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The second installment in a weekly series examining different methods of storytelling used in video games. This week we are looking at the increasingly popular trend of player choice.
"The grand adventure that is Fable has never really turned out to be that grand at all. Three games into the series and I’m still waiting for the RPG experience of a lifetime Peter Molyneux keeps promising me. Maybe he should stop posing for Turtleneck Monthly every chance he gets and check in on the development of his series."
Video games feature many characters and beast. "Dog" characters is a common theme among some video games. In the link there's the top ten best video game dogs of all time. Check them out.
In this week's edition of The Catch-Up, Kyree discusses several games that he can't bring himself to return to, regardless of how much positive press some may have received.
"With a rock-steady online following and a much more impressive game library than they had in the last console generation, Microsoft has been doing quite well for itself the last few years. Though the Wii still reigns in sales, and the PS3 is steadily catching up, the Xbox 360 has held its ground like a Spartan II facing an army of suicide grunts. What many people see as a superior selection of exclusive franchises has helped it maintain a steady spot in the hearts of hardcore and casual gamer..."
"Some games you just have to get on the day they're out. You just do. That said, a few games may be on your radar, but you feel you can wait for them a bit longer. You'll probably still buy them brand new, just for the feeling of having something that no-one else has had before. Now I've said it before and I'll say it again - gaming is not a cheap hobby. This is why pre-owned games are a fantastic way to make your money go further. You're getting the same game you would of purchased brand new ..."
With all the trending topics of hate Fable 3 has been victimized of as of late, one can only imagine if Fable 3 is really as bad as the complaints it has received.
The slimmer and quieter new Xbox 360 S model should bring plenty of new consumers into the Xbox 360 universe. Of course, buying the system won’t mean much without purchasing some games as well. Here are the top 10 exclusive games to buy along with the new Xbox 360 S model.
"A few weeks back my family and I were having a discussion about video games. I was going on a rant about how Heavy Rain was amazing for the sheer fact that it had so many potential outcomes. I made the mistake of saying “…the first time I beat Heavy Rain…” and the question was asked “Well…if you can have so many different endings then what constitutes beating a video game?”"
"BioShock was one of the greatest games of all time. Still, many gamers dropped their controllers in awe following the ending of the game. It was, in some ways, powerful but could have been so much better and more developed. The high point of the game is obviously the “star wars-esque” realization about Andrew Ryan and his demise but the awesome battle against Frank Fontaine is followed by a short sequence that depended on whether you were a heartless jerk or altruistic savior as far as the Li..."
On this episode we discuss Gears of War 3 leaked announcement and first details, Pokemon Black and White revealed, new Uncharted 2 DLC coming, and lots more in the news section, and for what we have been playing its God of War 3, Fable 2 and FIFA World Cup.
"Busy morning of updates today on Xbox Live as we not only saw the release of a system update that adds USB storage support but the opening up of the Blur multiplayer to everyone on Xbox Live as well. But the updates don't stop there as we also get Fable II and Kung Fu Panda added to the Games on Demand service."
This week only, Amazon.com is again offering "Buy 2 Xbox 360 Games, Get 1 Free" promotion. There's more than 35 Xbox 360 games eligible for this promotion including Fallout 3, Soul Caliber IV, Fable II Platinum Hits, Halo 3, Street Fighter IV, Ninja Gaiden II, Grand Theft Auto IV, Oblivion IV and many others.
"Recent comments from Peter Molyneux at GDC have offered gamers another slither of hope that Fable is returning to the PC.
"I can say, mystically, that I love the PC." Stated Lionhead's glorious leader at GDC, "I love what's happening to the PC, and I would love to see the Fable franchise on the PC."
Obviously this isn't any sort of confirmation that the Microsoft owned studio will be developing for anything other than the 360, but at least it shows that Lionhead are still serious about ..."
"For a limited time, you'll get three Xbox 360 Platinum Hits for the price of two. Offer valid February 7, 2010 through February 13, 2010, or while supplies last, when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. Limit one free Platinum Hit per household. To qualify, check out with three of the Xbox 360 Platinum Hits listed below in your cart. The price of the third qualifying Platinum Hit of equal or lesser value will be discounted during check out."
"The other night I was wasting time at our local GameStop looking over what new PC and Playstation 3 titles recently hit the shelves and I began talking to the sales associate about the state of the current console wars. He asked me to name my top 10 currently released Xbox 360 titles and see how many of them are exclusive to Microsoft’s system and how they compared to last-gen gaming; the following list is a result of that conversation. Remember that there are many other high-quality games av..."
Xboxliveaddicts’ reviewers look back on some of the best Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade games of the decade with scores of 9 or above in this feature.
"The latest Xtival event – Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE celebration designed to entice Xbox 360 newcomers with a glimpse of the special initiatives available to Xbox LIVE Gold Subscribers – is sent to commence this coming weekend, November 27th to November 29th 2009. Microsoft have begun detailing the attractions that will take place over the seventy-two hours of celebrations, in which all Xbox LIVE members will have their subscription upgraded to a Gold Subscription for the duration of the event."
