It's a game of choice, as established by its risk-taking but somewhat flawed predecessor, and this focus expands in the world of Fable 2 -- not only can you take the path of good or evil, but you can also choose someplace in between. How Fable 2 accommodates these decisions is found in the open-yet-focused world of Albion, a setting for people who like freedom -- in moderation. 

Similar in scope to games like Oblivion, but not quite so vast that you ever feel lost, Fable 2 manages to strike a clear line between its primary quests and its side quests by detailing which is which in its menu system. If you ever become distracted by the need to make money (which you will) and get sidetracked by a job (bartending, blacksmithing, chopping wood, gambling, etc.) or a side quest, Fable 2 -- unlike some RPGs -- allows you to check up on your primary objectives and see what your quest status is, where you need to go, and what you've already accomplished. Getting to any quest is as simple as finding it in the menu and confirming that you want to teleport there (assuming you've discovered the region it's in). Of course, for people who prefer to do it the old-fashioned way, you can simply run from zone to zone while exploring and fighting along the way. The purely optional glowing "bread crumb trail," which always points you in the right direction, keeps you from getting waylaid. While it may sound like it makes things too easy, it's merely convenient -- especially when you're constantly roaming off the path to sniff out treasure chests and "dig spots" found by your faithful canine companion (more on him later). With treasure chests, dig spots, and even secret underwater areas in bubbling points scattered around ponds, oceans, and lakes, it could be really easy to get disoriented chasing after Fable 2's many temptations. So, simply put, the glowing trail is a real lifesaver, especially in underground caverns (which, while mostly linear, occasionally offer multiple paths to explore). This is probably the reason that Fable 2 ditches the tiny overhead map that fans of the original Fable will fondly remember. Now, if you want to check the area map, you need to pause the game to pull it up in the menu, which wouldn't be too bad if the menu screen wasn't so laggy. The glowing trail is useful in a lot of ways, but if you're simply trying to get your bearings and figure out where you are in relation to, oh, the barbershop, you'll soon wish you had a minimap in one of the unused upper corners of the screen. The sluggish menus also make simple tasks -- like using multiple status-enhancing potions in a row -- quite cumbersome, as you have to re-enter the menu system after using each item. This gets pretty annoying.

Menu gripes aside, another of Fable 2's big additions is the aforementioned pooch partner (who you can name -- and rename -- once you purchase a collar for him). Your pet is useful in a number of ways; the first and most obvious is that he's good at sniffing out treasure and dig spots (which, with a spade, results in more treasure). This might suggest that it takes the challenge out of finding free loot, but when you're dealing with Fable 2's lush, overgrown woodland areas, finding the lush, moss-covered treasure chests can be quite challenging. You can improve your dog's loot-finding abilities (as well as his ferociousness in combat) using training books

The highly improved combat system is where Fable 2 really shines. It's glorious to behold, and this is where the game really separates itself from the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republics and the Legend of Zeldas of the day. Featuring excellent melee-combat mechanics and an initially awkward but eventually elegant five-tiered spell system, Fable 2 keeps its fights out of menus. The combat and magic work so well because they're carefully entwined. The magic system features five tiers, all controlled by holding down the B button to charge between the five tiers (the higher the tier, the longer the charge). By using these Will spells in tandem with melee attacks (a quick tap to activate a tier 1 Time Control area-of-effect slowdown paves the way for bullet time-style carnage with swords, ranged attacks, or even more magic), Fable 2's combat proves incredibly flexible -- and as customizable as every other facet of the game.

The script is clever, well written, and frequently hilarious. Even the most serious characters often punctuate their ominously intoned orations with things like "Friday is poker night," which sounds mundane on paper, but in the right place, it's a genuine laugh-out-loud moment. The consistently awesome voice acting really helps -- even the tiniest, inconsequential peons in the world of Albion are rich with character and wit, and for the primary characters, the voiceovers are peerless.
 


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