In the world of RPG gaming there are many games that are great as well as many games that are just good. From the Elder Scrolls series to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic there are many greats but, there is one that stands out among games as mature, violent, sex-addicted, and…flatulent. This is the review of Fable 2.

Story:

The storyline itself is a story within a story within a story, so forth and so on. You are (insert name here),a soon to be renown hero of Albion. You and your sister Rose are poor paupers in old town Bowerstone just looking for some gold for a few days of food, when you come across a magical music box that you are enticed to buy because of what an old blind gypsy told you about it (that it was truly magical). You set off to do some simple tasks for some gold pieces. You need a total of 5 to obtain the box and some of the decisions you make as a child are crucial to your future in the game weather you want to be good or evil. The game takes a twist when you get the music box, open it and it disappears…you then are asked to the castle where Lord Licien Fairfax lives and he proceeds to find out that they are eventual Heroes that could get into his way and he kills your sister Rose and shoots you out of a window. You are saved by that blind gypsy who is Theresa, from the first Fable.

From here you go on your quest of revenge on Lucien with Theresa’s help. Theresa has you seek out 3 other Heros that will aid you in Lucien’s destruction. The first is Hannah (Hammer) from Oakfield who is the Hero of Strength, you then find Garth, the Hero of Will in Brightwood but must fallow Lucien’s men who have captured him to the Spire in order to rescue him, and finally you have Reaver from Bloodstone who is the Hero of Skill. Throughout this story you will make decisions that impact you and those around you which will determine your side of good or evil, pure or corrupt.

Overall: A

Gameplay:

The gameplay is wonderful and just as addictive as the first Fable. They give you a new and fun interactive addition to this game in the form of a companion, your new dog. You can choose to rename him, I named mine Murphy after my first dog, and he can do tricks along with your different expressions. You can still fart, belch, flip off, dance, growl, seduce and slap your way all through Albion just like in the first game. My favorite edition to the game is your secondary weapon which can be crossbows or firearms. I love my repeating rifle; you can also get pistols, and blunderbusses, which are like old school shotguns. The aiming system is still on par, your blocking, and combos are strong as well just like before. Your Will powers are exceptional and entertaining. I wonder if Lucas Arts might pursue a lawsuit regarding Fable 2 having a Will move called “Force Push”. Just something to keep your eye on. Anyway, the gameplay is as solid as the original and you can buy damn near everything in the game, houses and stuff alike. It takes an estimated 100 million gold to buy everything in the world says lead designer Peter Molyneux. There are loads of clothes and weapons to buy. Solid gameplay here.

Overall: A

Graphics:

The graphics are solid and keep that same graphical style from the original game. A somewhat dark kiddie graphics style that is different from all other games. The details are good, not great but keep itself respectable. Your facial features such as eyes, facial hair, hair and so on are again on par but not something that will catch your eye like Elder Scrolls: Oblivion or the newly released Fallout 3 that just came out. The graphics will not wow you but are in great condition for the X360 and for what the game brings. The graphics stay true to Fable and to its heritage that Molyneux proposed during the original Fable creation. Why add more to something that needs no fixing?

Overall: A

Sound:

The sound is great and is helpful in certain situations. When your looking for the gargoyle heads the sound helps you by selectively giving you sound bites from only the are they are in. To help you from the confusion of my previous sentence, if he is behind you, you will only hear his voice from behind you. It helps a lot when looking for someone or something. The weapon fire is nice to hear too, good crackshot sounds.

Overall: A

Replay:

The replay is very good actually. There are 3 endings you can get and all three are worth their point totals. The online play is interesting and fun although it doesn’t chalk up the same fun as Saints Row 2 in any way; it is still respectable on its own rights. Taking a different tour of Albion from the good side and evil side is always worth another few hours of gameplay. It is also a great looking game and has some fun achievements to pick up along the way some of which can only be achieved while being online. Good replay value here.

Overall: B+

Overall:

This is a great addition to the Fable franchise for Lionhead Studios. Play through this game and you will get a glimpse at a possible 4^th installation of the series here with an interesting twist to the plot here. As long as people enjoy making their own characters, facial features, and careers via games these types will live on until the day will die and Fable will be there at the brunt with the other powerhouse games out there to choose from. Just remember, this is the only game you can be gay and get married in. It’s funny that Albion has a tyrannical ruler yet is liberal. That is funny in this day in age of Repubs and Dems. Albion is a heavy conservative seeming place but hookers and gay marriage are a norm. Some life lessons here maybe? You decide!

