Fable II - What We Liked, What We Didn't

[nskinnear]

By now, you've all had a chance to get stuck into Albion.

There's been a lot of hype and anticipation for Fable II and you'll have already formed your first opinions on it.

So, what's clicked with you and what hasn't? Here are the three things OXM loved about Fable II and the three things we didn't like quite so much...

What We Liked

The World

It's hard to understate just how well crafted Fable 2's world is. Everything feels like it has had attention to detail lavished on it and there's no feeling of 'cut and paste' syndrome to flesh out the world to try and make it bigger.

Each town has its own character, every road has its own treasure, every field is begging to be explored. In addition to that, you have plenty of background information filtering through from NPCs and quests. It really does help bring Albion to life.

The only game that rivals it in terms of a coherent, interesting game world is Mass Effect.

Streamlined Controls

The controls for Fable 1 were deceptive. While initially quite simple, as your range of spells grew, Lionhead struggled to keep it all within the confines of the humble Xbox pad.

Not so with Fable II, with a quick select spell system that makes sense and is easy on the thumbs. What's more, because it works based on how powerful your spells are, there's even incentive to further tailor the system by building up your spells around the control system by staggering their strength - having Time Control at Level 1, Chaos at Level 2, Blades at Level 3 and so on. It makes perfect sense and as a result, combat is far more enjoyable.

So Much To Do

Buy a house. Rent it out. Dye your clothes. Chop some wood. Get everyone drunk. Have unprotected sex. Slaughter a town. Grow fat. Grow slim. Slow time. Bring down a town's economy. Kick down doors. Kill rabbits. Have a swim. Run around near-naked. Poo yourself. Play fetch.

We could go on. There's so much to do in Fable II, no matter how trivial, part of the joy is in discovering what you're allowed to do and how the world of Albion responds to it.

What We Didn't Like

Too Short

There's a lot to do in Albion but the problem with Fable II is it doesn't take particularly long to do any of it.

The main adventure would last an average gamer 10 hours tops, with the side-quests and extra fluff taking up an extra five. Even the world itself, while packed with detail, feels quite small and self-contained. It doesn't have the epic sprawl of an Oblivion and while it is undoubtedly more focused than that game, it's a shame that it feels like a single chapter in the Fable adventure rather than the whole book.

Too Rough

Accusing Lionhead of rushing Fable 2 to the market in time for Christmas isn't really fair, because of the amount of stuff crammed onto Fable 2's disc puts most games to shame.

Even so, it feels rough around the edges. The frame rate dips and dives, the graphics never quite shine (with the exception of sunsets, ironically) and the co-op feels like a work in progress rather than the finished article.

Fable 1 All Over Again?

The biggest complaint about Fable II, and some might say it's a positive, is that it doesn't really push the boat out from what Fable 1 achieved. It realises some of Fable 1's untapped potential and adds in some extras such as the dog and job system but it's a case of same smell, different nostril.

If anything, Fable II was an exercise in good housekeeping from Lionhead, who simply tidied up what they had rather than risking any major new components. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, of course, but it's bound to leave some disappointed.

Source

I've heard most people say that the worst thing about this was how easy the story was.

[Soldier 95B]

I would have to disagree with everything they disliked about it. Many already have 50 hours into the game on their first time though looking for everything, side quests, all the treasures, the homes and shop rentals, working and taking care of their families. This will easily be 25 hours the first time through for me at minimum.

Didn't find anything rough, nor was it too much "Fable I"

Anyone notice how they contradicted themselves? Too short, but there is so much to do?

That summary pretty much blows.

What don't I like? Currently, the camera sucks for co-op, and you can't use your own player. I also don't like the fact that I can't layout all of my collections in my house so I can see them as trophies. All my books, gold, etc.

[Galvanise_]

Tthe bloody dog keeps on running off. Glitches a few times and gets caught behind things. Grrr.

[Carsonal]

I liked everything except initially not being able to figure out how to get caught by the guards, and that strange little voice that i hear everywhere that seems to sound like its mocking me.

But the greatest things imo are probably the size of Albion with its many regions, being able to sacrifice my spouse at the temple of shadows and turning into a disgusting horned freak after doing evil deeds.

[Blackout'08]

I liked everything except initially not being able to figure out how to get caught by the guards, and that strange little voice that i hear everywhere that seems to sound like its mocking me.

But the greatest things imo are probably the size of Albion with its many regions, being able to sacrifice my spouse at the temple of shadows and turning into a disgusting horned freak after doing evil deeds.

