Alongside Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts at the Microsoft press reception earlier this week was Lionhead's anticipated Fable 2. For the first time, I was able to test out all of the game's combat options, perform social interactions -- including playing with the adorable dog -- and glimpse the game's story, which once again begins during the hero's childhood. While much has been said about how Fable 2 innovates on the concepts in the first game, what I really took away from the demo is that the game is essentially just more of what was great aboutthe original Fable with plenty of refinements. In other words, it's good stuff with more good stuff added to it.Read on for new hands on details.
Here at X3F, we're party animals. No, no, no, scratch that, we're PAAARRRTAY ANIMALS! That's just how we roll and that's why we traveled back into Los Angeles last night to attend Microsoft's Fable 2 and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts reception. So, as part of the umbrella of news coverage we're churning out of E3, we thought we'd offer up all the pictures we took from the event similar to our Gears 2 reception pics. Which, coincidentally, was in the same venue. Enjoy the picture show and make your way to the break for a short (super short) off screen video of one of the Fable 2 Pub Game's "Wizard's Tower".
Rounding down our media blitz for the evening are screenshots and concept art for Fable 2. From developer Lionhead Studios, the upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive role-playing title is the sequel to the 2004 critically and commercially acclaimed game Fable on the original Xbox and PC.
Along with the screens you can take a sneak peak at the artwork for the Limited Edition of Fable 2, which doesn't look at cool as the standard edition -- but it promises a bunch of additional items for your extra cash. Enjoy the screens, make a wallpaper of some kind or if you're feeling really creative you can utilize your Photoshop skills and use the heads of the X3F staff to make hilarious photos. it'll be like payback since most of us are playing the game tomorrow. Fable 2 is set to release this October.
Finally confirming our long standing suspicion of online co-op, Fable 2 was a major focus for Microsoft during its E3 2008 press conference. The trailer shown, now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace, showcases the storyline that weaves throughout the game. A tale of vengeance where you can choose to seek revenge for the wrongs done to you or rise above and help those in need. Fable 2 is set to hit stores this October.
Microsoft is set to announce a 2 player online co-op mode for Fable 2 to go along with the drop-in drop-out offline co-op mode already announced at GDC 2008. The online mode seems to be the missing piece of details regarding the anticipated role-playing adventure. Expect to be able to play through the entire story with a friend when the game releases -- which is expected to be this fall.
Fable 2 from developer Lionhead Studios is the anticipated sequel to the popular 2004 role-playing game for the Xbox. Recently it was revealed the title would do away with a HUD and cutscenes to tell a more immersible story as well as the ability to create your own henchmen, to abide by your good or evil bidding.
[Update: We've got the details on how online co-op will function: In the game world you'll see purple floating spheres which represent the location of your friends in their own single player games. All you'll need to do is approach the orb, and you'll be able to bring your friend into your game. And this is available at any time, from the beginning of the game to the end]
Fable 2 community guru Sam has posted a hopeful (and obviously tired) developer blog over at the Lionhead community site. It seems like the crew at Lionhead has been in crunch mode for quite, working late nights with no days off. Sam notes, "The work is done, sort of. Not really, but most of it is." We feel for them, we really do, but we must admit that's not the interesting part of the blog. This is: "E3, next week. A lot is going to be happening. You'll just have to wait and see what exactly, but if any of you say 'this wasn't worth it' I will chase you and burn down your house." Dare we hope that our Fable 2 online co-op prognostication will finally come to be? We already scratched off one of our bingo spaces, here's hoping for another.
Oh, and the game will be playable at E3 and, yes, we will be playing it.
Posted Jul 11th 2008 11:30AM by Dustin Burg Filed under: News
Going HUD'less and doing away with pre-rendered cut scenes are oh so fashionable in the industry these days, so it should come as no surprise that Fable 2 will both both HUD'less and pre-rendered cut scene'less. OXM confirmed these deats after getting a chance to play a content-complete version of Fable 2 where they confirm that "non-interactive cinematics take up less than five minutes of game time" as well mention that no HUD will be used to "streamline the experience as much as possible." Really, who needs HUDs or cut scenes anyway? Eh?
Really want to play some Fable 2 co-op but don't have a character to import? No problem! Revealed in an upcoming OXM UK article, Peter Molyneux has made it known that second players will be able to create and customize their own henchmen in a flash. Plugging in a second controller brings up a menu which then allows the second player to create a new henchman and carry on playing. Sounds like just the ticket for some casual gaming friends who don't want to bother creating their own full character. The full Fable 2 preview will be in the next issue of the UK's Official Xbox Magazine, which goes on sale tomorrow. We expect details of that article will hit the net shortly thereafter, so stay tuned.
Doing some early morning detective work, we came across a set of three new'ish Fable 2 screenshots. Well, not from Fable 2 itself, rather from the recently announced Pub Games that, come August, will allow you to earn gold prior to entering the world of Fable 2. Go ahead, take a looksy at the Keystone, SpinnerBox and Fortune's Tower screenshots below. Hopefully Rewster won't be around to take all our chips. That lucky Rewster.
Moments ago, Microsoft announced specifics regarding the Fable 2 mini-games that were announced back during GDC that will allow gamers to earn gold for use in Fable 2 prior to the game's release. And you'll be pleased to know you can play the mini-games without spending any Microsoft points.
