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Read the definitive guide inside... INTERVIEW PETER MOLYNEUX 7 Why Lionhead’s EXCLUSIVE main man loves NEW Fable II SCREENS! CONTROL

Welcome Contents rom the throbbing hive of activity that is Good vs Evil 03 Bowerstone marketplace to the dark, frightening pirate port of Bloodstone, the Find out why the choices universe of Albion is a rich, intoxicating world to you make will change your F entire Fable II experience... explore – a world full of secrets, of choices, of wonder. There’s more than just a main quest and some side quests to enjoy. There’s a rich Preview 06 simulation game to get involved in – can you “Fable II is going to buy all of the houses in the world? There’s a be so many different Not-to-be-missed! Massive social aspect – can you find a partner and 8-page hands-on preview... successfully raise a family? things to a great Can you do the right thing? Do you want to Interview 14 even? Can you even tell what the right thing to many people “ do is? See our Good vs Evil feature to see what Peter Molyneux talks us we mean about choices. through the themes behind This is the beauty of Fable II – your game experience the game... will be so different to someone else’s. It’s a role-playing game and a life simulation; it’s an economy simulator Pub Games 17 and a social experience – both in single-player and the EXCLUSIVE SCREENSAVER Jump-in, Jump-out multiplayer. It’s a game with real wit Essential tips, tricks & and thought put into every aspect – and one glance at tactics to help you win big! the ingenious Achievement list proves that – and the time we’ve spent exploring Albion just makes us even more excited to sink our teeth into the final game. Roll on October 24th, and the arrival of what’s likely to be one of the most uniquely brilliant experiences you’ll have on your 360 this year.

Enjoy the issue,

Chris Schilling CONTROL

FEATURE BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL Why morality is more than just Black & White ne of the most significant interrupts the tryst – at which point, changes to Fable II is the the young man asks you to pass a whole morality system. No letter onto his beloved. Yet ring the Olonger will your decisions doorbell, and it’s the mother who be clear-cut choices between noble answers. If you hand the letter to heroism or demonic nastiness – here her, are you helping a mother you’ll have to think about the protect her daughter from trouble, consequences of your actions, and or simply preventing the path of true how they’ll impact on your progress. love from running smoothly? Another Take the early example of the star- scene might see you unlock a caged crossed lovers – a prologue quest prisoner from his cell. You could which sees a young couple declaring either be freeing an unjustly their love for each other, in true enslaved peasant or releasing a thug Romeo and Juliet style. The girl’s on to the world of Albion – the fact interfering mother, concerned that that his captor drew a sword on you her daughter is about to elope with may have swayed your this man she considers unworthy, decision, but does that mean

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Fable II continued fight for all that is good and right sword-happy – although then again, may just see a halo sprout above your evil behaviour won’t have gone he deserved to be let loose? their avatar. And that’s not all. unnoticed either, so certain It’s fascinating to see how this has Depending on your actions, nefarious individuals will be more developed from Fable’s more shopkeepers may refuse to serve likely to offer you work if you’re simplistic approach – and there are you or adjust their prices behaving very badly indeed. It’s other measures of your behaviour accordingly. If you’re the actually possible that you’ll be besides good and bad. There’s also embodiment of evil, villagers will boo treated completely differently in two a meter for purity and corruption, and hiss at you – or alternatively run separate areas of Albion. and another which ranges from away screaming – whereas a heroic In Bowerstone you might be a bit vicious cruelty to absolute kindness avatar will frequently find himself of a legend, but in Bloodstone you Your dog’s appearance will Players who adopted a virtuous surrounded by his adoring public. may well be considered an easy also change depending on role in the first game may be And you’ll likely be more attractive to target – a paragon of virtue on one your own behaviour. tempted to inject a wicked streak the local womenfolk as well. side of the map, and a thieving, into their play without it impacting Your behaviour won’t directly womanising drunk on the other. It’s too greatly on their hero status, influence many of the game’s story all up to you. other, but guiding them in a totally while others will switch their brand quests, but you’ll find that certain Yet despite all the extreme non-linear manner according to your of evil from malevolent to side quests and other tasks only behavioural possibilities it’s the own whims. In other words, your benevolent. Sure, you might have become available once you reach a subtle inbetweens that define Fable characters behave exactly how you just killed someone’s family, but you certain level of goodness (or indeed, II’s approach to role-playing – where want them to behave. And of Fable can always apologise afterwards. should you find yourself on the rocky you’re not merely shunting your II’s many innovations, perhaps that’s The path you choose will still road to the dark side). character from one path to the the most revolutionary of the lot. impact upon your character’s Given that it’s possible to kill appearance. The more evil you anyone except the plot’s key become, the less human you’ll look – characters, you may find yourself If you look suitably sprouting horns and facial missing out on a boatload of content demonic, then people disfigurements – while those who if you’re a little too trigger – or will try to avoid you for the most part.