Neoseeker editor Lydia Sung returns to the fray today with an editorial about the Xbox LIVE Avatar Marketplace, which, like many gamers out there, she feels is disrespectful to customers.
Not usually just one to rant though, she offers up three major suggestions Microsoft can make use of to please (mostly) everyone.
Check it out at the source, where you can also find a fashion show of sorts -- this may be your only chance to see our fearless editor in a storm trooper outfit.
Unleash your inner fanboy with Xbox 360 inspired Zune HD Originals. Custom backgrounds, colors and everything else you need to make your new Zune HD match your favorite Xbox 360 games.
Newly confirmed is a Game of the Year Edition of Fable II, which will arrive September 18 for Europeans. No stateside date is known yet, but the game will be packed with all DLC and retail for an unfortunate €64.99/£39.99 (~$65 USD), about $30 more than the Gears of War 2 pack revealed the other day.
While many game girls were blessed with perfect faces and supermodel bodies (or maybe they just had horny male designers), others weren't so lucky. Here are Screwattack's Top 10 Ugly Chicks in Games...
"Following the official unveiling of Fable III, Microsoft has announced that Fable II will be offered as episodic releases on Xbox LIVE. While Fable II has become the best-selling Role-Playing Game yet released on Xbox 360, there are apparently some who still have not experienced the magic and adventures that await them in Albion. The launch of Fable II: Game Episodes will debut September 29, 2009, with the release of the first episode for free download exclusively on Xbox LIVE."
"Homosexuality is still a major issue in the video game community, to the point where companies really scratch their heads and run around blind, formulating policies they think might work on paper until another Teresa or Gaywood comes along. What can they really do? If this group isn't angry with them, another one is. In all honesty, social change is probably the only way to guarantee acceptance on the gaming front, but we all know that takes a whole lot of time and tireless efforts by the ..."
IGN's 360 team has created a "Cheers & Tears" list comprising of 5 RPGs you should check out and 5 of them that your wallet should stay clear of. The Cheers section probably won't be much of a surprise to anyone, featuring Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fable II, Fallout 3, Mass Effect, and Lost Odyssey. The Tears list is made up of Dark Messiah, Phantasy Star Universe, Two Worlds of Might and Magic, Spectral Force 3, and The Last Remnant.
"Is Lionhead working on Fable III? In some capacity, almost definitely. Considering the success of Fable II, not developing a third game in the series would be throwing money away. But we didn't expect this kind of Fable III "confirmation."
So who's mentioning Fable III now? The New York Times, which is typically not wrong about much. More specifically, the Times "Weddings/Celebrations" section is talking about the next Fable game. Yes, Fable III is being mentioned alongside the announcemen..."
Major Nelson has posted up the Live Activity for the week of May 11th, and with that comes some regulars, along with some .. weirdness... such as the fact that the UFC 2009 Undisputed Demo has made it's way on the top ten for the fourth week in a row! I played it, I don't get it, how is this on the list.. *shrugs shoulders*. Though being out a year and a half, as well as having a sequel, Call of Duty 4 continues to carry a high rank on the list :D
"Welcome to the weekly round-up of DLC content expected to hit Xbox LIVE in the week ahead. We have tried our best of compile all the planned updates into one, so if we forgot any, please forgive us. Not much is being released this week, but Fable II fans should be happy at least."
"Gaming has a lot of "dirty words", and one I'd like to highlight today is "exclusive", a term personally I haven't seen explored from an editorial standpoint. In this Special, I'll go into the ups and downs of exclusives, non-exclusives, why anyone cares, and why developers go one way or another.
Even the most latent of gamers is probably aware of what "exclusive" refers to, but just in case, here's an explanation: due to a variety of reasons, a developer and publisher decide together thei..."
Fable II fans have probably been looking to this since GDC 2009. The second DLC, titled "See the Future," has been announced for a May 12 release, and if the new Lionhead Video Diary episode is any indication, the DLC looks complete and we shouldn't see any delays at this point.
Return to Albion with your dog to save the little people from some new threat, change your dog's breed, buy cool stuff from Murdo, learn a bit more about Theresa's past, yadda yadda. Some more details at the sour...
"One of the best features Fable II had going for it was the inclusion of man's best friend. Rain or shine, healthy or limping, your trusty dog would follow you anywhere you went in the world of Albion. Whether you were a paragon of virtue or a lousy roustabout prone to carrying on extramarital affairs in the local Gypsy camp and charging exorbitant prices for pies, your pup was always there to help sniff out hidden treasure and provide constant companionship. Now the world of Fable pet ownersh..."
"Ruffian Games have put out a final call for developers to join their merry band on a journey to make awesome games. Having established their studio in 2009 Ruffian's recruitment drive is near an end and the places remaining are few."
