Game Review: Fable 2

Sequel to 2005's 'Fable: The Lost Chapters', Lionhead's 'Fable 2' was released with high expectations. With the critical and commercial successes of the prequels, could Fable 2 make a successful jump into the next generation?

Similar to the prequels, in Fable 2 you'll play through a hero's life, from their grief stricken childhood to their heroic, glorious adulthood. As the hero, you'll travel the world, completing quests and assembling other heroes in an attempt to save the world from certain destruction. Sure, it's been done before, but it's brilliantly told, with compelling characters, and witty writing.

While the storyline is fairly linear, you'll have a lot of choice as to how you approach the rest of Fable 2. Besides the obvious choice between good and evil, there are other choice that are made more subtly. For example; if you walk around a town kicking chickens, people might think you're funny. If you extort someone in the street, they will think you're corrupt. Eat all the pies, and you become a fat bastard. It's a superb, unique system, that allows you to develop a character to your liking.

Not all heroes will adhere to the stereotype.

Fable 2 has something most games don't have; an economy. I don't mean the basic trading that we're used to, I mean an economy that changes and develops based on your actions in the game. So, if you trade a lot in certain regions, or buy a lot of property, the regions wealth will increase. As the worlds wealth increases or decreases, it'll go through various physical changes. Very few other RPGs do this, but none of them uses quite as sophisticated as system as Fable 2 does.

As a hero, you're going to be getting into your fair share of fights, and fortunately Fable 2 has an excellent combat system to accommodate for all the action. With ranged, melee and magic attacks each assigned to individual buttons, the combat system allows you to alternate between different aspects of fighting effortlessly, and you'll find that the combat flows brilliantly. The combat is accessible and intricate in equal measure which means that, while experienced players can enjoy sniping a bandit's left bollock from a mile away, new players can do just as well by button mashing while wielding a giant hammer. The combat system is easily the best in any RPG I've played, offering a slick, flowing experience that is as deep, or as shallow, as you want it to be.

Every gun-toting hero needs a comical mask. It's just the rule.

Unlike other RPGs such as the Elder Scrolls series, Fable 2 allows you to focus on the social aspect, as well as the heroic aspect of your hero. The game allows for genuine social interactions with other NPCs that go beyond receiving quests, giving you the opportunity to develop a relationship with random characters. This gives Fable 2 a more personal feel, and really helps to immerse you into the game, much more than the prequels managed.

While Fable 2 has remained true to the original Fable in many respects, it does bring in some completely new features, and the easiest to notice – and arguably the best – is the dog. It sounds like a silly, pointless accessory, but it's easily the most useful, most intelligent AI in the entire game. Serving as a guide in place of a mini-map, a treasure hunter, helping you in combat and even doing tricks to match your expressions, the dog is a fantastic, and unique part of Fable 2. You'll grow a genuine attachment to it, which is a fantastic feat for any video game.

Another feature Fable 2 introduces to the series is the superb co-op mode. Allowing a second player to drop in and out of the game playing as the heroes henchmen, you'll be able to play through the entire campaign, online or locally. There are a couple of minor qualms, such as how you can only bring your character's stats into the henchmen and not their appearance, and the camera is, occasionally, a little temperamental. But otherwise, it's nothing short of excellent, and a great addition to the Fable series.

As soon as you step into the world of Albion, you'll notice just how beautiful Fable 2 is. The colours are a gorgeous mixture of vibrancy and subtlety, creating a world that has a fantastic, magical vibe, but always feels natural. The art style is equally superb, whether it's Gothic castles leering above you, or just one of the local prostitutes, it's incredibly well designed, and always interesting. From the dank bogs, to the bustling towns, to the lush fields, Fable 2 offers a visual experienced unmatched by any other game on the 360. It's simply stunning.

What isn't gorgeous about this?

To top off an already great game is the original music score, which is nothing short of perfect. Ranging from the slow, mellow music of Albion's lush forests, to the heavy drumbeat of combat, Fable 2 has ideal music for every situation. There's also some superb voice acting, with big names such as Stephen Fry and Zoe Wanamaker lending their talents, and as a result a little extra credibility, to the game.

Fable 2 is one of the best games you'll play on 360. Witty, beautiful and immersive, Fable 2 is a stunning experience that shouldn't be missed by anyone. A near flawless game, it is sure to delight anyone who plays it. If I had to choose a game of the year now, this would probably be it.

9/10

Oh yeah, did I mention that Fable 2 allows you to have orgies? Even if you weren't convinced by the review, I bet you are now. You dirty bugger.

Named his Fable 2 dog after his girlfriend - tomdoodle16@live.co.uk