Microsoft and Lionhead Studios have announced that Fable II, the long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed 2004 RPG Fable, will be released on October 21.
Promising players an “infinite amount of choice in an open world environment,” Fable 2 will introduce a groundbreaking new combat system designed to make the game accessible to both casual and hardcore gamers. The game will offer both solo and cooperative gameplay over Xbox Live in the immersive and expansive realm of Albion.
A Limited Collector’s Edition will be available through participating retailers, which will include a bonus DVD with a “Making Of” video and concept art, a “nasty, brutish and short” collectible Hobbe figure, five printed Fate cards, and for gamers with an Xbox Live account, a 48-hour Xbox Live trial card and bonus in-game content, including “The Hall of the Dead” dungeon, a Legendary Cutlass known as “The Wreckager,” and an “Otherworldly Bonus” – which, if pre-release images are to be believed, may in fact be a Fable version of Master Chief.
For fans of the game who can’t wait for their Fable fix, Microsoft will be launching an exclusive Fable II Xbox Live Arcade title on August 13, which will include three casino-style pub games: Fortune’s Tower, Keystone and Spinnerbox. Giving players a chance to start earning gold and treasures in advance of Fable II’s release, the Fable II Pub Games will be free to gamers who pre-order the game and also available on Xbox Live for 800 Microsoft Points for those who don’t.
Telling the tale of a child who grows into a hero in the wake of a devastating raid on his village, the original Fable was well-received by critics for its story and depth, and for making the player’s freedom of choice a major factor in determining the outcome of the game. It took some criticism, however, resulting largely from the absence of features which Molyneux had long promised would be included with the game. Following the game’s release, Molyneux apologized for overselling the game in a post on the official Lionhead forums.
Fable II is rated M (Mature) by the ESRB, and will carry an estimated retail price of $59.99 for the standard version and $79.99 for the Collector’s Edition. To learn more about the game, check out the official Fable II site at Xbox.com.
