Fable's "M" rating

[maibock]

Could someone who has played the game explain why it has an "M" rating?

 

My 12 year old was looking forward to this game, and Saturday he had all his money saved up and we went to EB Games. To his disappointment, the game is rated M and he realized I wouldn't let him get it with out thoroughly checking it out.

 

I read quite a few reviews which none mention why it has the rating it does. He's played Halo, which I didn't think was innapropriate for a 12 year old to play, but that's the only other M rated game we own.

 

Any insights or web links to other reviews would be appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[Raijin Z]

I would assume a somewhat realist game where you chop up somewhat realistic people with somewhat realistic weapons (immitatable behavior) would get an M rating.

 

Also, read some reviews of Fable before you buy it. I've seen little but complaints of it basically being a singleplayer mmorpg and more linear than say, Kid Niki.

[PuddWakkr]

Well you can decapitate enemies, but it's not really that gory.

You can get married and have sex, but they don't show anything.

You can get drunk and vomit all over, but it's not that gross.

I didn't notice any real bad language.

I'm guessing the M rating is for what you could do rather than what's in there. It's possible to kill entire villages, slaughter a schoolhouse of children, or beat your wife. Of course you don't have to play this way. I'm sure that depending on how you play the game could be rated anywhere from T to M. With all the choices the game offers they probably just slapped a M rating on there to be safe.

[liquid_sky]

the M rating i am guessing is because you can go to the pub and drink beer and eventually puke yet the more you drink the better rating you get for holding your alcohol.. and when you marry you can keep giving your wife gifts or doing flirty expressions until she offers to go to bed with you in which the screen goes black and you hear random moans.

 

Nothing too extreme, but rent it and play it with him first.. i dont see anything too extremely bad for a 12 year old but then again im a dirty liberal.

[PuddWakkr]

im a dirty liberal.

 

That the name of your character "The Famous Infiltrator - Dirty Liberal"

[Foxy Cleopatra]

I've been playing for a few days now, and I guess the M rating is somewhat appropriate, but I think it would be ok for a 12 year old. Like Pudd said, there's nothing that absolutely has to happen, I haven't gotten my character drunk, I just don't have time, although I have bedded my wife 4 times already! but you really have to work hard to get her to go to bed with you.

 

Oh there is also the option of having a homosexual relationship, I have a bunch of guys in love with me!

 

The game play is morality driven, so your son's temperment will probably define the choices he makes. Since you know your son best, and what kind of choices he'll make you'll know what kind of game he'll play ....

 

I'd probably let my 9-year-old play because I'm sure he'd never get married, never bother to get drunk, he'd probably just run around starting fights with the townfolk

 

Actually the game has a lot of really unique properties. If you don't get it for your son, you might want to get it for yourself.

[figgler]

. I've seen little but complaints of it basically being a singleplayer mmorpg and more linear than say, Kid Niki.

 

That's the most hilarious comparison I've heard in a long time

[maibock]

The game play is morality driven, so your son's temperment will probably define the choices he makes. Since you know your son best, and what kind of choices he'll make you'll know what kind of game he'll play ....  

 

 

Yeah that's what I think is holding me back. My older son would play the upstanding citizen type of game play, where my 12 year old will try to exploit every option available. He's done things in games that I never thought was possible.

 

When I used to play test games, I'd give it to him for an hour or so and just jotted down the bugs he ran into. He has patience to run and abuse every option available until something fun happens.

 

Thanks for the advice!