Gambling Fable 2
Publisher: Lionhead Studios / Microsoft Game Studios
Release Date: October 2008
ESRB Rating: M (for Mature)
Consoles: XBox 360
Genre: Action RPG
The Bloodstone game is by far the easiest way to win this achievement. When you begin the game, go into the bank and take out about 3000 chips. Place you arch bet on 3, then each round place bets. The big lure of Fable II Pub Games is that you get a two months head start to pile up gold before the game drops. The big drawback is that it's gambling, not a Pell grant, so you could wind up. After you buy the inn, go into Fable 2 Pub Games, and merge your Fable 2 character with the character that has the extremely high debt. Save the game, then return to Fable 2. You should gain all the money you owe in debt as gold because you now own the inn that one of the game masters is in. The XBLA title, set to arrive in August, offers three gambling mini-games to suck away your time (and your characters' cash) until Fable II hits stores later in the year. Here's the cool thing: the. Created by famed game designer Peter Molyneux, Fable 2 for Xbox 360 features an epic story that picks up 500 years after the first game. It offers an open world environment giving players a massive amount of freedom to explore and play as they please, with every decision made contributing to the game itself.
My Rating:9.5 – High Praise for an addictive adventure!
MHG: Must Have Game – a Must Have Game is a game that is so good you simply have to play it or have it in your game library. These games are singled out for their content, innovation, entertainment level, or play experience. Fable II has been designated a Must Have Game based on the strength of our experience playing it, and the 100+ emails we have received requesting a Game On! review.
Introduction
Fable II is one of the games that appeared in our annual Christmas Video Game Guide (2008) in the paper – and at the time it received a rating of 8.5 – mostly due to some serious game-breaking bugs that impacted play. Those bugs were fixed shortly after the piece went to press, and since that time the creators have added two DLC expansions that increased the entertainment value of the game considerably.
In addition to the DLC, there was also a stand-alone game available on the XBox Live Marketplace – Fable II Pub Games – that had limited interaction with the game, but added to the anticipation of its release by allowing the players to play the gambling games from Fable II months before it was released – and as long as they did not cheat, even allowed the player to transfer their winnings into the game!
Our rating of the game increased by a full point in part due to the above improvements, and in part due to the intensely addictive gaming world presented in Fable II – a world that has not lost any of its pull even after nearly two years of play.
As a sequel Fable II faithfully followed in the footsteps of the original, but thankfully the folks at Lionhead took the time to correct some of the issues that affected the first game, and made some changes that redefined the system of play in positive ways. Unfortunately at release date there were serious issues with the game that impacted nearly a quarter of the players, relating to certain older models of the XBox 360 – and it soon became obvious that Lionhead was aware of these issues and chose to release on the targeted date anyway, planning to correct the problems afterwords by issuing patches online.
That decision caused many reviewers and critics to jump on both the studio and the game, recommending that consumers wait to purchase it until after it was fixed to send a message to the studio – a message that clearly was received. Happily these are no longer issues of concern for the player – the bugs have been fixed, and new content has been released, so if you have yet to experience the fascinating world of Albion, now is a great time to do so!
The Story
The events of Fable II take place in Albion roughly 500 years after the events of the original game, in an era that very much resembles the 1600’s in England – footpads roam the roads, firearms are primitive, and the sword is still the primary weapon for defense. Communities center around larger cities rather than towns, and castles are still the seat of power in most areas. The aristocracy is at the top, and the middle classes are a narrow band within society.
The changes to society in the 500 years since the original adventure include some major differences – the world is a safer place now, and law and order tend to prevail. The Hero’s Guild no longer exists – though vestiges of it can be found in ruins throughout the land – and firearms have a more prominent place in defense. The cities have grown larger, and the population more affluent.
It is partly a result of this that has created the circumstances that now threaten the world – the lack of heroes has allowed a dark force to build in the world, inhabiting some unlikely places, and as the game unfolds your character – themselves a hero – must seek out and recruit the last few remaining heroes in order to build a party that can fight the evil that now threatens Albion. I do not want to say too much or give too many details away, since the threat centers around a major plot-point of the game, and it would be a shame to spoil that for you!
