Mini-Review: Fable 2

Until recently, I wasn't able to play this top-seller due to its XBox exclusivity. But, that all changed a week and a half ago when I got one of Microsoft's machines myself. Since then, I can say that I've completed 95% of Fable 2 (including main story, most quests, all the gargoyles, 41/50 silver keys, most real estate, etc.). In fact, the only things I haven't done are finish my real estate collection with a few houses scattered around Bloodstone, find nine out of fifty silver keys and complete the Brightwood Tower quest (I've already purchased the tower). There are a smattering of achievements I haven't received yet, as well.

Anyway, long story short, I feel I now have a pretty good idea of what's going on...at least, enough to give a run-down of pros and cons.

Pros:

• Excellent art direction, pretty visuals
• Your dog
• Great replay value, even being able to continue playing after you've completed the main story
• You're able to make decisions that matter, both about your Hero and the world around you
• Really nice battle animations with both physical and magical attacks
• A main story that focuses on...well...the story and how the decisions you make will change your life instead of focusing on intense, difficult battles

Cons:

• Bugs, bugs, bugs - they're everywhere!
• Why do villagers insist on invading my personal space and my own home? Also, too many of them talking at once.
• The main story felt a bit less than epic, mostly because it was so short

I think most of my problems with Fable 2 revolve around bugs. There are more bugs in this game than I've seen in all the other games I've played over the last 15 years combined. That's not good. It compounds the issue when Lionhead Studios and Microsoft are taking their sweet time getting out a patch to fix these major bugs. That patch should have come very, very soon after game launch. Luckily, I didn't run into any game-breaking bugs (I know they're out there!), but I have seen my fair share of highly annoying bugs that add frustration to the game play where there should be none.

All-in-all, though, Fable 2 was an amazing gaming experience. Having missed out on the original Fable because, well, the original XBox sucked compared to the PS2 of last generation gaming, I'm glad I got the chance to give this second installment its shot and its definitely up there with Oblivion (speaking of bugs, right?) as one of my favorite Western RPGs.