That's not just a disembodied voice, there is a source, I'm not going to say anymore than that but the loading screens talk about it if you pay close attention.

[Bhindi_Bhajji]

There are only 3 things that I find annoying at the moment:

The fact that you can only have one save which keeps getting overwritten I find lame (unless I'm missing something), and...

Invisible walls in places that you should easily be able to get to.

The lack of a proper jump to get over walls etc rather than having to press A when it tells you to vault or jump.

Other than these things though I am really enjoying it and I'm going to try to drag it out for as long as I can!

[THUGGEDOUT]

Tthe bloody dog keeps on running off. Glitches a few times and gets caught behind things. Grrr.

While watching my wife play the game, this is happening a lot with the dog. I was surprised though that there was no "Call" command for the dog when he disappears like that...

[DanceCommander]

The visuals, from a technical perspective aren't all that amazing. The frame rate dips, there's some screen tearing, object draw in, the models aren't as detailed as you might expect of games at this point and the vegetation when you compare to games like Uncharted lacks the shaders that makes them look more organic. However the art style is astounding. For it's technical short comings the game is beautifully constructed, whether it's the large landscapes, draw distances, characterisations, lighting and subtle blooming I find wondering around the game world really peaceful. I actually enjoy just aimlessly wondering around the land.

[Sparc]

I haven't had any problems with my dog. I was just thinking last evening how well it was that he never got caught behind objects. There are times when you do get ahead of the dog, usually after you've leapt off a ledge or something, but he always comes to you.

There are definitely some dips in frame rate from time to time and pop in's too. Not noticed any tearing though.

I think the game offers around 30-50 hours if you do all the side quests, more if you locate all the doors and statues and complete those activities too.

The game is great fun.

[Soldier 95B]

I haven't had any problems with my dog. I was just thinking last evening how well it was that he never got caught behind objects. There are times when you do get ahead of the dog, usually after you've leapt off a ledge or something, but he always comes to you.

There are definitely some dips in frame rate from time to time and pop in's too. Not noticed any tearing though.

I think the game offers around 30-50 hours if you do all the side quests, more if you locate all the doors and statues and complete those activities too.

The game is great fun.

Most of the time, you usually hear about people complaining that they can't lose the dog (those who are not interested in playing the game with the dog). I have had zero problems in that regard.

However, my dog did get kinda sort stuck on me. Kinda hard to explain...but I will try. We were down in a cave area where there was water (near the start of the game but after childhood). He was on some rock area, facing towards the water. His front feet were not touching the ground (maybe a couple centimeters off the rock), but his back hind legs were up in the air, tucked down like they do when he is scared. Almost like he was standing on his two front feet. He wouldn't follow me, even when I was next to him. I called for him using the call button on the dpad (press right), and still nothing. I tried walking into him, trying to push him. Anything, and none of that worked.

Finally, I was getting pissed, so I used the discipline (left on the dpad), and he came right to me. WTF? LOL.

[Sparc]

Ah, okay. Never had that yet, but at least I know how to deal with it if I do. Does your dog keep chasing his damn tail and making the same growling noise he does when he seems an enemy? It's doing my head in. I've tried disciplining him when he does it to try and discourage him from doing it all the time. Every time he does it I think there are baddies about.

[arfi-gorgona-O]

The visuals, from a technical perspective aren't all that amazing. The frame rate dips, there's some screen tearing, object draw in, the models aren't as detailed as you might expect of games at this point and the vegetation when you compare to games like Uncharted lacks the shaders that makes them look more organic. However the art style is astounding. For it's technical short comings the game is beautifully constructed, whether it's the large landscapes, draw distances, characterisations, lighting and subtle blooming I find wondering around the game world really peaceful. I actually enjoy just aimlessly wondering around the land.

Quoted for the truth..I agree to all that your saying plus the environments sometimes feels a little "empty" to me.Yeah i got it too...i cant wait for the pc version.

[Soldier 95B]

Ah, okay. Never had that yet, but at least I know how to deal with it if I do. Does your dog keep chasing his damn tail and making the same growling noise he does when he seems an enemy? It's doing my head in. I've tried disciplining him when he does it to try and discourage him from doing it all the time. Every time he does it I think there are baddies about.

Yeah, mine has done that. It makes me look around for an enemy when he does it as well.

[jlippone]

Have anyone else had problems on killing the shop keepers?
I have tried several methods to reduce the price of property, but the kill is never counted.