Your ugliness rating will soar if you’re consistently evil.

ROLL OVER EXCLUSIVE SCREEN THE BIG PICTURE

CONTROL FREE MAGAZINES FOR VIDEOGAMES FREE MONTHLY XBOX 360 MAG! www.gamerzines.com 360Zine Never miss an issue again! Subscribe Fable 2 is the for free! RPG game of the year, and we have played it. Read more Fable 2 info for free!  11 PAGE FABLE 2 SPECIAL  EXCLUSIVE HANDS-ON PREVIEW WITH THE RELEASE CANDIDATE VERSION  EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH DEVELOPER PETER MOLYNEUX  EXCLUSIVE 360Zine FREE! For SCREENS Xbox 360  FABLE 2 PUB GAMES REVIEWED

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The snowy prologue doubles up as a tutorial, introducing players to the controls and themes of the game while weaving a compelling narrative.

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Developer: ROLL OVER Lionhead Fable II Spend some time down in Albion Heritage: THE BIG Black & White, able II is set some five finally sees the developer’s PICTURE Fable, hundred years after the imagination given free rein. It’s The Movies original, with the world of telling that Lionhead is having Link: www. Albion having evolved trouble squeezing it onto a single lionhead.com F “It’s improved an already superb significantly in the intervening years. DVD-9. ETA: 24th October It’s a neat metaphor for the game You begin the game as a child – itself, which has improved an already either male or female this time – original beyond recognition” superb original almost beyond trudging through the snow-covered recognition. If the first game backstreets of Bowerstone with your suffered from technology limitations sibling, desperately trying to scrape stymying Peter Molyneux’s ambitious together enough gold to buy a vision, then this current-gen sequel mysterious and powerful item EXCLUSIVE SCREEN

ROLL OVER THE BIG As an adult, you’ll start out PICTURE in this small settlement.

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Feel free to deck your hero out in the most outrageous get-ups you can find – but don’t be surprised when you get funny looks from Fable II continued non-player characters.

Ideas Man Man from a market stall, which leads to a How PeterPeter Molyneux’s Molyneux’s innovations innovations set setFable Fable II II tragic twist, before you fast-forward apart fromfrom other other RPGs RPGs to adulthood and set out on a hero’s quest relating to this incident. We can’t say any more for fear of spoiling events, but suffice to say ROLL OVER that Fable II, while offering plenty of whimsy throughout, can get really THE BIG dark at times. PICTURE “Fable II is your game – That’s hardly surprising, really – Fable II offers light and shade in so it’s a very personal many respects, from its myriad play as the Albion equivalent of Han choices leading you on the path to Solo – an undoubtedly heroic figure experience” either good or evil, while there’s also that still has a bit of a shady side. a purity and corruption mechanic And choosing to be a loveable essence, Fable II is your game – a that tracks your behaviour in more rogue is just one of a great many very personal experience you can Combat DevelopmentDevelopmentStory Story subtle ways. In other words, you can approaches you can take. In tailor to your own preferences, which means that no two games will play out identically.

