid, and everything you do leaves a mark. Eat too much, and your character gains weight. Take too much damage, and you get scars. Master magic, and glowing runes appear on your body. Your character changes as you progress, and it makes the whole experience feel alive.
The game gives you so much to do from buying gear, food, weapons, and even houses, renting properties, fishing, digging for treasure, and completing side quests where you work as a mercenary for both the good guys and the villains. And throughout it all, you’re chasing your main goal: avenging your family. It’s a personal journey, and it makes the game feel like your story.

+ It's hard to describe just how good this game feels. The music, the graphics, the voice acting...everything works together to create something truly unique. Fable has an identity that's all its own, and even years after its release, it still holds up.

- However, that's not to say we don't have some issues here.
The combat system is pretty simple and feels clunky. Sure, you get swords, bows, and magic, and they're all useful, but the depth isn't really there. Some abilities, like summoning, feel kind of pointless. Summoned allies don't do much damage, don't distract enemies, and aren't even useful at higher levels. Combat usually boils down to using the same two or three tactics over and over.
The morality system is another mix of bad and good. There's no real incentive to be good or evil.
It's more about how you want to play. And then there are the characters.
Whisper, one of your early sidekicks, is annoying, and her brother is even worse.
Still, maybe that’s part of Fable's charm. It’s not trying to make you love every character. It’s giving you an experience to remember.

All in all Fable gives you around 30 hours of gameplay with a single character, and for the most part, it's fantastic. The story and villain could've been better, but the world it creates is more than enough to keep you invested. If you love RPGs, this game is a must.

8.8/10

First Fable is still the best Fable.