The Fable 2 "Pub Games" will release later this year (release date still pending) in August and will include three mini-games where players can earn gold for use in Fable 2. The three games include a craps / roulette type game called "Keystone", a slot machine game called "Spinnerbox", the press your luck style game called "Fortune's Tower" and a tutorial for all three games called "Shell". The best news is that all three Pub Games will be available for FREE with a Fable 2 pre-order. The games will also be embedded on the retail disc. Otherwise, you' have to option to purchase the pack off the XBLA for 800 Microsoft points when they release.
Microsoft also announced a Fable 2 limited collector's edition that'll retail for $79.99 and include a behind-the-scenes bonus disc, collectible Hobbe figure (w00t!), a LIVE trial card and other additional in-game content. Of course, the collector's edition will also include the Pub Games on disc.
Keeping tabs on the Lionhead Studios website, as we are wont to do, we noticed that the website was down for a significant amount of time last week for upgrades. It is now live once again sporting fancy new layouts and even a new feature or two. Undoubtedly, the biggest new feature is the Tales of Albion, which is essentially a digital story book. You can crack it open and read the first section entitled "Fragments of the Old Kingdom," which tells the story of Albion's past. Two other sections -- "Fall of the Heroes" and "Travels in Today's Albion" -- will detail events that occurred between the first Fable and Fable 2. If you're a Fable nut, go check it out.
Posted Jun 25th 2008 4:45PM by Dustin Burg Filed under: News
At the very beginning of Lionhead's latest Fable 2 Video Diary 6, Mr. Peter Molyneux can be seen sitting at his desk with pen and paper in hand, circling boxing-in the word "October" on a piece of paper. We actually spotted Molyneux's mysterious October hint yesterday when we posted the video diary, but now we're even more suspicious about its meaning after Lionhead refused to comment on the video or the October date when Eurogamer asked for more details. An official October Fable 2 release date? An elaborate trick by the Lionhead crew? Or does Molyneux simply utilize the stress relieving technique of writing down one's favorite month and boxing it in with a pen? You be the judge.
It's been a long time coming, but the sixth episode of the Lionhead's Fable 2 video diary is finally available. This installment deals with the art of Fable 2 and how it is integrated with the final product. We look at everything from concept art to texture mapping and also learn a few more details about how the game actually works. One note of interest is that not only are all the character morphs (strong or weak, fat or thin, good or evil, etc) making a return in Fable 2, but they can now also be influenced by a player's social behavior. We're not exactly sure how something like gambling influences appearance, but we're definitely curious.
Also revealed in the video is a new detail about how the game handles death. Of course, we already know about scarring, but the video mentions that once a player is completely surrounded by enemies (when you would traditionally 'die'), the player will take part in "one last heroic struggle" (complete with swelling music) that will send the baddies flying and give players a second chance.
Two final notes. One, the beginning of the video shows a fairly lengthy moment of Peter Molyneux taking his time circling "October" on a notepad. Make what you will of that. Two, we want our own Hobbe sculpture. Seriously. Find the video after the break.
IGN has posted a rather lengthy interview with Lionhead's Dene Carter, creative director for Fable 2. Alongside the interview is a brand new video that introduces us to some of the non-player characters (NPCs) in Fable 2. As fate would have it, the interview concerns NPC behavior (imagine that). Specifically, the interview talks about the three NPCs shown in the video: Arfur, Barnum, and Giles. While these characters aren't major NPCs in Fable 2 they still have a profound effect on the world of Albion and serve as "morality signposts" according to Carter. "Your interactions with them alter the fates of others, whole segments of the world and, in one case, the fate of their offspring," said Carter, further noting that interactions with NPCs as a child will have dramatic effects on the future, which players will uncover as they return to their childhood home as adults.
All in all, it sounds like non-player characters will play a much larger role in Fable 2 than they did in the original. If you're looking forward to the game, watch the video and be sure to read the full interview. It's good stuff.
Oh, Fable 2, we want to play you so bad. Why can't you be available right now? Sigh, if only it were true. It's not though, so we'll have to settle for a handful of new screenshots (peep them in the gallery below) and an update on the game's development from Lionhead. First of all, the next Fable 2 video diary is finished and will be released on June 24. The update also hints that there will be more news this month, though the only hint we're given is that it will be good for "fans of stories" and that there will also be "MORE" news after that. We're looking forward to the first piece of news (we are fans of stories after all), but the cryptic nature of the second bit of news has our interest piqued. Perhaps they will finally, finally, totally officially confirm that online co-op will be in Fable 2. At the very least, maybe we'll learn just when we can give Peter Molyneux our money and procure our own copy of the game.
Rounding down our media blitz for the evening are screenshots and concept art for Fable 2. From developer Lionhead Studios, the upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive role-playing title is the sequel to the 2004 critically and commercially acclaimed game Fable on the original Xbox and PC.
Going HUD'less and doing away with pre-rendered cut scenes are oh so fashionable in the industry these days, so it should come as no surprise that Fable 2 will both both HUD'less and pre-rendered cut scene'less. OXM confirmed these deats after getting a chance to play a content-complete version of Fable 2 where they confirm that "non-interactive cinematics take up less than five minutes of game time" as well mention that no HUD will be used to "streamline the experience as much as possible." Really, who needs HUDs or cut scenes anyway? Eh?