[arfi-gorgona-O]

You can always make them follow you to the shadow monastery (or something) and sacrifise them there ^^

[Carsonal]

That's not just a disembodied voice, there is a source, I'm not going to say anymore than that but the loading screens talk about it if you pay close attention.

Ah ha!

I figured it out when I saw some strange little thing tacked to the wall.

[three3-times]

i only started playing this last night, turnt it off just after the music box. im new to fable, so i cant give an impression yet. know i know sparc loves it (its all hes playing atm, lol)
but the think is, i've got ALL the october gamers now and i dunno what to devote my time to?!!!! should i invest in fable 2???? (if its really that quick to clock?)

[Sparc]

The game is worth it and in fact the regions you get to later in the main story are even better than those at the start. I loved the Wraithsmarsh region. So damn atmospheric. Anyhoo...in short...get it

[jlippone]

You can always make them follow you to the shadow monastery (or something) and sacrifise them there ^^

Whatever I do the amount of previous owners does not change.
Well.. there's a lot of fun things to do so it's not that bad.

[Plazaskater]

i've had the framerate drop once or twice but its been pretty steady for me. i never played fable I so i can't comment on the similarites. and the main story is kinda short but that didn't bother me. I'm playing through it again. I have to play through it three times to get all the achievements anyways. overall though, i think its a fantastic game.

[krazey2k]

Sound effects problem had sound effects when I first played it now I dont

[Dave]

Alright, now that I've played Fable II for well over 15 hours, I'm going to make my own list like this.
---

I liked...

...being able to determine my own outcome in terms of greed, poverty, family, jobs, and an array of other opportunities.

...the environment, while not graphically impressive, is vast and beautifully rendered. It's not exactly a technical marvel, but the art direction is definitely astounding and gives you a sense of "Fable lore." If you know what I mean.

...having a dog that made finding treasures and dig spots that much easier. Without him, I doubt I would have found as much as I have thus far.

...the Pub games in general. It's great just relaxing on the couch and gambling my money away for nothing.

...being able to purchase property and turn myself into a real estate tycoon.

...having the option to do quests from either the evil side of things or the good side. This adds a dimension to the game that isn't found in any other titles to this extent.

I didn't like...

...how my dog seemed to get loss on the rare occasion and he wouldn't return until a load screen was finished. I also don't like how sometimes he doesn't have a neck.

...how a lot of the jobs get very repetitive and have no "staying power" in terms of entertainment. You mainly do them for gold, not because they're fun to do.

...the minor framerate dips during episodes of mass explosia. Having a screen filled with hobbes while I build a level 5 inferno eruption can cause some serious delays, but the visual effects of the spells are mesmerizing.

...how easy it is to max out abilities.

...how easy it is to fight and never get knocked out. It seems as if the game lacks any "real" challenge whatsoever. I understand that's not what Fable II is all about, but it would have been nice to have a bit of a challenge involved.

...the invisible barriers making it impossible to go to areas that I should be able to visit.

-----

Right now this is it off the top of my head.

[Black F 0 X]

The game is freakin' incredible they are thinking to hard instead of having fun

[taxman]

The only technical problems I can’t get over is the 2 player co-op…the camera is horrible. I died 5 times when playing it in co-op in a single battle cos I had no idea what I was doing. My girlfriend, who was playing the game for the 1st time never died.

Anyway, gameplay wise, the melee, range and magic one button combat is a stroke of genius. That’s how you make it interesting and easy to use any combo you want (Dennis Dyack should learn from this). I like the combat much more than Mass effect.

I am strangely addicted to the blacksmith mini game and been playing “real estate agent” more than the main quest. I earn a few gold, buy a place and rent it and wait till it cashes out (by banging barmaids and unchaste housewives ofcourse) and buy more shops, houses etc. I love how the game is so open. I raised the rent of the 1st few places I got and changed the system clock to 2025 and got a lot of gold and my evil scale went full. I looked horrible in horns. So I started being good to everyone, reduced the rent and trying to get in the good books.

I feel so conflicted between good and evil. I married Alex and then shot her dead after my 1st wife found out about her.

Fable reminds me of a lot like Jade Empire in terms of setting and combat. Am I the only one who think that?

[Soldier 95B]

I was "anti" co-op mode after having camera issues. However, I am starting to catch on to the camera placement (left bumper fixes it for the most part). If I keep clicking on the left bumper when the camera gets outta whack, I am back in. I still don't approve of this camera problem, nor am I saying it is acceptable. However, after spending some couch co-op time with my son last night, it made it fun. I could actually play the game with more than one person and enjoy it co-op finally.