Fable 2

Been playing Fable 2 pretty much non stop for the past few days, exploring and defeating hordes of enemies, and I must say this game is great. While the story does end with a kind of "What in the world just happened...." feel, I do believe this was intentional to leave the game open for download content (which I know makes me happy).

Fable 2 takes place long after the events of Fable, and you find yourself in a world much different from before. The world is more populated, more savage, and with out heros. Your quest begins with your childhood just as the previous game did, and quickly moves to adulthood (no 2-3 hours spend growing up this time around). I would love to talk about the events of the game, but I really don't wanna ruin a single aspect of the game for anyone who is looking to buy this title, or has it and has yet to begin playing it. But I will say, it is interesting to see that the choices you make as a child actually change the world when you are an adult.

Now, as for how the game plays, I'll have to say the new design of game play is wonderful. The spell system which is now a 1 button spell system, is very well implemented, and works flawlessly. Through charging up your spells, you can have access to 5 spells, 5 ranks of 1 spell, or anything in between (such as rank 1, 3, and 5 shock, and rank 2 and 4 time control). The melee system is still rather the same, giving you the option to mash your X button through the entire game to hack and slash your way through enemies. And the ranged system seems more open in this game then I remember in the original Fable. Giving you the ability to just shoot your way through the game by mashing Y, or being able to blow off someone's head with a well aimed fire from a gun, cross bow, or rifle.

The experience system is still the same set up, where you gain general EXP, as well as EXP based on what kind of attacks you performed, although spending it is much improved. No more traveling back to some far away zone to get new spells or abilities! Built right into the menu system is the skill builder, which allows you to get new abilities and skills as you go.

I am kind of upset by the lack of really cool looking armor in this game how ever. Lion Head took the game down a new path by removing armor rating from equipment to convince people to play the game with different paths (you can go from the beginning to the end in just your under-garments or even a chicken suit). But they didn't give a ton of options. I believe there is about 15 full costumes and of course you can alter them by picking different parts for your own over all look, and you can also change the color of them with dyes, but I was still expecting more styles including cool looking plate or some sort of actual armor (hopeful in DLC with areas to play in... I'd probably pass on a clothing pack unless it was free).

Over all I'd say the title is great, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an RPG.