"Finally wed like to address a question that comes up a lot;
Will there be any more DLC for Fable II?.
The answer is quite simple;
Yes.
The team here in Guildford is working on some new content right now! More information will be shared in the coming weeks."
""Goodnight all. Must go to bed. Got asked to do voice in Fable 3 tonight. Subarashi. Oyasuminasia. Woss out."
Later asked to confirm by another Tweeter, Ross said, "Yes they are doing it. Charlie Brooker said he would do a voice for it to! Great fun!!"
Unfortunately for Ross, the industry generally isn't too pleased when an actor announces a product early. Thus it was this morning that we received, "Good morning. Today I must file DVDs, write a piece for The Times, apologize to Peter Mo..."
Here's a cuter top list for all the softer gamers out there. Bob Mackey of www.1up.com has put up a list of the top ten dogs of the gaming world!
The NPD Group before the weekend released the top twenty software and top ten software by platform lists for the January 2009 sales numbers, showing the top rankings in software sales for the month. The top ten rankings for accessory sales are also available.
Numbers are inserted where known.
Top 20 Games of December 2008:
01. [WII] Wii Fit (Nintendo) - 777k
02. [WII] Wii Play (Nintendo) - 415k
03. [WII] Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo) - 292k
04. [360] Left 4 Dead (Electronic Arts) - 243k...
Major Nelson has posted the Live Activity for this week, summing up what is being played online in the gaming world for Xbox 360. I am amazed that despite the release of World at War, this does not hinder the CoD4 community from taking down everything that isn't Halo 3. Real football (FIFA) manages to beat out American football (Madden), and surprisingly, people are still playing Grand Theft Auto.
A post over on WhatIfGaming on Saturday said they received a message from Fable II devs Lionhead stating a PC version would be "likely imminent" due to its success on the Xbox 360. Well, just six hours ago Lionhead "Community Dude" Woody responded as such:
"Fanboys have been plaguing the Internet for quite some time with their silly propaganda, heinous slander, & a laggard intellect that leaves the rest of us sane humans flabbergasted at the fact that these are the type of people we not only have to deal with on forums or blogs, but also in person typically at retailers where I purchase my games from. I just don't understand the logic behind being a fanboy, I mean the way I see it it's a lose lose situation. These companies do not compensate you..."
"Since the dawn of time, game players could be categorized as one of two things -- winners or losers. If you perform well, you win a game. If you dont, you lose. Its as simple as that. Lately, however, weve seen a paradigm shift; now we are seeing games you cant lose. Or, more accurately, games that dont have any clear, defined "losing" state. Were used to the tried-and-true "game over" screen, but what if you cant get a game over? Would it still be a game?"
"There has also been an update to Tales of Albion with the addition of Knothole Island. You can now find it on the Albion map in Today's Travels.
- The Ritual/Monks Quest Fixed the issue with the Abbott becoming unresponsive if you leave Oakfield before he finishes talking. This will fix the problem if youve already hit it, too.
- Rescuing Charlie/Rescue My Baby after rescuing Charlie, you can now able to interact with objects
- Guild Cave chest resolves any issues with previ..."
"The Bosslady of the Game Developers Conference has written a post updating us on what we can be expecting from the upcoming convention (March 23rd through the 27th).
Sure, we'll get great speeches from some of the Killzone 2 devs, some Lionhead people talking on Fable II, and something or other about Far Cry 2. The bigger news to come of this...
A designer and project manager working on Mass Effect 2!"
"Lionhead Studios confirmed today that the upcoming Downloadable Content for Fable II, Knothole Island, will be released on XboxLIVE! Marketplace on January 13th, 2009."
"Lets not forget about the console wars! There are sale charts, there are fanboys slamming other fanboys data, there are all sorts of ways to decide the winner of the console wars One of them is, of course, checking the exclusive games and thats exactly what were planning to do now. So, the battle is on: PS3 vs. Xbox 360 vs. Wii which console has the best exclusives?"
Patrick Klepek of multiplayerblog.mtv.com blogs about his unfortunate tale. He packed himself ready these Christmas holidays, he was ready to spend two weeks destroying his wrists, but he ended up doing absolutely no gaming at all! With this he poses the question, is he the only one?
"So here we are, on the 3rd January 2009, the tenth day of Christmas. Yes, Christmas seems like a long time ago now, but that doesnt mean there arent still plenty of bargains to be had in those January sales and thats exactly what The Twelve Games of Christmas is here for! A feature series running every day of the twelve days of Christmas, in The Twelve Games of Christmas Electronic Theatre runs through the greatest achievers in the videogaming year of 2008, month-by-month. Today being th..."
"After 12 months of playing and enjoying as many games as possible, its time to take a break, look back and choose the best of the best - the best 10 games of the year 2008. As you can imagine, its a really tough mission, especially because the overall quality of the games released this year was pretty high (there were exceptions, of course), but we must choose the game of the year here, at the Unigamesity!"
