nce, I had another name. But that was long ago. Now the people simply whisper my epithet as I pass – Pilgrim. I have tales to tell of trust and revenge, love and betrayal. I have walked the dark and twisted paths of Albion, and I have basked in its warm, sun-dappled forests. I’ve fought unspeakable horrors and come back, scarred but triumphant. I am what they say I am – a hero.

You’ll have to excuse the self-reverential foolishness. As it turns out, I’m not even remotely as cool as my character. This game just has that effect on you. When you step into the world of Fable, you’ll emerge into a unique and evocative artistic style of intense depth and beauty. Ancient trees and timeworn buildings immediately establish a storybook fantasy setting. Incredible lighting means that when you walk beneath a street lamp, your skin exhibits a bright sheen. Wander a forested path, and shadows fall realistically across your body. The palette is vivid and colorful. The world seems vibrantly alive.

While moving through Albion, you’ll be accompanied by a spirited orchestral score that defines the mood of every place you visit. A single expressive motif weaves in and out of the music, and you’ll find yourself whistling that memorable theme as you walk away from the game. Sound design elsewhere is equally arresting, with thousands of lines of spoken dialogue from the NPCs that inhabit the world. What makes it even more incredible is how much of that speech is reactive to your situation. I wasn’t kidding before. I paid the local town crier to change my title to "Pilgrim," and afterwards people literally whispered my hero’s name in hushed awe as I passed. Belch in front of a flirtatious lady, and she will happily voice her disgust. Kill all of a merchant’s companions, and he will fall to his knees and beg for mercy.

Combat is a relatively simple affair that is nonetheless highly satisfying. You can swing and block with your melee weapon, or lock on to circle your foe or launch an arrow. The magic system has gorgeous spell effects and an ingenious system of casting that allows you to switch between your library of incantations in real time. Monsters look phenomenal, and their AI allows them to switch tactics in response to your actions.

But the greatest triumph Fable can claim is its main character. From childhood onward, every action changes the appearance, morality, attractiveness, and abilities of the lead. Intricate tattoos, battle scars, clothing combinations and even different hair and beard choices all define a distinct look. The food he eats and the actions he takes will change his physique and how people will react to him. You’ll watch time have its way with him as he ages. Drink beer and get drunk. Fall in love and marry the woman (or man) of your dreams. Cold-bloodedly murder townspeople in the dark of night or learn to wield incredible forces of magic to defend the city. It’s more than just clear-cut options of good and evil – you are creating a person.

The choices and consequences available allow not only for incredible gameplay, but also for a compelling thematic musing on the nature of power. Given the chance for great wealth, would you betray a friend? With the might to destroy all, would you spare the meek? Fable gives you the power to do great and terrible deeds, and leaves the rest up to you. And, in the end, it leaves you with one final irrevocable choice that, either way, will haunt you for a long time. With its moving story and deft execution, Fable is quite literally the adventure of a lifetime.