Fable

Fable was made under the direction of Peter Molyneux, a designer famous for ambitious promises, not all of which made it into the final game and which became a legendary example of overhyped pre-release expectations, yet the resulting action RPG from Lionhead Studios still managed to charm players with its personality and attention to detail. The player follows the hero's life story from childhood to a seasoned warrior, with the character's physical appearance changing in real time according to the choices made — good deeds bring a radiant aura and an angelic look, while evil deeds bring scars, horns, and a dark cast to the skin, all visible immediately just by looking at the character.

The morality system was thus not just an abstract number, but visibly shaped the character's identity and how the surrounding world and its inhabitants reacted to them — they might fear, admire, or flee outright from the player's character depending on their renown. The style in which the player fought also mattered, since developing strength, dexterity, or magic physically transformed the character, from a muscular brute to a gaunt sorcerer. The world of Albion, inspired by the English countryside and fairy-tale motifs, was woven through with typically British humor, small side activities such as blacksmithing or playing cards, and the ability to build relationships with the inhabitants all the way to marriage and starting a household. As game time passed, the player's character could also age, an unusual detail for the era that underscored the impression of a lived life rather than a mere checklist of tasks.

Although the scope of the world and its systems ultimately proved more modest than the pre-release promises suggested, and individual locations turned out to be more like connected corridors than a truly open landscape, Fable's emphasis on a personal, reactive story made it an unforgettable experience. The expanded edition The Lost Chapters later added new content, endings, and locations, and became the definitive version of the game for many later players.