2008 had tons of crazy moments in the world of gaming, and EuroGamer has decided to run through the events that happened from July all the way to December. They include the E3 conferences, the new 160 GB PS3, and Wii Music.
To check out the months before, click here.
There is a whole lot to say about Fable 2, but frankly, I'd rather play it, and advise you to do the same. Whatever small flaws it may have, it remains an absolutely great RPG with many unique features; a kind of game that doesn't come around very often.
"I played through dozens of games this year and tried at least a hundred more. And through them all, I experienced some amazing moments.
As I have done in years previous, here are my picks for My 10 Favorite Moments in Video Games for 2008. (As spoiler-light as I can make them.)"
X-Play has a video up detailing the best games of 2008. Sure, it ain't over yet, but it seems like the best of it done with. Oddly, Fable II wins game of the year, but is beaten by Fallout 3 for RPG of the year. Huh?
Other categories include Best Handheld Game, Best Action/Adventure Game, and Best Music/Rhythm Game.
"Lionhead Studios have reported they have a Title Update for Fable II currently undergoing testing and waiting for finalisation, and have stated that everything is coming along nicely on the developers community website.
Alongside the revelation was a list of bugs which the Title Update will address, including..."
"Does "Rock Band" mastermind Alex Rigopulos see a cascade of colored lights in his sleep?
Does "Gears of War" creator Cliff Bleszinski hear snoring that makes him dream hes wielding a Lancer chainsaw?
Does "Burnout" architect Alex Ward dream that his car has flipped?
Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, Patrick and I asked a few game developers how their work in the gaming industry affects their dreams. We heard back from creators behind "Fable II," "Mirror's Edge" and "Alone In The..."
"
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"Lionhead Studios promised a big announcement this week for its Fable II, and they have delivered with the news that they are working on a DLC pack called 'Knothole Island', which will feature the new island locale as well as six new weapons, dozens of new potions, and a lot more.
The DLC pack will be released sometime in December and will have these key features:
"
"2008 Holiday Gift Guide
Need to gift a gamer? Everyone's a gamer nowadays, and every gamer has his or her own unique tastes. You can't buy the same game for your fratty jock friend that you bought for your nerdy, blister-thumbed nephew. Ah, stress! What to do!? Calm down; breathe into this paper bag, were here to help.
With the 2008 Holiday Gift Guide, we've sorted through the best gifts for gamers and divided them by player type. The jock? Try TNA Impact. The hardcore gamer nephew? Let..."
"Microsoft has sent out the codes enabling your Limited Edition content for Fable II today. Boxes of the LE version of Fable II were shipped off without the content codes due to some miscellaneous error, adding to the pre-existing feeling that consumers were being 'ripped-off', considering the LE had already been stripped of multiple goodies prior to shipping..."
The NPD Group has released their hardware and software numbers for the month of October, representing sales for the United States for the four week period of October 7th to November 4th.
Notables this month:
Hardware numbers:
WII: 830.0k (207.5k per week)
NDS: 491.0k (122.75k per week)
360: 371.0k (92.75k per week)
PSP: 193.0k (48.25k per week)
PS3: 190.0k (47.5...
Evidently the current ratings system just isn't good enough for the very outspoken anti-video game Senator Hillary Clinton (D).
A more or less comprehensive summary will also be posted on the ESRB website to accompany the usual rating found on the box.
Parents are then instructed to visit the website to read the exhaustive description also.
While it doesn't require much extra effort, it still feels unnecessary.
Check out the summary they provide for Fable II after the jump to se...
This week we see Yahtzee do the review of Fable 2 that we've all been waiting for and trust me, after watching it i have to agree with most of his statements.
"I don't think the chart needs to be explained, you have the games, you have how much space they would take on your hard drive, and then how much time you'd be saving (not listed on the chart is how much relief you will be giving your poor disc drive). No longer do 360 fanboys have the fodder of "oh you PS3 people have to install games blah blah" .. in the end, if you have a big enough hard drive, you know you'll be installing these games soon enough."
Lionhead over on the Fable II forums have said a big announcement is coming next week regarding the game, though they don't say what it is. Normally I can't stand rumours (just tell me when it is confirmed, darnit!), but I just can't say no to Fable. So, a PC version announcement, perhaps? Head designer Peter Molyneux has stated back in January there is no news "either positive or negative on a PC version just yet."
"...the letdowns of the first Fable are considered water under-the-bridge. The game, despite failing to live-up to the complexity that had been promised, was considered to be a worthwhile adventure through a pleasantly constructed world, nonetheless. And so, with Fable II, Lionhead Studios have been given the chance to expand this world; to create a believable Albion for the player to create peace, or wreak havoc. And throughout all of the adventures within, theres no denying that Molyneux an..."
For anyone interested in the music of Fable II, you might be happy to hear that it will be coming out on a soundtrack in a couple of weeks, on the 25th. A recent press release by Sumthing Else Music Works announced that they would be releasing the works of Russell Shaw and Danny Elfman closing on the end of November.