MORAL MAJORITY CombatDevelopmentStory Your actions directly affect EnterYou’reAc c ording into not battle,toallocated Molyneux, and a youset Fable rolecertainly IIin will the havewon’t game “between be – standingin stead eight of in line, everything within Fable II, which takingbeingand ten ca turns minutes” st a strading a mage, of non-interactiveblows a warrior with your or ca utsc enemies.ranger, enes your –Nor a pifflingown will you means that no decision can be taken bepersonalamount wildly c approach omparedhacking away toto theproc by often eedingsstabbing lengthy, guides at a tediou single your s buttoncharacter’s(and lightly – and Lionhead has thrown in (thoughpathun skippable) through the choice sequencthe game. is esthere Within c to ertain every do that other single if yourole-playing act want you performit). And a fair few moral quandaries to test youmakinggames. definitely aWhile differenc won’tc ertain e beto section oneseeing or s morenumbersafford of the the spouting player game’s slightly from statistics theless your mettle when it comes down to top(allinteractivity ofof whichyour opponents’thancan beduring ac c essedheads.standard from Fable gameplay, the II offersmenu it’s asc revolution reenrefreshing should in the crunch. Do you free those RPGyouto be wish combat able to to chec thatmo ve k could how or look ugly, well around windfeared, up while famouinfluencing the s plotor virtuou future s titles, you prisoners, or leave them caged? Do withare),progresses, itsit’s economy one andof very being of buttonfew able games commandsto perform where yourexpressionbelying avatar’s a s duringrole is you disobey orders to choose what surprisinglygenuinelythese sc enes shaped complex can bybe yourasystem welc own ome which action relief, allows s andpartic youdec ularly isionto adjust on s. Evena you think is a more virtuous option? frominadvertentsec ond wielding playthrough. ac caxes idents to If play castingyou’re a part c spells oming in affecting without up to a anyhowdramatic messingyou’re Morality doesn’t just change your around.viewedmoment, by Indeed, then Albion’s breaking the populac fluidity wind e of –or thelet’s belching combat ju st say can is it’s suchturn wise athat seriouto beyou s avatar’s character, it changes their cancarefulmoment do aroundboth into simultaneously.a livestoclight -hearted k. one. And for c ompletists, Use the Play and Stop controls to the left, appearance, too. Stroll down the there’s more than one ending to disc o ver... or click here to see the enhanced version! murky path to malevolence and your face and body will change

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“Every single action affects Fable II continued BEEN CAUGHT STEALING Bloodstone – a dark, imposing If you’d rather be even more devious hamlet with residents who are how you’re viewed accordingly, becoming less in your moneymaking, you can steal more proficient at attractive and more fearsome to from people. First you have to communicating with swords by other people in look at. And a puritanical hero will ensure that your character isn’t than with words. That said, the the gameworld” positively glow with the radiance that being watched, and then attempt to same place also offers dubious such noble deeds bring. You’ll also grab the item in question by holding pleasures – like an overweight, change the world around you with down the A button while a green bar scantily-clad male prostitute whose your actions. Once you start raking encircles a small onscreen eyeball proposition may well be the least Venture into the wilds at night, in the cash, you’ll be able to buy (representing whether or not you can attractive offer you’ve ever had. and you’re asking for trouble. property, eventually amassing be seen). Should the eyeball start to enough to pick out entire villages for turn towards the front, you can STAT ATTACK purchase – whereupon you’ll have immediately retract your hand and There are reams and reams of stats the option to lease out your should hopefully get away with it. to look at, many of which are hugely holdings, potentially for extortionate And if the circle manages to join up amusing, but all of which are prices to line your wallet, and that at the top, then you’ve pilfered the relevant to the behaviour of non- will change the game’s economic item successfully. Get spotted player characters towards you. balance accordingly. however, and you can expect your You might lose a bet which standing within the community to change – every single action affects ROLL OVER EXCLUSIVE SCREEN how you’re viewed by other people in Role playful the gameworld. You’re instantly seen THE BIG The game’s Achievements are hugely inventive, and offer as a bit of a hero by the Bowerstone PICTURE genuine replay value, as you won’t be able to get them all Gypsy Camp you start out in, as until on a single playthrough. The reason for this is that some you set out on your quest, no-one will be quite tricky to achieve first time round if you’ve has ever left the camp before decided to follow a certain path. If you’re determined to Elsewhere you might be viewed as be good, then you might not get the Chicken Kicker a bit of a ladies’ man if you spend Achievement, while those playing as an evil character your time wooing that area’s busty may struggle to convince enough women to join them for maidens, and it pays to check your the Swinger Achievement. Meanwhile, you’ll earn small menus before you wander into a rewards for killing rabbits, getting villagers drunk and town you’ve not visited for a while, in committing acts of public indecency. More sensible case they remember the episode where you farted in the face of a players will be pleased that the story quests generally One man and his dog – though offer more Gamerpoints, however. But if you want the full small child and you suddenly remember that you’re persona non it’s helpful to have a partner to 1000 adding to your Gamerscore, you’ll almost certainly help you out during trickier parts. have to play it two or three times. grata. That’s something you’ll almost always be in misty pirate port

