Fable 2 release date announced

By Tom Bramwell Published 8 August, 2008

XBLA Pub Games also dated.

Microsoft has announced that Fable 2 will be released in Europe on 24th October exclusively for Xbox 360.

Meanwhile, the Fable 2 Pub Games title for Xbox Live Arcade will be released next week on 13th August for 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60).

Fable 2 is a vast, branching, emotional action-RPG developed by Lionhead, in which players embark on a journey heavily influenced by practical and moral choices.

As well as adventuring, you'll be able to raise a family and form relationships with various characters, or butcher people, and generally customise your path

Other innovations over Fable 1 include simplified combat and magic controls, and drop-in/drop-out co-operative play over Xbox Live (with a clever "orb" system that lets you keep an eye on your friends' progress even when you're in single-player).

Another innovation is the Pub Games - a trio of gambling mini-games packaged up as an Xbox Live Arcade game for 13th August release.

Not only will these amuse you on their own (Fortune's Tower, for example, is a sort of customised fantasy Blackjack - and rather addictive), but they allow you to wager and lose or bolster your real Fable 2 character's supply of gold.

Microsoft has also alerted us to the contents of the Fable 2 Limited Collector's Edition: a bonus DVD with lots of behind-the-scenes video, bonus in-game content ("The Hall of the Dead" Dungeon, "The Wreckager" Legendary Cutlass and "Otherworldly Bonus"), a collectible Hobbe figure, a 48-hour XBL Gold trial, and five printed Fate cards.

The decision to offer bonus in-game content to people who pay extra for the Collector's Edition might not go down too well (cf Battlefield: Bad Company), but we'll have to wait and see.

Look out for our review of the Fable 2 Pub Games very soon and of course our full review of Fable 2 nearer the 24th October release date. In the meantime, check out our extensive Fable 2 hands-on report and recent interview with developer Peter Molyneux for more details.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (15) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Dizzy #1 4 years ago

    The "Otherworldly Bonus" is a fantasy Master Chief BTW that looks quite funny in plate/leather armor.
    Edited by 1 at 08/08/08 @ 08:43

  • Lutz #2 4 years ago

    Finally!

    /books time off of work

  • mikew1985 #3 4 years ago

    Oooo I can't wait for this, hope it turns out well :) Release date is so much sooner than I was expecting it to be earlier in the year when I got interested in the game. Roll on October.

  • mcmonkeyplc #4 4 years ago

    This is what MS bought to Lionhead. A fucking schedule. There not all evil.

  • towser #5 4 years ago

    "The decision to offer bonus in-game content to people who pay extra for the Collector's Edition might not go down too well (cf Battlefield: Bad Company), but we'll have to wait and see."

    Why not? Fuck 'em. If I want extra content and I'm willing to pay more, then I should have it. Everyone has that option after all.

  • Doctor_What #6 4 years ago

    'Limited' edition? Limited to how many they can sell?

  • ligurmatic #7 4 years ago

    Time to re-buy a 360, perhaps.

  • Zomoniac #8 4 years ago

    I seem to recall speak that preordering the LE would get you a free download of the pub games. Given I've pre-ordered the LE and heard nothing I'm guessing I either misunderstood or it's a Yank-only thing, as usual.

  • madgerald Verified Studio Head of PR & Marketing, Colossal Games LTD #9 4 years ago

    I've no problem buying the LE for the bonus content. Think of it as DLC that you don't need to DL.

    It'll probably end up as DLC sooner or later anyway, so everyone can enjoy it.

  • DUFFMAN5 #10 4 years ago

    Brilliant. At last a reason to buy the LE. Anyone want some coop fun drop me a request when game is released.
    Why don't more companies give you in-game extras that are worth paying a bit more for.
    I re-bought Resi 4 (ps2) and DMC SE because they had added goodies in game, same for Fable 1 in fact.

  • Moribundman #11 4 years ago

    On IGN it says that the pub games are available free via a code if you pre-order the game. Checked on GAME's website though and there's no mention of this in the UK. Anyone know a store that allows this?

  • Dizzy #12 4 years ago

    How does coop work in this exclusive Dungeon then?

    Hall of the Dead : Enter All Who Dare (500 MS points)

  • CapnCloudchaser #13 4 years ago

    I imagine GAME will add it to the site and send an email out to those who have pre-ordered.

    Emailing them to confirm it works as well I guess?

  • Moribundman #14 4 years ago

    It's a British game, we should be able to download the content for free if the septics can!

    I assume CapnCloudchaser is right about the mail out pass keys. I remember GAME did exactly the same thing with the GTAIV gamer pics and theme.

    The downside of this is GAME don't take payment until the game ships, and theoretically you can cancel your order at any point until then... So how does that work? Do you not get your free pub games until the game ships (2 and a half months after they are available for 800MSP on Live)?

  • smelly #15 4 years ago

    Ill wait for the special edition with extra levels...