Game Details

• Title: Fable 2
• Developer: Lionhead Studios (Microsoft)
• Released (UK): 24/11/2008
• Age Rating: 16+
• Game Type: RPG (Action)
• Multi-player: 2 player Co-op

Background

The original Fable is probably best known for being a disappointment due to much being promised but not delivered, which is unfortunate as if you look beyond that, then Fable is a decent action RPG. The same mistakes were not made this time around and nothing was promised that could not be delivered. Fable 2 plays much like the original Fable and the style of graphics and the music captured the essence of the original game, while being an advancement upon them. While in many ways it is a “Hack and Slash” game there is sufficient depth and freedom in the story for it to be justified being called an action RPG.

Main Reasons to Buy

One of the main reasons to buy Fable 2 has to be the canine companion you get in game, and whilst you may not “love your dog”, it is sufficiently useful for its welfare to matter to you. There is also the online Co-op feature which while limited is rarely seen in RPGs and adds to its longevity. Finally there are a number of time jumps in the game, after which you can see the results of your actions for good or ill played out.

Main Reasons to Avoid

Despite the wealth of things you can do Fable 2 in many ways lack depth, and so fans of more serious RPGs may find it to light for their tastes. It is also far too easy to manipulate NPCs into liking or loving you, as you can have practically a whole town worshipping you within 5 minutes.  For an RPG the game is relatively short and the world small, once the main plot and side quests are complete the game has little to offer aside from perhaps a replay to see what occurs if you take the opposite moral path for your character.

My Recommendation

BUY – 8/10

Like the original Fable, it is not perfect but it is still a very good game which I recommend buying if you enjoyed the original Fable or action RPGs in general.

In what will come to no surprise to anyone who has read my review of the Fable 2 pub games, even though I rate Fable 2 as a title to Buy, it is nonetheless, Shamertag Worthy. The reason for this is linked to the reasons that the XBLA Pub Games were Shamertag Worthy and that is the linking of achievements to other games, as to get all the Pub Games achievements you need to have a Fable 2 character saved, and several of the Fable 2 achievements are much easier if you have played and completed the Pub Game tournaments. Note that if the Pub Games had been given away to everyone for free (which IMO they should have) this would not apply, but as the achievements technically require the purchase of 2 games it makes Fable 2 Shamertag Worthy