Fable II Review (XB360)

One of Microsoft's bigger holiday releases for the Xbox 360, Fable II, finally hits shelves this week. We waited four years for this sequel to the enjoyable Xbox original, and thankfully, Peter Molyneux and his crew at Lionhead Studios surpassed expectations.

Like the original, Fable II puts you in charge of your own fate. You can be the noblest of heroes or a complete jackass, with your appearance changing depending on your decisions. Even small actions have an effect on those around you. You can easily woo women (or men) with fanciful dancing or insulting them by making fart noises. Probably the most heart-tugging relationship in the whole game, however, is the one with your dog. He'll follow you to the far ends of the world, sniffing out treasure and whining when he doesn't know where you're headed.

The relationship you have with your dog is one of Fable II's biggest driving factors. Click to see more images from the game...

Fable II's combat system consists of three key components: melee, distance and magic. Upon the conclusion of each battle, you'll be able to enhance your experience in each of these components, creating a character that suits you. We recommend mixing the three. Not only does this keep the game from becoming repetitive, but it also makes you a better warrior.

Exploration is also a huge part of the game. You can go anywhere your free-roaming spirit takes you, or follow the pre-lit path to your next objective. The path is a spoiler of sorts, showing you the way instead of letting you find it yourself. Fortunately, there's an option to turn it off.

Graphically, Fable II is beautiful. with breathtaking environments that feature beautiful water and lighting effects. The character designs are great, too, even though their physical expressions are limited. The sound is equally impressive. Not only will you find an excellent soundtrack and effects, but you'll also enjoy several hours of well-written and hilarious dialogue.

Co-op is also available. You can play off-line with a friend on the same console or, with the help of a downloadable patch, log in through Xbox Live and team up with an online compatriot. It's cool to a certain extent, working with others to complete quests and rack up the gold. However, we strongly suggest striking out on your own for a little while, just to get a feel for the game.

There are mild issues that come up every now and then. Your character never speaks, and performs his or her motions through physical movements. This is awkward, especially when you're trying to show your true self. In addition, you never really die. You'll rack up scars for each time you're "killed," only to come back from where you left off.

Those problems aside, Fable II is a remarkable sequel and a wonderful role-playing romp that fans will appreciate, one with a splendid presentation and the freedom of choice. It's the kind of story you'll wish never ends.

Related Links

Fable II Game Guide

Microsoft

Our Final ScoreExcellent

What did you think of this game? Post Your Own Review