As the game begins, you find yourself working to earn the five coins that you need to buy a curious relic from the traveling merchant, a relic that you are assured by a trusted source may be precisely what the con-man says it is, though he is not aware of this. Once you have acquired this relic, events quickly unfold, thrusting you on to a different path in life than the one you had been on, and changing your life – in many ways for the good – as you grow into adulthood, and begin your grand adventure.
The Changes
Morality plays a major role in the game, with the player’s choices having direct and visible results in the game. For instance a good player will eventually earn a halo-like symbol over their head, and their appearance changes – fair hair, tanned skin, and an over-all healthy glow. Their dog companion also changes – their coat will turn golden as a result of the good alignment of their owner. A bad player will have dark hair and features, and an ugly complexion with red veins running all over their body, and their dog companion’s coat will turn black as a result of their evil ways.
In addition to appearance changes relating to morality, the player’s character appearance also changes as a result of what they eat in the game – food being the alternative to potions for restoring health – as a diet rich in fat will make the character fat, and healthier food choices such as vegetable, fruit, and tofu, will keep the character thin. Improving the character’s stats also impacts their appearance – adding muscles, height, or in the case of magic skill, blue glowing patterns on their skin.
Quests and missions are no longer the method for gaining money in the game, having been replaced with jobs. The player can seek out employment as an Assassin, Bartender, Blacksmith, Bounty Hunter, or Woodcutter, and can also find money in treasure chests and with the aid of their dog, in hidden spots that the dog can detect and dig up as they adventure together. Items found can be sold to merchants in towns, and the player can purchase and rent out property in the game, becoming a landlord. Gambling is also a path to wealth in Fable II, but the games found in pubs can also be a coin sink if the player fails to take the time to learn how they work and what strategies apply best.
Co-operative play is perhaps the most significant change in the game – and once connected to XBox Live, a player can have friends join in their game, dropping in and out at will without this impacting game play. In addition to being able to earn money and obtain items and experience in the game that a player can then bring back to their own game, co-op play allows both players to earn special Achievements that they cannot earn in solo play!
Game Play
Fable II is ideally suited for casual play – with missions and quests that can be completed in bite-sized chunks. The player can choose to play either a male or female hero, and that choice has some interesting influences on the game play experience. Starting the game as a child, the player is exposed to several events that help to form the personality and the outlook of the main character, among them an event in which the player befriends a stray dog who ends up becoming their adventure companion when the main game unfolds.
One aspect of the game that has drawn criticism is its relationship structure: in Fable II the player can have relations with other in-game characters, date, and even get married and start a family. The criticism comes mostly from conservative groups, upset by the fact that these relationships can be same-sex, and there are opportunities for bigamy, adultery, and group sex, and polygamy. The game emphasizes the need for safe sex – condoms are readily available in it, and failing to use one can cause the player’s character to contract an STD!
Conflict in the game is a combination of traditional swords and sorcery, and the assistance of a core group of friends who will eventually help you to defeat the evil forces and become the ruler of the Kingdom!
DLC Packs
Knothole Island: The first DLC pack for Fable II was released in January 2009, and includes a new area to explore – Knothole Island – and mysteries to solve! There is a new map, new quests, new items, and new Achievements worth 100 GP! The expansion pack is required for play in the new areas, and costs 800 Microsoft Points on the Live Marketplace. Players wanting to play in the new lands with a friend who has purchased the expansion but that who do not want to buy it can download a free version that allows them to play, but does not award Achievements and certain items to the player.
The first DLC expansion to Fable II was criticized for being too short, and there may be something to that, but casual play and taking the time to enjoy the experience allows you to stretch out the experience and value.
See the Future: The second DLC pack, released in May of 2009, priced at just 560 Microsoft Points, includes an additional 13 Achievements worth 250 Gamer Points. The expansion has some interesting game altering additions – for instance using a set of potions, the player can now change the breed of their dog to either a Bloodhound, a Dalmation, or a Husky!
The main focus of the DLC is a series of quests that relate to three cursed items that you purchase from the traveling merchant. These quests add a very interesting dynamic to the game, and if you are a fan of the Fable series, this is a must-have!
My Take
The version of the game that I played was the original with the two DLC packs added on to it via the Marketplace, but in September of 2009 the folks at Microsoft released a Game of the Year Edition of Fable II that includes both expansion packs in the game CD – and that would be the one I would recommend.