Sumthing Else has been releasing a number of soundtracks for many hit games, some of which can be previewed here, on their main page, including some music from Halo 3 and Hit...
"Anticipation has been the death of many a game. The marketing machine is switched on too early and the developers invariably fail to live up to the heights that the PR men claim. It was 18 months ago when I first heard of Fable 2 and being such a huge fan of the original I decided that I would take the plunge and grab a shiny new Xbox 360 in preparation for its launch."
Sexual innuendo aside - Clive Thompson over at Wired goes through an analysis as to why many gamers prefer playing by themselves in a world populated by thousands of NPCs (such as Fable II), as opposed to a world populated by millions of live users (such as World of Warcraft and most of the other big MMOs).
"People keep asking me if doing the installation is worth the trouble. Are loading times that much better?
I tested Microsoft's claim on four games, using my NXE-enabled 360. Above, you can watch the initial loading for "Grand Theft Auto IV," DVD vs Hard Drive. After the jump, check out loading comparisons for "Fable II" and "Gears of War."
...Each of the games took about 11 minutes to install and required between 6.6 and 6.8GB. It shaved off about nine to 15 seconds off the initial load..."
"Fable was one of the most hyped games of the original Xbox, and for good reason; what Molyneux promised gamers was nothing short of extraordinary. A complicated good vs. evil dynamic based on the players actions, the ability to shape the world and your appearance, again based on the players actions, and the ability to choose your own destiny would have made for one of the most original action RPGs of all time, had it ever been released. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I am pleased ..."
Well it seems like those who spent the extra money on the Fable 2 Limited Collector's Edition (like myself) just got ripped off. Many people probably heard that some copies were shipped without their DLC voucher card that allows you to download The Hall of the Dead dungeon, The Wreckager Legendary Cutlass Weapon, and the Spartan armor. So Microsoft's fix for this problem is to Email you the missing code. But with no way of telling the different editions apart anyone with a Live account can no...
Whether accidental or not, retail store chain K-Mart are getting heavy punishment for leaking copies of Fable 2 early. Not only are Microsoft demanding a $10 000 fine (small change really) the stores are now banned from selling Gears of War 2 for the first two weeks of its release, which will surely hurt them and greatly benefit there competitors.
ActionTrip releases a review on Fable 2, the newest game out the in Fable series! Reception of the game was positive, saying that everything had been hit up a notch and that you'll get the same feeling of fun that you got when you opened up The Lost Chapters. While there were several cons, the pros tossed it into their excellent category at 9/10.
Thanks for the review, guys!
"Lionhead Studios second attempt at the Fable franchise has finally been released. Fable 2 takes place 500 years after the events of Fable 1, and throws you into the shoes of a new character who also must save the world, this time with your trusty side-kick dog by your side.
So, the big question is, does Fable 2 live up to its hype?
Fable 2s story begins when your character is just a child who is homeless and being looked after by his/her older sister (you have a choice of male or fe..."
The top list of games sold this week has been released.
Wii- Wii Music, Wii Fit, and Wii Play all came out on the top of the Wii lists.
Xbox 360- Fable II (not surprisingly), Tales of Vesparia, and Far Cry 2 were at the top of the charts.
Playstation 3- In North America Dead Space came out on top, with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed as second. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (special edition), and FIFA 09 came out on top in other regions.
Go to the source to see the full...
Over at the Cinema Make-up School in LA, the web series titled 'Monster Makeover' lets you watch some talented artists turn people into horrible creatures that are found in video games. In the first video, they are using Left 4 Dead.
After each episode is put up, everyone has a chance to enter the 'Spine-Tingling' Sweepstakes, which gives you a prize package that includes an Elite version of the 360.
Looks like Microsoft is just in time for Halloween.
"Some things slip through the net during development, especially when a game is the size and scope of Fable II, the studio explained. Again, we can only apologize for this issue, but we are doing our best."
Rodney Gray was caught with hundreds of copies of Fable 2, Gears of War 2, and other unreleased DVDs/Games worth estimated over $100k.
As an employee for Technicolor - his company was responsible for the packaging, storage, and distribution of Xbox 360 Game discs and cases.
The games and DVDs were for resale on the black market.
With the economy crashing down and people losing their jobs, gamers in October and Christmas won't be able to buy that extra game they could before. With so many highly anticipated games coming out, (LittleBigPlanet, Fallout 3, etc) you probably won't be able to play every one you want.
Whenever you scrounge up some extra money for games, is it really worth playing if you can't experience it to the fullest?
The Xbox 360 exclusive has been getting alot of reviews from proffesionals, but what does the average gamer say about it? He praises the gameplay but critisizes the plot. Overall though he says that if you enjoyed Fable 1, its a no brainer, and if you like rpgs in general, you should pick it up.
