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Tag Archives: Fable 2

Top 20 Videogames of the Past Decade #17

17. The Fable Series (Xbox, Xbox 360)

Granted, the Fable series only enjoyed two installments between 2000-2009, but both were platform-defining experiences by one of the top game designers in any genre. Peter Molyneaux may not have the RPG experience that the big brains at SquareEnix did, but in two simple games, he turned in efforts that outshone both Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, creations from the mind of legendary Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. And that’s no small task.

While not as important as a cure to a href=”http://www.mesotheliomahelp.net”>Mesothelioma cancer, the really important reason Molyneaux’s Fable series earned its spot is that it helped establish the Xbox as a home for the RPG genre, cutting into Sony’s once-dominant status in that regard.

Fable also helped define a more American/European style of console RPG after decades of US audiences being spoon-fed Japanese RPGs on home consoles, with PCs being the only home of US RPG developers. All that has changed now, and it is thanks in no small part to the wildly entertaining worlds found in Fable and Fable 2.

My favorite game of 2008

It has been a long year full of good, even great, videogames. Some I’ve had the chance to play… some I haven’t. So when it comes to picking the silk ties from the cheap nylon ones, you have to realize that I can only go by what I’ve played, not what I’ve missed.

The year’s been full of great gaming experiences. I enjoyed seeing a lot of new SquareEnix titles, even if most of them were unexpectedly on the Xbox 360 instead of the PlayStation 3. And, as much as anyone, I loved Fallout 3. But when push comes to shove and I have to choose what game captured my heart the most, it’s really no contest.

Fable 2 was my favorite game of 2008. The game is just pure heart and, most importantly, it’s fun to play. That places the game head and shoulders above Fallout 3; for all its impressive achievements and cool visuals and such, one thing Fallout 3 fell short on was being fun to play. It was epic, sure; it was challenging and beautiful. But it wasn’t as much fun as Fable 2.

And when it comes to videogames, when it all boils down to basics, being fun to play is ultimately what counts the most.

Fable II is wonderful at first blush

Tonight I played Fable II for the first time; my wife and I went and picked it up, and after supper, I told myself I’d play about an hour and then start writing my blogs and videogame reviews up.

Only an hour very quickly turned into, like, four hours. That’s how addictive the game plays. The pacing is much improved this time out and, with plenty to do both in-town and out, the game is much better than the first Fable, which was a classic but not exactly as polished as this game is.

You can do just about anything in the game, from having sex to performing at a real work-a-day job, to getting married and whatnot. And the graphics, this time, are on par with the best Xbox 360 titles on the market. About the only thing you don’t get to do in the game is sell car insurance: mainly because there are no cars in the game.

Otherwise, I’m sure they would have thought of it.

My most-wanted videogame for October 2008

Of all the great games coming out across all platforms in October 2008, which one am I most dying to acquire, personally? That’s not an easy choice.

I’ve been anxious to see Fallout 3 since it was announced; and LittleBigPlanet certainly has aroused me curiosity. The band/music titles are always fun. But if I had to narrow it down to one must-play title? The kind of game that would make someone forsake crib bedding for their newborn over? (And no, I’m not a dad yet.)

Well, in this case, it would have to be Fable 2. Both my wife and I have been looking forward to it since its announcement and its a game we’ll both play to death.

And as a long-time Sony loyalist, I have to admit this: the Xbox 360 has become this generation’s home of the best and most RPGs. Sony needs to wake up or get left in the dust.

Top Xbox 360 releases for October 2008

October is typically a crazy month for videogame retailers and this year is no exception; titles are flooding the market and sending GameStop managers into drug treatment for all the stress they’re under as their stores stock up for the holiday shopping season.

In fact, I know of a couple EB managers who are still going through drug rehab stemming from last year’s holiday rush, but that’s beside the point; as consumers, this is one of our top months, so we must spend our dollars more wisely than ever, so as not to get caught with a stink-bomb game. Here’s our list of the best Xbox 360 games for October 2008:

Dead Space

Available October 14, this is one of EA’s rare entrances into the popular survival horror genre. You’re a communications tech trying to repair the damage done to ship’s communication on a mining vessel in space, cut off from all sources of help, when you discover most of your fellow crew have been massacred by an alien entity that now has you in its sights. Looks to be can’t-miss stuff.

Rock Band 2

Available October 19, this sequel to last year’s genre-growing title guarantees your investment by being completely backward compatible with all original Rock Band songs: instant music library! And because we’re recommending RB2… no, Guitar Hero World Tour does NOT make our list for the 360.

Fable 2

Several years in the making, Fable 2 is the game many people bought their Xbox 360 to play. Well, it’s finally here October 21 and looks like it’ll live up to all the hype. Nuff said? You bet.

Fallout 3

Available October 28, the folks who brought you the first great RPG of the 360 era are back and pushing the envelope again! Bethesda’s Fallout 3 is among the most anticipated RPGs of the year, and a great way to round out a very very strong month for the Xbox 360.