I rated this game a 9.5 which is a strong rating and it deserves it! I also rate this a BUY not Rent, because of the amount of time you will spend playing and the excellent re-play potential present here with or without the expansions. Like Fallout 3, Fable II has a large and open world and a great storyline that engages the player. From an entertainment point-of-view it is one of those rare games in which the price of admission is far less than the value received.
Fable 2 Gambling
– – – – – – – – –
A Review Copy of this game for the XBox 360 was provided by Microsoft.
Codes for the DLC Packs were provided by Microsoft.
This game has been claimed!
Copyright © 2010 CM Boots-Faubert.
Publisher: Lionhead Studios / Microsoft Game Studios
Release Date: October 2008
ESRB Rating: M (for Mature)
Consoles: XBox 360
Genre: Action RPG
My Rating:9.5 – High Praise for an addictive adventure!
MHG: Must Have Game – a Must Have Game is a game that is so good you simply have to play it or have it in your game library. These games are singled out for their content, innovation, entertainment level, or play experience. Fable II has been designated a Must Have Game based on the strength of our experience playing it, and the 100+ emails we have received requesting a Game On! review.
Introduction
Fable II is one of the games that appeared in our annual Christmas Video Game Guide (2008) in the paper – and at the time it received a rating of 8.5 – mostly due to some serious game-breaking bugs that impacted play. Those bugs were fixed shortly after the piece went to press, and since that time the creators have added two DLC expansions that increased the entertainment value of the game considerably.
In addition to the DLC, there was also a stand-alone game available on the XBox Live Marketplace – Fable II Pub Games – that had limited interaction with the game, but added to the anticipation of its release by allowing the players to play the gambling games from Fable II months before it was released – and as long as they did not cheat, even allowed the player to transfer their winnings into the game!
Our rating of the game increased by a full point in part due to the above improvements, and in part due to the intensely addictive gaming world presented in Fable II – a world that has not lost any of its pull even after nearly two years of play.
As a sequel Fable II faithfully followed in the footsteps of the original, but thankfully the folks at Lionhead took the time to correct some of the issues that affected the first game, and made some changes that redefined the system of play in positive ways. Unfortunately at release date there were serious issues with the game that impacted nearly a quarter of the players, relating to certain older models of the XBox 360 – and it soon became obvious that Lionhead was aware of these issues and chose to release on the targeted date anyway, planning to correct the problems afterwords by issuing patches online.
That decision caused many reviewers and critics to jump on both the studio and the game, recommending that consumers wait to purchase it until after it was fixed to send a message to the studio – a message that clearly was received. Happily these are no longer issues of concern for the player – the bugs have been fixed, and new content has been released, so if you have yet to experience the fascinating world of Albion, now is a great time to do so!
The Story
The events of Fable II take place in Albion roughly 500 years after the events of the original game, in an era that very much resembles the 1600’s in England – footpads roam the roads, firearms are primitive, and the sword is still the primary weapon for defense. Communities center around larger cities rather than towns, and castles are still the seat of power in most areas. The aristocracy is at the top, and the middle classes are a narrow band within society.
The changes to society in the 500 years since the original adventure include some major differences – the world is a safer place now, and law and order tend to prevail. The Hero’s Guild no longer exists – though vestiges of it can be found in ruins throughout the land – and firearms have a more prominent place in defense. The cities have grown larger, and the population more affluent.
It is partly a result of this that has created the circumstances that now threaten the world – the lack of heroes has allowed a dark force to build in the world, inhabiting some unlikely places, and as the game unfolds your character – themselves a hero – must seek out and recruit the last few remaining heroes in order to build a party that can fight the evil that now threatens Albion. I do not want to say too much or give too many details away, since the threat centers around a major plot-point of the game, and it would be a shame to spoil that for you!
As the game begins, you find yourself working to earn the five coins that you need to buy a curious relic from the traveling merchant, a relic that you are assured by a trusted source may be precisely what the con-man says it is, though he is not aware of this. Once you have acquired this relic, events quickly unfold, thrusting you on to a different path in life than the one you had been on, and changing your life – in many ways for the good – as you grow into adulthood, and begin your grand adventure.
The Changes
Morality plays a major role in the game, with the player’s choices having direct and visible results in the game. For instance a good player will eventually earn a halo-like symbol over their head, and their appearance changes – fair hair, tanned skin, and an over-all healthy glow. Their dog companion also changes – their coat will turn golden as a result of the good alignment of their owner. A bad player will have dark hair and features, and an ugly complexion with red veins running all over their body, and their dog companion’s coat will turn black as a result of their evil ways.