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Molyneux admits the game’s exceptional lighting effects have been tricky to pull off, EXCLUSIVE SCREEN but the hard work has Fable II continued it’s little wonder that Fable II’s co- certainly been worth it. operative mode is one of its most results in your face being tattooed celebrated new features. If you’re all over, but you can reduce your connected to Xbox LIVE, at any time ugliness by wearing a mask – which you’ll be able to see glowing purple means people are less likely to orbs floating around Albion, comment on how repulsive you are representing your friends in their as you skulk past. Even the clothes own versions of the gameworld. you wear – while obviously affecting You’ll be able to walk up to one your armour points and similar and immediately invite them into statistics - can force people to see your game – though first you’ll need you in a different light. There’s even to negotiate a fee. Because once a Master Chief armour set in the that second player is in your world, game should you wonder what a they’re able to affect it just as you Victorian Halo might feel like. can. Before this partnership can ROLL OVER begin, however, you need to TEAMWORK negotiate – the second player THE BIG With such a variety between games, effectively becomes a PICTURE

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Larger foes take a while to defeat using standard attacks, which is why it’s best to learn the intricacies of the combat system, allowing you to pull off more powerful moves when you spot a gap in their defences.

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The combat is both accessible and flexible with much more depth than your average button-masher.

Fable II continued like two different games. Fable II’s world is huge, but it henchman to your protagonist, and eschews the streaming approach to you can specify the percentage loading of other free-roaming games amount of experience and loot they to load individual large areas “There’s so gain while in your version of Albion. separately. This enables each much to And once your time together is over, section of Albion to have much more the second player can leap back into detail, with non-player characters interact with their own game, with more milling around market areas, and you experience and money to put to have some way of interacting with all it’s unreal” good use. It’s an innovative idea that of them, be it talking to more works terrifically well – neither of significant figures, or merely you will be able to wander too far, gesturing towards a passer-by using The ‘carrot, not stick’ approach to with the camera zooming out but the ‘expression wheel’ (activated FIGHT CLUB game design is very much in keeping both players onscreen, simply by squeezing the right Of course more money means better evidence here, in that casual players essentially putting a set of reins on bumper). Indeed you can even weapons – all the better for those can get through most encounters by player two to stop them express yourself during the game’s quests where you face off against mashing the X button for repeated misbehaving. One of the key cutscenes, which offer further fierce opponents in the game’s melee attacks, but those who pleasures of co-operative mode is interactivity at specific points, where vastly-improved combat sequences. use timed presses, holds and seeing how your friend’s version of a press of the left trigger focuses Albion has developed differently the camera on objects of interest. from your own. The number of There’s so much to interact with choices available throughout means it’s unreal. Every single residence – that two disparate approaches can be it a caravan, a house or a huge lead to Albions that are worlds apart, castle – that you’re able to enter can almost to the stage where it feels also be purchased. You’ll be able to set up small market stalls, choose the price you want to sell your wares at, and let them earn money for you in your absence. You’ll even be able to profit from not playing the game thanks to the real-time gold-earning mechanic. Though you can’t just wait months and gain an instant fortune – the game will reduce the amount you earn after a certain time, scaling the Use the Pla y and Stop controls to the left , drop accordingly based on how long or click here to see the enhanced version! you’ve been away.