Overall: A

Achievements

Sort:
	The Pooch Pamperer	5
	Play fetch with your dog, or see another Hero's dog play.
	The Archaeologist	5
	Dig up something the dog has discovered, or see another Hero do so.
	The Dog Trainer	5
	Teach your dog a trick, or see another Hero's dog learn one.
	The Persuader	5
	Convince a villager to give you a present, or see another Hero do so.
	The Show-off	5
	Impress a villager with a perfect expression, or see another Hero do so.
	The Romantic	10
	Take a villager on a perfect date, or tag along to one. Location and expressions are all-important.
	The Spouse	10
	Marry a villager, or attend the wedding of another Hero.
	The Parent	10
	Have a child, or be there for the birth of another Hero's child.
	The Hunter	5
	Kill a sweet, innocent, fluffy bunny rabbit (remember, safety's off!)
	The Gargoyle	25
	Find the gargoyles' legendary treasure.
	The Chicken Kicker	5
	Kick a chicken a good distance, or see one getting kicked.
	The Cliff Diver	5
	Cliff dive 500 feet, or see another Hero do so.
	The Workhorse	10
	A Hero must achieve a high-enough chain while performing a job.
	The Hero of Many Names	5
	Change your Hero's title, or see another Hero change theirs.
	The Teaser	5
	Make bandits respond to expressions with fear, anger, mirth, and confusion... during combat!
	The Property Magnate	10
	A property must be sold for twice the price it was bought for.
	The Rogue	5
	Steal something undetected from a building while there are people nearby, or see another Hero do so.
	The Illustrated Hero	5
	Tattoo every part of your Hero's body, or see another Hero do so.
	The Executioner	10
	Sacrifice ten people in the Temple of Shadows, or see another Hero do so.
	The Gambler	10
	A Hero must win 500 gold at a pub game in one sitting, having tried each game type at least once.
	The Bigamist	10
	Get married a second time, whilst already married, or attend the second wedding of another Hero.
	The Swinger	5
	Take part in a debauched bedroom party with several participants.
	The Pied Piper	10
	Start a party where at least five villagers are dancing, or see another Hero do so.
	The Party Animal	10
	Get five villagers drunk in under three minutes, or see another Hero do so.
	The Menace To Society	5
	Commit an act of public indecency, or see another Hero commit one.
	The Black Knight	10
	Shoot the weapons from a hollow man's hands, blow off his head and then kill him for good!
	The Duellist	10
	String together a full-speed chain attack, or see another Hero do so.
	The Sharpshooter	10
	Hit three enemies with one shot, or see another Hero do so.
	The Archmage	10
	A Hero must kill five human enemies with one spell.
	The Ruler of Albion	100
	Amass a 2.5 million gold real estate empire, or be there when another Hero does.
	The Hoarder	25
	Collect every silver key, or see another Hero do so.
	The Goth	5
	A Hero must dye their hair black, and wear a black outfit and black makeup.
	The Completionist	50
	Get all expressions, pet tricks and abilities, or see another Hero do so.
	The Paragon	15
	Reach 100% good or evil, or see another Hero do so.
	The Extremist	15
	Reach 100% purity or corruption, or see another Hero do so.
	The Celebrity	50
	Reach 50,000 renown, or see another Hero do so.
	The Artisan	10
	Succeed at one job to Level 5, or see another Hero do so.
	The Dollcatcher	10
	Collect all the Hero dolls, or see another Hero collect them.
	The Muse	5
	Inspire the Bard to compose songs celebrating your great deeds.
	The Companions	10
	Perform a perfect co-op expression.
	The Double Threat	10
	Get a co-op combat bonus.
	The Philanthropist	10
	Send a gift to an Xbox LIVE friend, or watch another Hero send one.
	The Whippersnapper	25
	A child Hero must collect five gold pieces.
	The New Hero	50
	The terror of Bower Lake must be defeated.
	The Hero of Strength	100
	Complete The Hero of Strength.
	The Hero of Will	100
	Complete The Hero of Will.
	The Hero of Skill	100
	Complete The Hero of Skill.
	The Sacrifice	25
	A Hero must choose 'The Needs of the Many'.
	The Family	25
	A Hero must choose 'The Needs of The Few'.
	The Egomaniac	25
	A Hero must choose 'The Needs of the One'.

"Fable 2 (X360)" is on sale October 21, 2008 and is rated M. RPG.