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Fable III announced
Molyneux unveils his next game...and it's a sequel to one of our favourites of last year.
Written by Chris Schilling, 19 August 2009
So it *was* Fable III in the end, then. Speaking at GamesCom today, Peter Molyneux confirmed that his new game will see players return to the world of Albion for a third time, or the second on the same console.
This latter point is something Molyneux's a little uneasy about, pointing out that fact in his presentation slides as part of the 'design challenge'. He's apparently keen to ensure that 'players must always be surprised, must always "expect the unexpected"' and that there are two big areas of innovation - he's going to be bold with the game mechanics, and the story and drama. "Question the foundation stones", the slide tells us. Revolution!
According to Eurogamer, we're going to see the industrialisation of Albion - the age of steam bringing in a host of new technology to the more developed areas in particular. Expect Bowerstone in particular to be transformed, as a wealth of inventions expand Albion's boundaries, pushing back the old world somewhat...and the creatures that reside therein. We can't see the Balverines and Hobbes being too happy at their stomping grounds being invaded.
360Zine Issue 40
For our latest Fable coverage, click here to download 360Zine Issue 40 for free.Indeed, it seems conflict is set to play a big part in Fable III - you've got the burgeoning industrial environs impinging on the bucolic beauty of the rest of the world. We'll personally be more than a little gutted to see Oakfield succumb to the allure of this steam-powered revolution, and early word suggests that players may yet have a say in how industrialisation shapes the game world - do you want to prevent progress or embrace it? Decisions, decisions.
So yes, once again, it's all about choices - a new age of invention and travel could broaden Albion's horizons, but at the same time the thrill of the new brings its own risks. "You're producing war machines and militarising the population," Lionhead art lead John McCormack tells Eurogamer. War? Huh? Yeah.
It's evident even from the early promotional tease that this revolution could well be bloody, and we fully expect Fable II's dark side to come to the fore this time around. Choices will almost certainly be even tougher and have more far-reaching effects. You'll likely be able to influence people and shape the game world more than ever before - 'followers' and 'subjects', remember. If you managed to See The Future in Fable II's most recent DLC pack, then you'll know you're in a position of significance. Thematically, we're talking "with great power comes great responsibility", it seems.
It's early days yet, and time will tell whether Molyneux is once again overpromising. But his ambition can't be faulted, and whether or not Fable III ends up being as revolutionary as all those famous figures hint that it will, we certainly wouldn't bet against it being royally entertaining. Pun intended.
Fable coverage available in 360Zine Issue 40 - click here to download it for free!
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dtaylor
19 August 2009 @ 11:46AM GMT