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Fable II continued representing all-round experience. Each of these orbs can be ‘spent’ on The Hollowmen make for nasty opponents, especially different moves will be rewarded new powers and techniques within when there’s a group of them. There’s a neat Achievement with more experience. You’re not the three main abilities of strength, should you slay one in a very specific manner, however... punished for sticking with the same skill and will. So you might buy approach, but it’s definitely ‘brutal styles’ to become more worthwhile mixing it up. Flourishes barbaric, or purchase ‘chain attacks’ are still there, except this time you if you prefer to string moves get a more cinematic camera angle together rather than adopting the to show off your best Errol Flynn bludgeoning approach. You might impression, and you’ll get more orbs opt for the sniper technique (which for finishing floored opponents off. allows you to aim more accurately, Larger orbs are reserved for the zooming the action to a tight over- best combatants, and the colours the-shoulder view) or any one of a correspond to which techniques number of spells, all of which have were used in battle – blue orbs for five different levels of power, and all melee combat, red for magic, and of which can be focused around your “There’s even yellow for ranged attacks, with green character for area attacks – a Master Chief ROLL OVER armour set” THE BIG PICTURE you can – while it will cost you affecting any enemy wandering some experience within range, or more powerful to change approach, there’s nothing ranged attacks, which deal damage stopping you from switching sword- to single enemies (or more if your fighting abilities for spells if you find aim’s particularly good). The skills a magician’s role more appealing. screen shows you brief but incredibly useful video overviews of DOG FIGHT the item you’re saving up for, so You’re not the only one who gets there’s no buying blind. You’ll also be stuck in during skirmishes, either. able to beef up your character’s Your character is joined by a dog – more basic abilities – examples whom you rescue as a child from a include physique (which increases Bowerstone bully – who will savage Bloodstone is swarming with your attack power) and toughness, any foes foolish enough to fall over. pirates, and it’s a good idea to be prepared for a fight or three. which gives you a longer life bar. At Your pooch acts as a constant any point if you want to undo your companion throughout the game progress towards a specific skill, – and you’ll be able to pamper

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EXCLUSIVE SCREEN Fable II continued ROLL OVER THE BIG PICTURE

There’s a refreshingly British feel to Fable, especially him to your heart’s desire. Though in its slightly overpraising and frequent treats will bawdy sense of turn your canine chum into a lazy, humour. spoilt mutt. Like your own character, “Albion is an your dog can be levelled up – rated from one to five stars at how useful intoxicating, It’s rare for a game to feel simultaneously so he is in combat, or how effectively wide in scope, while remaining totally personal. he can sniff out treasure. immersive You’ll even be able to teach him gameworld” tricks – shops will sell you items like around twelve hours, but most with a host of levels remaining for a ball which you can throw for him to players will take much, much longer more hardcore challenges, like the fetch, thus further building your prevent players becoming lost – and to finish the game, simply because tricky demon doors where you’ll face relationship. He’ll bark to alert you is a massive help when you’ve Albion’s such an intoxicating, off against multiple strong enemies. during certain situations – often it’ll followed your dog and can’t find your immersive gameworld that you’ll And if you’re tired of traditional be a treasure chest that he’s found, way back. Should you follow the path want to spend more time there. And adventuring, then you can always but sometimes it will be a warning fairly religiously, it will glow much you’re actively encouraged to go spend time in the local inn, swilling that enemies are nearby. He’s also brighter than for those who prefer to down the road less travelled as your ale until your view becomes blurry responsible for guiding you away wander off the beaten track. And if dog will bark to indicate items of (with sound effects subtly changing from the breadcrumb trail – the you prefer to be without it interest, and some of the game’s in your inebriated state). Indeed, if glowing path the game provides to completely, you’ll always have the best secrets won’t be found on the you’re more into sex than violence, help guide you to the next point of option to turn if off. breadcrumb trail. Indeed, Molyneux then you’ll be able to partake in interest on each quest. It never gets predicts that the average player will orgies – though as with the first to the point where you’re led by the OFF THE BEATEN TRACK only have reached two-thirds of the game, the screen will fade to nose – instead the trail is there to The game’s main story quest runs to potential character development, black while engaging in coitus.