In addition to appearance changes relating to morality, the player’s character appearance also changes as a result of what they eat in the game – food being the alternative to potions for restoring health – as a diet rich in fat will make the character fat, and healthier food choices such as vegetable, fruit, and tofu, will keep the character thin. Improving the character’s stats also impacts their appearance – adding muscles, height, or in the case of magic skill, blue glowing patterns on their skin.
Quests and missions are no longer the method for gaining money in the game, having been replaced with jobs. The player can seek out employment as an Assassin, Bartender, Blacksmith, Bounty Hunter, or Woodcutter, and can also find money in treasure chests and with the aid of their dog, in hidden spots that the dog can detect and dig up as they adventure together. Items found can be sold to merchants in towns, and the player can purchase and rent out property in the game, becoming a landlord. Gambling is also a path to wealth in Fable II, but the games found in pubs can also be a coin sink if the player fails to take the time to learn how they work and what strategies apply best.
Co-operative play is perhaps the most significant change in the game – and once connected to XBox Live, a player can have friends join in their game, dropping in and out at will without this impacting game play. In addition to being able to earn money and obtain items and experience in the game that a player can then bring back to their own game, co-op play allows both players to earn special Achievements that they cannot earn in solo play!
Game Play
Fable II is ideally suited for casual play – with missions and quests that can be completed in bite-sized chunks. The player can choose to play either a male or female hero, and that choice has some interesting influences on the game play experience. Starting the game as a child, the player is exposed to several events that help to form the personality and the outlook of the main character, among them an event in which the player befriends a stray dog who ends up becoming their adventure companion when the main game unfolds.
One aspect of the game that has drawn criticism is its relationship structure: in Fable II the player can have relations with other in-game characters, date, and even get married and start a family. The criticism comes mostly from conservative groups, upset by the fact that these relationships can be same-sex, and there are opportunities for bigamy, adultery, and group sex, and polygamy. The game emphasizes the need for safe sex – condoms are readily available in it, and failing to use one can cause the player’s character to contract an STD!
Conflict in the game is a combination of traditional swords and sorcery, and the assistance of a core group of friends who will eventually help you to defeat the evil forces and become the ruler of the Kingdom!
DLC Packs
Knothole Island: The first DLC pack for Fable II was released in January 2009, and includes a new area to explore – Knothole Island – and mysteries to solve! There is a new map, new quests, new items, and new Achievements worth 100 GP! The expansion pack is required for play in the new areas, and costs 800 Microsoft Points on the Live Marketplace. Players wanting to play in the new lands with a friend who has purchased the expansion but that who do not want to buy it can download a free version that allows them to play, but does not award Achievements and certain items to the player.
The first DLC expansion to Fable II was criticized for being too short, and there may be something to that, but casual play and taking the time to enjoy the experience allows you to stretch out the experience and value.
See the Future: The second DLC pack, released in May of 2009, priced at just 560 Microsoft Points, includes an additional 13 Achievements worth 250 Gamer Points. The expansion has some interesting game altering additions – for instance using a set of potions, the player can now change the breed of their dog to either a Bloodhound, a Dalmation, or a Husky!
The main focus of the DLC is a series of quests that relate to three cursed items that you purchase from the traveling merchant. These quests add a very interesting dynamic to the game, and if you are a fan of the Fable series, this is a must-have!
My Take
The version of the game that I played was the original with the two DLC packs added on to it via the Marketplace, but in September of 2009 the folks at Microsoft released a Game of the Year Edition of Fable II that includes both expansion packs in the game CD – and that would be the one I would recommend.
I rated this game a 9.5 which is a strong rating and it deserves it! I also rate this a BUY not Rent, because of the amount of time you will spend playing and the excellent re-play potential present here with or without the expansions. Like Fallout 3, Fable II has a large and open world and a great storyline that engages the player. From an entertainment point-of-view it is one of those rare games in which the price of admission is far less than the value received.
– – – – – – – – –
A Review Copy of this game for the XBox 360 was provided by Microsoft.
Codes for the DLC Packs were provided by Microsoft.
Gambling Fable 2 Game
This game has been claimed!
Gambling Fable 2 Cheat
Copyright © 2010 CM Boots-Faubert.