Final Score: 8.5/10
"Lionshead Studios Fable II, the controversial game release du jour, has been the subject of a years-long smoke and mirrors campaign. Not a calculated one, mind you. Miscalculated serves as a better description. Series creator Peter Molyneux just cant seem to shut up about the game, about his hopes and dreams for it and for how we gamers ought to enjoy it. While hes certainly entitled to his opinions, we feel that all this talk has obscured the truth of what Fable II (not to mention i..."
GameDaily is a video gaming site like any other from a casual view. Reviews, news and editorials all delivering information to the gaming community. However some recent shoddy reviews have left the staff in a sticky point indeed. In a recent a Socom: Confrontation review the game had a number of points raised against it, most notably a lack of quick weapon change and the inability to set a timer on a game. However a player of the game has come forth and attacked Robert Workman's facts. Having...
"Fable II's Albion is a very different place from that experienced in the original title. Set a few hundred years later, human populations have exploded, technology has evolved, and true heroes have become rather rare. The world is rife with banditry, the misuse of black powder weapons is widespread, and the ancient mystical arts of magic (Will) is quite unusual indeed. In other words, Albion is ripe for a hero or villain of great renown to mold it to their ideals or whims, whatever the case m..."
It seems that Fable II is being very well received, which can mean nothing but good things considering the steep competition.
9.5/10
[Fable II forum]
The reviews for Fable II are starting to surface today, so thought I would share this one. It sounds as if the game is awesome, but some pop in and draw distance issues, along with a weird map system makes it less than perfect. Enjoy!
Thanks to Polish game site Polygamia, the first ten minutes from Fable II are here by presented. All of the audio is in English, but the text is in Polish. Just view the source to view the video. So, enjoy.
"PC
Backyard NFL Football '09, Barbie Horse Adventures: Riding Camp, Bully Scholarship Edition, Dead Space, Deer Hunter Tournament, Europa Universalis III Collection, Far Cry 2, NBA 2K9, NHL 09
PS2
Backyard NFL Football '09, Barbie Horse Adventures: Riding Camp, Disney Sing It, Disney Sing It Microphone Bundle, The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon, Monopoly, The Naked Brothers Band: The Video Game, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows - Amazing Allies Edition, SpongeBob SquarePants Featuring Ni..."
"It seems some lucky Australians managed to pick up Fable 2 today (still a week from release) from various Kmart stores around the country. Reminiscent of the fiasco surrounding Mass Effect, this leak could lead to the complete lifting of the recommended street date for the sale of Fable 2, currently scheduled for a 23rd October release."
"It never fails: every time I get an open-world game, I follow the missions for a little bit, but then wind up ignoring the storyline and simply running around testing the limits of the world. When playing Grand Theft Auto, I tend to just see how high I can get the police radar and then survive as long as I can. That's fun for a few hours, but after I get done, I really feel no reason to return.. The same goes for Assassin's Creed. I made it to the very first town, and after doing a few assass..."
A crossover between Lionhead and Bungie bears strange fruits. Available with the Limited Edition version of Fable 2, you can don your very own set of MJOLNIR Spartan armor, complete with a plasma sword and go chop up some Brutes...whoops I mean bandits.
It was announced a couple of days ago that Fable 2 would not include a co-op mode at release. However, good news everyone, it seems that the developers have managed to squeeze it into the game, in time for the release on October 21st.
Be sure to also take a look at four new screenshots below.
Between openly saying what's flawed about his game and giving it a personal review score, Fable II creator Peter Molyneux is a bit of an odd bird. Well, review copies have been sent out, and he's attached a little note to them with a certain special request of journalists. Read it in the quote, and some more interesting bits at the source, if you like. Bless you, Molyneux!
With the Tokyo Game Show 2008 fast approaching, Microsoft have released the list of games that they will be showcasing which includes 23 playable games and 3 videos. Big-name games such as Star Ocean 4 and Fable 2 will be on hand at the event and can be played by those willing to wait in the queue for hours...
Be sure to check the full list of playable games at the source.
Lets hope that you didn't pre-order the Fable 2 Collector's Edition with the dream of playing with the Hobbe figure, obtaining the "Fate" cards, and having that shiny premium box, because they are being removed from the package. The good news it the loss of the extras also means a price cut.
Courtesy of blog Wii @ Everyday comes the scans from the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu for this week, with new game announcements and more images of those known upcoming games.
Games featured:
Fable 2's technical art director Ian Lovett revealed the visual aspect of the second installment of the game was partly influenced by famed film director Ridley Scott (possibly most known for Blade Runner, but also for more recent works like Kingdom of Heaven, Matchstick Men, Hannibal, and Gladiator). Who would've thought?
"I know you're all eagerly awaiting Fable II's release on October 21, as am I. Hell, I used the image for my personal Gamercard on here a couple of weeks ago and it wasn't because I was "asked" to.