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Fable II continued

The art style remains the same, but the many areas of “It’s rare that a Albion couldn’t look more game makes This spell slows down time while allowing your avatar different. to move at normal speed – when upgraded it lasts you feel so much longer, allowing you to take down multiple empowered” opponents before they’ve even drawn their swords.

Even here the choices remain – you local blacksmith. This particular role a bit of rhythm – should you fancy wailings, you can always just kill him. can use a condom to prevent takes on the form of a timing-based yourself as a street entertainer, With so much to see and do, potentially debilitating sexually minigame, as you attempt to swipe you’ll be able to attract crowds with Fable II runs the risk of becoming transmitted diseases, while if you the hammer at the correct time by a bit of Cossack Dancing, which seriously unfocused, but the fact wish to sow your wild oats you’ll be pressing the A button as a marker employs a similar mechanic. Once that every choice of yours has some able to get women pregnant should reaches the green area of an arc. again, this changes your position kind of consequence – however you go without a sheath. There’s This gets progressively smaller and within the community, and may even minor – means that everything in the even an Achievement for ‘taking part the marker moves much more cause the town minstrel to write a game holds some significance. It’s in an orgy, responsibly’. quickly after a while – making for an tune about you. Indeed, you’ll be rare that a game makes you feel entertaining challenge which you can able to visit this songsmith regularly quite so important, so empowered, JOB’S WORTH return to whenever you want to throughout, whereupon he’ll base his and it’s a feeling we’re sure most of Talking of responsibility, you’ll be make a bit more money, the words on whichever actions you’ve you will want to share when Fable II able to earn money by taking on a honest way. performed during your adventure. makes its debut, exclusively to Xbox job, such as crafting swords for the It’s not the only task which requires And should you tire of this minstrel’s 360, on October 24th.

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PETER MOLYNEUX The head of Lionhead Studios and the man behind Fable and Fable II, Peter Molyneux, takes time out to talk us through his latest creation...

ou’ve said that you have wanted Fable 1 to be about the plenty of ideas for Fable Guild, the Age of Heroes and magic III, IV and V. Given the and how important that was in the Ytime gap (500 years) and world - kind of a little how Europe the technology advancement was a thousand years ago, the time (invention of gunpowder) of King Arthur and Merlin. That was between Fable and Fable II, does all a part of our culture, and this mean that mean that we’ll suddenly that just disappeared. be seeing tactical nukes by That’s why we skipped forward Fable IV? 500 years in Fable II, because we wanted to say “Right, you aren’t part The reason I said that is I wanted of this family of Heroes anymore, people to understand that we you’re more on your own.” The weren’t making it up as we went Heroes aren’t around any more. along. Each one of the story parts in People have lost faith in them.” Fable 1 and Fable II was thought That’s why we had such a time gap, about way back when we first came but I don’t think you’ll be flying up with the idea of Fable. I always around in jet planes in Fable 3.

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Fable II continued The inclusion of gunpowder is wrong for there to be bows and an interesting idea. It’s not arrows there. It’s not like a sub something you normally see in machine gun. At best you’re holding fantasy RPGs. What was the a repeater, which allows you to fire thinking here? six shots before reloading and it tends to be a little bit slow. The style guide for Fable 1 was Combat’s much easier with a Sleepy Hollow, the Tim Burton film. You’ve never been heavily into second player joining in the The style guide of Fable II is doing sequels to your games melee, but you’ll have to share the experience and loot. Brotherhood of the Wolf, where it’s a before. What made you want to highwayman era, and there’s a return to Fable? criminal element but they live alongside the rich element and it felt I’ve not done a lot of sequels in my time, but it did seem like when we II is the inclusion of more started Fable that this was “named” voice talent, Stephen something that could go on. Also I Fry and others. What do you thought that there were some things think bringing in those types of that went wrong with Fable 1 that actors can add to a story driven really needed to be addressed. game like Fable II? Some of those were stupid things like giving you practically everything Familiarity pays dividends, because you’d need within an hour of playing. it means people trust those people Other things were more complex, more. You go “Isn’t that Stephen Fry? like how awful the sneaking was. I I liked him in that programme. He’s a thought the story was OK, but I top bloke.” So I didn’t walk away from the story don’t have to do as thinking “that was cool”. So there much work as a “I don’t want was plenty to innovate around, plus designer to the fact that we had some really characterise him people to play interesting ideas around the dog and [laughs], so that’s combat and drama. And I have to the first thing. The Fable II twice.” say and it’s a bit of a strange thing next thing is the to say, but I think I’ve learnt more actors in Fable II are fantastic about games design doing Fable II because they are professional and than any other game they know what they are doing. I have to admit, and I think One change from Fable to Fable some of these voices stayed in,

