Difficulty:

Very Easy

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Grows on you"

Fable II is a very good game that has many strong points that separate from all of the other games. It is an action game with light RPG elements made by Lionhead. The first thing you may notice is how different this game is. Differences include it's British humor, the camera is a bit different, and the combat. These changes actually do well to better the game.

Fable II starts out in Bowerstone Old Town in the nation of Albion. It is set 500 years after the first. You and your sister are young homeless children trying desperately to survive in the cold winter. A wandering trader named Murgo arrives and offers a magical music box among other things for five gold coins. Your sister forms an idea that if you buy the box, you can wish to live in Albion's castle with the king, Lord Lucien. You travel about town, doing deeds either good or bad to earn your five coins. You also get a dog on the way. This affects how Old Town looks later and can turn into and ugly town filled with sin, murder, and prostitution, or a beautiful town filled with life. Once you open the box it seems that i has not worked. However, later that night guards take you to the castle because Lucien wishes to meet you. After talking he says one of you is a hero. He begins to panic, shoots your sister, pushes you out a window, and you land in the streets below. A woman named Theresa from Fable I comes and saves you and turns you into the world seeking revenge against Lord Lucien. The story is decent at best and mediocre at worst.

The fighting in the game is incredible. You can use melee weapons such as swords, mauls, maces, and more. You can also use flintlock rifles, pistols, crossbows, and other varieties. Magic is available like fire, thunder, wind, controlling time, and more. Your hero will likely integrate all three in combat. The combat is basically button mashing X for melee, Y for ranged, and B for magic but it is very fluid combat and works surprisingly well. you can also fight in drop in/out combat but it is not anything special. This game does an amazing job of letting you know character progression and you eventually feel like a real hero.

The graphics are sort of a mixed reaction. The lush environments are gorgeous and almost look real. The people clearly look like they are trying to look real but they don't look that convincing. I have not noticed it much but there is a very, very rare frame hiccup when there are several characters onscreen but this rarely happens. The sound is quite good and your swords, guns, and magic sound real. The music is pretty good but it is not anything special.

There are several things to do once you are done or need a break from the story. You can get a job, a home, rent property, get married, have kids, go on side quests, fight enemies, or explore. It seems the side attractions could be a game on their own. You will probably want to play again just to see what would happen if you were the opposite either evil or good. You interact with people through expressions and they correspond accordingly. If you do a dance, most people will like your enthusiasm. If you thrust your pelvis, many will dislike it but the more lewd and raunchy citizens will enjoy it. If you belch many will think it is funny but the more serious citizens will be disgusted. As you perform heroic good deeds, people will love and adore you. Be an annoying person or live a life of crime and people will hate you and run away from you.

As does every game Fable has some problems. The voice acting is not very good and most of the time characters aren't emotionally convincing. The combat, while addicting and very good, can get a little repetitive. The co-op is horrible; the second player can't use his own player, and there is little to do besides fight. The game as a whole is incredibly easy to the point where I could probably play well with my feet. I've gone through playthroughs without dying once or needing to use more than three potions. The game doesn't feel like a big world due to the many loading screens and the way travel is handled.Your dog can help in combat, but it feels like he plays a very minor role, as he can only attack enemies you've knocked down.

Despite the very minor problems Fable II remains a game I strongly recommend. I can almost guarantee everyone will enjoy this game. If you already have this game you should give Fable I a shot and anticipate for Fable III. This series holds a special place in my heart and I hope you find this game enjoyable too.