Fable II

Well, Friday was a day of tough decisions. As is usually the case at this time of year, we see several big games released one the same day, but I chose Fable 2 over other contenders.

Now, it's a sad state of affairs, but I can lose myself in a good RPG, and Fable II isn't just good, it's exceptional. Let me explain why.

Okay, so graphics first. They're okay. Not great, but certainly not bad either, and there are some wonderful superfluous effects, like the way sunlight shines through trees in wooded areas, it's absolutely beautiful. The visual style is virtually identical to that of the first game, slightly cartoony, and instantly recognisable. Otherwise, the character models are average at best, with NPC models frequently repeating, and while the environments are lovely in parts in can look a little sparse. The sound too, is a mixed bag. There is some lovely music, but, as is often the case with games of this nature, there is a lot of repetition of phrases and sayings, which can grate after a while.

So, the game must play a blinder, right? It does, and then some. It was a much trumpeted feature in the original Fable, but here, with II's far larger gameworld, you really can completely ignore the actual quest and just live out a life in another world. Get a job, earn some money, find love, start a family, buy a house, become a property tycoon, look after your family....it's utterly addictive, and in many ways is much more satisfying than simply blindly following the main quest. Speaking of which, it's well told, if a little cliched, and while I've got a long way to go yet, I've already seen how some of your decisions can affect the world.

For instance, as a child, you collect some arrest warrants for a guard. However, you can also hand them over to the local crime kingpin instead. The result? Fast forward a decade or so, and if you handed the warrants to the guard, the town is a crime free haven, lush and green, with plentiful shops, and some of the best real estate in the game. If you gave them to the criminals? The town is a run down slum, infested with bandits, far fewer shops...it's a wonderful touch, that truly brings home the impact of your actions.

I've lost almost the whole weekend to it, and I've barely scratched the surface of this wonderful game. It's effortlessly charming, humourous, and with a rich narrative thread.

It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but for those willing to take a dip in Fable II's world, it's a rich experience, expertly served.

It sounds alright, although it's unlikely I'll get it. The whole "living out a virtual life" thing is an aspect of games I've never been that interested in.

I read that you can have lesbian sex in it.

Awesome.

Is it true that if you play as a female character and try to have kids, you can go adventuring while pregnant?

hmmm... good question.

and i MIGHT get this game if i have the money on hand and nothing else to buy at the time.

I would get this game, but it's 360 exclusive... =(

Kimarous wrote:

I would get this game, but it's 360 exclusive... =(

lucky me i have a 360(or rather MON has a 360 that i play more often than her)

Kimarous wrote:

Is it true that if you play as a female character and try to have kids, you can go adventuring while pregnant?

I'm playing as a male for now, so I'll have to get back to you on that!

Oddly though, when playing as a male hero, when you choose to have unprotected sex with your wife, she announces her pregnancy, then the baby is born immediately, there's no pregnancy period at all.

If you choose to play as an evil doer, iIt's quite amusing to kill your wife, then be informed that social services have taken custody of your children. So, what to do? Slaughter the whole damn town of course!

Kimarous wrote:

I would get this game, but it's 360 exclusive... =(

I own a 360, and I have no intention of getting this. HA!

Well, I've beaten the stroy mode, and finished every available side quest.

Spoilers!

Spoiler:

Having ripped apart about 90% of the game, I have to say, I've loved every minute. However, the main quest is very short, and you could rush through it in well under ten hours if you chose to, which is criminal for an RPG.

Most of the optional quests are a little repetitive too, and there isn't the infinite scope of something like Oblivion, where simply wandering the world could net you multiple quests.

So, final verdict? I've loved it, it's been huge fun, but I'm concerned by the replay value. My save file is around 30 hours now, and there's not much left to see or do. Yes, you have multiple paths along the way, and the Good / Evil mechanic is perhaps strong enough to warrant a second playthrough, but in all honesty you'd be able to see at least 70% of what the game has to offer by simply renting it. That feels almost criminal to say, as the game has clearly had a lot of love lavished on it, but it's simply too short.

about the end

Spoiler:

SimianWonder wrote:

Tobinator wrote:

about the end

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

lol

Spoiler:

30 hours and you're about done? Wow.

A_Nonny_Moose wrote:

30 hours and you're about done? Wow.

Yes, I know. Not much for an RPG, is it? It's not like I rushed through the game either, I took time out to explore, to do side quests, build up my real estate empire. It's simply too short, which is a shame.

A second playthrough beckons, but I doubt that'll take much more than 15-20 hours, if I so choose. For reference, 30 hours is about what I got out of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, but that didn't seem so short, largely because it's the kind of game you don't expect to have that kind of running time. With Fable II though, it was a little disheartening, especially when I've clocked up over 100 + hours on Oblivion, 70+ on Mass Effect, and replayed KoToR and various Final Fantasies a dozen times. 100+ on Fable II would just be...well, boring.

SimianWonder wrote:

A_Nonny_Moose wrote:

30 hours and you're about done? Wow.

Yes, I know. Not much for an RPG, is it? It's not like I rushed through the game either, I took time out to explore, to do side quests, build up my real estate empire. It's simply too short, which is a shame.

A second playthrough beckons, but I doubt that'll take much more than 15-20 hours, if I so choose. For reference, 30 hours is about what I got out of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, but that didn't seem so short, largely because it's the kind of game you don't expect to have that kind of running time. With Fable II though, it was a little disheartening, especially when I've clocked up over 100 + hours on Oblivion, 70+ on Mass Effect, and replayed KoToR and various Final Fantasies a dozen times. 100+ on Fable II would just be...well, boring.

ouch. quick question, how good/detailed is the character design/customization/creation?

Quote :

ouch. quick question, how good/detailed is the character design/customization/creation?

You start off with a generic male or female. Your can buy clothing, and dye it one of two dozen or so different colours. You can go to a barber and get various hair cuts, get your beard sorted, wear make up.

Your physical appearance is also altered by your choices. If you're a goody two shoes, you'll get an angelic glow around you, and a visible halo, with smooth skin. If you're evil, your skin cracks like molten rock, you attract flies, and grow huge horns. If you choose to rely on melee weaponry, you'll grow more muscular, if you use the gun, you get taller, and if you use magic, you end up with glowing runes all over your body.

SimianWonder wrote:

Quote :

ouch. quick question, how good/detailed is the character design/customization/creation?

You start off with a generic male or female. Your can buy clothing, and dye it one of two dozen or so different colours. You can go to a barber and get various hair cuts, get your beard sorted, wear make up.

Your physical appearance is also altered by your choices. If you're a goody two shoes, you'll get an angelic glow around you, and a visible halo, with smooth skin. If you're evil, your skin cracks like molten rock, you attract flies, and grow huge horns. If you choose to rely on melee weaponry, you'll grow more muscular, if you use the gun, you get taller, and if you use magic, you end up with glowing runes all over your body.

If you play as a "Jack of All Blades Trades", will you be muscular, tall, and saturated in luminescant text?

i was thinking of checking this out but after hearing how short it is hmmm... :/