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Fable II continued look like. It’s the way the world items and cruelty and kindness. Now treats you, the way people in the you might think being kind is being that there were a couple of voices in game treat you, the way your family good, but no it’s not. I’ll give you a Fable 1 who were checkout girls at treats you, the way your dog real life example. To my son every Tesco’s [laughs]. You can’t compare. reacts… there’s a list a mile long of night I’m cruel to him because I things that changes because of your make him go to bed, but I know that Did you find fitting Fable II onto choices. It’s not just about good and if I don’t he’ll get up cranky. I want one DVD or any of the Xbox evil any more. It’s how much are you people to finish Fable II and say “OK, 360’s hardware restricting, or willing to sacrifice. I now know a little bit more about was it just far more liberating Fable 1 was about kill this person, myself.” than the original Xbox? save that person. Fable II is more about making you think “well, what is Are there ramifications in the Well, I’m sure I should tell you that the good thing to do here?” There’s world – if you’re good you can the Xbox was wonderfully easy and a tiny one in childhood, for example, only do one quest and if you’re we have everything we want, but of where there’s this girl who wants to evil, there’s a different one? course being a developer, it doesn’t elope... you’ve got to give this love matter what you give me we will fill it You’re talking about branching. Yes, up to the very maximum. Not only is we do do branching. Sometimes the Fable II this vast open ended world, world branches. To give you an The fairer sex? Not necessarily. there’s an enormous amount of AI “We are pushing example from childhood. If you do a This time you can play as a going on. There’s the AI of the dog, quest one way, the whole region female character, and even get every aspect of pregnant, with all the physical the economy of the world, there’s changes. So there’s not just good changes that entails. characters that travel with you, the 360” quests and evil quests, but entirely there’s the ability to bring in co-op different regions with different players, there’s all the LIVE stuff: we people. I know Fable 1 was a game are pushing every aspect of the 360. letter either to her to allow her to that a lot of people played twice, but elope or to her mother to stop her. because there is an element of Can you tell us a little bit about Now which is the good one there? Is drama missing second time around, the good and evil choices? it good to give it to the parent who is it wasn’t such a good game second worried about their child, or should time around. The funny thing is, I Well, it’s pretty hard to describe love be allowed to find a course? I actually don’t want people to play that. In Fable 1 it was easy. I could think there are lots of times in the Fable II twice. I know that sounds just say you get horns or you get a game like that where you will be very odd, but I’ve designed this halo, but in Fable II it goes a lot asking yourself what is the right game to be played once – in this deeper than that. Yes, you can look thing to do, and I like that. unique way. A lot of the world works more noble and light, or darker and We also measure purity and as a simulation, so people can with horns, but that’s just the visual corruption – how you approach continue to play and enjoy beyond aspect. It’s not just about what you things, whether you overcharge for the story.