We just got word that while we will be able to play the single player and local co-op on day one, they are still making tweaks to the online co-op. Don't worry, it is definitely still coming. Seriously, as a gamer I'm glad they're taking the time to make it right instead of just rushing it out th..."
Lionheads Fable II is done and has entered the manufacturing process, according to a quote from Peter Molyneux to Videogaming247.
Molyneux states:
It is [done] as of 7pm last night
We are now officially gold. Its released to manufacturing. Fable is absolutely finished and done and dusted.
"Peter Molyneux: Nintendo did a brilliant job of doing that at launch with games like Wii Sports and Wii Play - maybe Fable 2 is a defining title. But you are talking to the proud father of this game, so you can't ask me to be tremendously objective.
I think everything I've said about uniqueness, and invention, and bringing people together that haven't played games before - that really applies to LBP. You've never seen anything like it before, and everybody that touches it says it's a uniq..."
It has been revealed that the cheat/glitch to acquire more gold by some crafty button-mashing in Fable 2: Pub Games was actually placed there intentionally. However - gamers who have cheated the system can expect to have "a surprise waiting for them" when the load the actual game later in October after its release.
My guess is they will automatically start with a few points towards dark/evil - but if that's the sacrifice for a bit of extra gold, its worth it in my book.
Peter Molyneux, the boss of Lionhead, talks about Fable II's flaws. He says the game has not so great lip syncing, the animation can be a bit dodgy, and the player's dog gets a bit fractured sometimes, to list a few things.
However, he is very proud of the game, and has previously rated it 9/10.
Sam Van Tilburgh, the senior community manager for the Lionhead official forums, has been there ever since the release of Fable and is about to experience rabid fans' opinions about Fable II.
You might think his job is easy, but when everyone starts getting their grubby hands on the game and start complaining on the boards, things can get out of hands, partly because of the vocal Fable fans.
Six new screenshots have been shown off from Lionhead, showing the character custom customisation mode. Get ready to laugh at some of them (especially this one). They show how you can change your clothing, hair, facial hair, jewelry, and so on. The game is out October 24th.
"Fable II is "the best, most complete game I've ever worked on," says mastermind Peter Molyneux, just as the RPG sequel is said to have now gone gold at Lionhead's Guildford HQ.
Speaking in an interview with CVG's paper cousin, Xbox World 360, Molyneux says he hasn't made "the same mistakes I made in the past," with the second Fable.
"Black & White, The Movies, Dungeon Keeper, pretty much every game I've ever done has had interesting features thrown in to the pot without worrying what th..."
This is a review of Xbox Live Arcade's recent Fable II Pub Games. It discusses the obvious pitfalls of rushing a game to market that should have been more deeply playtested and double checked.
There even exists exploits that allow players to gain more gold through a basic simple gaming flaw, allowing the player to gain more "gold" than they normally would.
Read on for more...
"The folks at Xbox 360 Achievements have discovered the complete list of achievements for Fable 2.
The Paragon -15g
Reach 100% Good or Evil.
The New Hero -50g
Defeat your first great opponent.
The Whippersnapper -25g
Collect 5 gold pieces during the Hero's childhood
The Pooch Pamperer -5g
Play fetch with your dog.
The Archaeologist -5g
Dig up something your dog has discovered
The Dog trainer -5g
teach your dog a trick.
The Persuader -5g
..."
In order to make money in Fable 2, you're going to have to do a variety of different jobs. After you get the money, you'll be able to gamble it, either making more or blowing it all away in Fable 2 Pub Games.
Fable 2 Pub Games will be a "tie-in" with the Xbox Live Arcade and will open August 13th, the same date Bionic Commando Rearmed comes out. It will cost 800 MS Points, which is $10. You can also get it from retailers if you pre-order Fable 2.
The highly anticipated RPG-game titled Fable II has finally been confirmed by Microsoft with a fall release date of October 21st in North America with the UK getting it three days later on the 24th.
If you don't already know the plot of Fable II from playing Fable, you're a young man traveling in a fantasy world and you will be able to choose if you're going to turn out good or bad. You will also be able to choose to play as boy or a girl, as well as having a loyal pet with you.
"When asked if his thoughts have been on MMOs recently, Fable 2's outspoken creative director gestured to his PR minder and said "Well, there's someone in this room to make sure that I don't say too much about that question.
"I have been looking at MMOs," he added. "I love the interaction, and I'm fascinated by the idea of really feeling secure and cool enough to actually do it."
When asked specifically if he had thought about making an MMO and about what a Lionhead MMO would look like, ..."
Kotaku has revealed what will be in the Fable 2 Collector's Edition once it releases and it will contain a Hobbe figure, more in-game content, a documentary which shows the making of Fable 2, and a trial Live account. The Collector's Edition will cost $80.
"Following a bit of detective work, Gamespot has reported that Fable 2 is likely to be released in October this year. In a developer diary posted on the Lionehead Studios website, designer Peter Molyneux can be seen scrawling 'October' in a notebook. This follows his earlier comments stating Fable 2 would be released "when the leaves turn brown...when the evenings draw in, and it gets a little chilly, but not very chilly at night."