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Take your time to look at which cards have FEATURE already been played, and you can gauge your chances of losing out in Fable II the later stages. Pub Games Win money and items today! vailable on Xbox LIVE Alternatively, you should try to Arcade now for a mere 800 enter the tournament – not only points, Fable II Pub Games because you stand the chance of on your luck, then simply keep the It’s often a good idea to cash out A allows you to win money and winning items that are unique to Pub two separate. That way you can when the Gate Card is gone, to avoid items for use in Fable II itself. So Games – yes, some items aren’t start out with a completely clean risking a loss, particularly if you’ve we’ve put together these tips and available anywhere in Albion – but slate. bet big. Remember the Gate card is tricks which should hopefully ensure also because chances are that you’ll not a Get out of Jail free card – while that your avatar is nicely in the black get out more than you put in. That’s it does offer some security, it can by the time October rolls around. because money is added by the FORTUNE’S TOWER still cause a burn. house to each game – so even if you Don’t risk all on doubles – you’ll be don’t win outright, there’s a chance This is almost certainly the best in profit quite early, and it’s GENERAL TIPS of making a tidy profit by the time game to play to win most, as it’s the sometimes tempting to go for broke you’re out. Not only that, but you’ll most strategic of the three. Make for a big win, inevitably ending up in It pays to spend time unlocking the get a cash sum for finishing in the sure you choose a deck with the failure. Sometimes it’s better to cash better tables, even if you end up top five. lowest number of Number cards (56 out on a small profit, while letting having to borrow a fair bit in the You’re not forced to merge your rather than 70), as it increases the the NPCs risk all and lose. meantime. The higher-limit tables Pub Games character with your ratio of Hero cards to Number cards It’s tempting during tournaments offer a better chance of getting your Fable avatar – so if you end up down and therefore your odds marginally. especially to try and get your money money back, because wins are far back, leading to more risky play, but bigger. Sure, if you risk a lot of to win, you don’t need to have more money then you could well lose big than you started with - just make too, but a few lucky hands should “Fortune’s Tower is the best sure you have more than your leave you in a healthy position. It’s game to play to win” competitors. Keep an eye on knowing when to quit that’s the key! their totals and bet accordingly.

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Fable II continued lose a number of rounds, but when you win, you’ll scoop a huge amount. If you’re way behind you’ll have to Revert to safer bets (like 10 and 11 try the odd risky bet, but if you’re on the arch, and 4-9 and 12-17 roughly even then play it safe – cash squares for the inner bets) and you’ll out as soon as you feel comfortable. likely finish on top, or at least in the Occasionally, the opponents will risk first three. all for a jackpot and miss out. Don’t bet against yourself. In other If you make it to the final stage of words, if you bet on a single number, a tournament, you’re going to win make sure other bets correspond, Once you’ve unlocked something, so you can afford to take so it’s the same shape, colour, the Cow and Corset more chances. As long as you get to number range. Betting against spinnerbox, stick with the final stage once in three, which yourself might mean you win that for a while. is quite achievable, you’ll be in profit something back, but overall it makes even on ranking fifth on the top no sense as some of your bets have table. Finish higher and those odds to lose. Unlocking the later games is the so just keep tapping A and hoping increase further. When you have the secret to success, as the higher-limit for the best. money, play the high rollers’ tables games offer better odds once more. From experience, the Cow and outside the tournament to win big. SPINNERBOX Don’t go looking for any specific Corset spinnerbox (with the tactics, as there’s no way to affect maximum bet of 250) seems to pay Again, it pays to play for a while, your results at all. There’s literally no out slightly better than the others. KEYSTONE even if you’re losing money. way of influencing what will happen,

Again, the odds are better at the IN-GAME EFFECTS higher-limit tables, and particularly in Familiarise yourself tournaments. Stick to the later with the odds for Apart from the items you may or may tables once they’re unlocked and Keystone before you not have won, your Fable II game can you’re more likely to profit. place your first bets. be affected by your performance in Remember to check the odds by Pub Games, should you choose to pressing the left trigger, to remind merge your gambler with your Fable II yourself of the chances that each of avatar. Any debt you accrue will be your bets has of winning. outstanding with the Pub Games In the tournaments, it often pays Masters which you can find within to place low-odds, high-reward bets Albion’s many public houses. Should – as an example, put the arch bets you happen to owe too much money, on 3 and 18, then bet on all the you’ll be considered a criminal, and individual triples, and finally the triple will have to pay a fine or even do square. Keep doing this and you’ll some community service!

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