A bit more Fable 2 love for you, in picture form. The game is looking gorgeous, is it not?
Also, G4TV reports some new details: you can play as a female, get people knocked up, have protected or unprotected sex, you can have (and train however you like) a pet dog, and there's an offline co-op mode. I freaking love this game.
According to Wikipedia (the reference didn't match up, but it seems like something Molyneux would say), the game will be released "maybe when the leaves have a slig...
"Lionhead is giving you the opportunity to be in Fable 2, but like with most of these wonderful contests, there will be some work involved! To put it simply, youll need to dress up and pose like a hero of Albion would, take a picture, and send it into Lionhead. If you win, youll be featured in the paintings that adorn the walls of the most luxurious residences in Fable 2.
Go to the source for more information."
Six publishers showcased more than 40 new titles for Microsofts Xbox 360 in San Fransisco and Los Angeles, Gears of War 2 being in the presentation, as well as Fable 2.
However, Halo Wars, a real-time strategy game said to have been released late 2008 had not been confirmed, which means Gears 2 will be the biggest Xbox 360 game this year.
Creator Peter Molyneux says a demo for Fable 2 is quite unlikely, partly due to the nature of the game. But on the plus side, a bunch of screenshots and a trailer have been released.
"That screenshot that you can see over on the right is the latest from Fable 2, Lionhead's RPG sequel.
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It's a graveyard, with gravestones, and eldritch mist hovering above the ground. We want our mummies.
There's a lot riding on Fable 2, and anything less that an RPG revolution will be met with huge disappointment.
But the latest demo didn't just hint at massive features, it actually showed them occurring in-game. It's got us sold - Fable 2's going to rewrite the boo..."
The first images of the new Fable 2 prostitutes have been released. I had to laugh at some of them, they're the most strange looking things I've ever seen in my life. Still, I'm expecting Fable 2 to be a great game, the original Fable was excellent. Follow the source to see the images of the prostitutes.
A three part video of the co-op feature in Fable 2. It seems you'll be able to import characters who will retain gold, renown, and experience from what they do during the co-op session.
Pt. 1
Pt. 2
Pt. 3
Also Molyneux plays a female character!
The award-winning Fable arrived exclusively on the Xbox back in 2004 to much acclaim and not a little head shaking from gamers who felt cheated by the lack of some of the game's much publicised features.
Creator Lionhead Studios is looking to address those disappointments with the upcoming Fable 2 on the Xbox 360.
"Peter Molyneux OBE must be at the stage in his career where he thinks hes earned enough respect from his peers to be in a position where he can take a jibe at them and they'll not retaliate because, y'know, he has been around forever and he is responsible for the likes of Theme Park and The Movies. However, GamerSquad isn't sure many will take his most recent comments too lightly.
"It's amazing for a role playing game, because most role playing games are s**t! Oblivion was a great game, b..."
"Are you the kind of gamer who leaves titles half-finished? If so, you officially irritate Lionhead chief Peter Molyneux, who says he "hates" how only a small percentage of people complete games.
With this pet peeve in mind, Molyneux today unveiled a dastardly plot to make sure that everybody who buys Lionheads Fable 2 on the Xbox 360 goes on to finish it."
"The fact that this year's E3 video game conference was supposed to be a lower-budget affair than years past was a point seemingly lost on Microsoft, which rented out an entire (big, nice, fancy, expensive) hotel in Santa Monica to show off its wares. While the entire lineup consisted of more than a dozen titles spanning both Xbox 360 and PC, three in particular caught our eye: 'Fable 2,' 'Mass Effect' and 'Halo 3.'
'Fable 2'
The earliest along of the lot was 'Fable 2,' from gaming legend ..."
The first Fable was a damn good RPG, with lovable features that we never saw before it's release. It's major flaw, however, was that it was one of the shortest RPG's ever made. It had about 10-15 hours, minusing the other kinds activities you'd choose to do at the side. This game looks promising as it's previous one, and all I really ask for is a longer experience.
The video goes through the gameplay, as well as some actions with the 360 controller. Click Launch Player to view it on a larg...
"Being a hero or heroine, fighting, questing, and adventuring are central to Fable. With the upcoming release of Fable 2, you'll be one step closer to fulfilling your dreams of being good or evil, getting married or remaining single, and finding out what it means to experience unconditional love in the world of Fable.
Each installment of the video diaries will walk you through the development process and will answer questions fans have been dying to know such as, "What is the deal with the ..."
![Box shot of Fable II [Europe]](http://i.neoseeker.com/boxshots/R2FtZXMvWGJveF8zNjAvUm9sZS1QbGF5aW5nL0ZhbnRhc3k=/fable_ii_frontcover_small_8g1YSqLINHImMKV.jpg)