In the lead-up to Xbox’s 25th anniversary, IGN’s Ryan McCaffrey, a veteran of Official Xbox Magazine and a lifelong “Xbox guy,” is sharing his memories. And one game stands out as a near-perfect realization of what an exclusive Xbox adventure could be: Fable 2.
The Promise and the Reality
Before the original Fable even hit shelves, it faced an uphill battle. The legendary designer Peter Molyneux had promised a revolutionary RPG where players could plant seeds that would grow into trees by the game’s end. While that ambitious vision never fully materialized, the final product was still a fantastic game. I remember reviewing it for Official Xbox Magazine and reveling in the sheer evil I could unleash upon the world, watching my hero transform with pale skin and growing horns. Of course, you could also choose to be a benevolent do-gooder, manifesting a halo above your character’s head. This duality added immense replayability.
While the first Fable had its strengths, it was Fable 2 on Xbox 360 that truly captured the franchise’s potential. I reviewed it myself and awarded it a 9.5 out of 10 (on what was then OXM’s 20-point scale). It’s the game I often think about and miss – Fable 3, with its steampunk setting, never quite had the same charm.
Fable 2: A Step Above
Fable 2 leveraged the Xbox 360’s increased power to expand the scope of the game and deliver stunning HD graphics. It amplified the British humor and charm that defined the original, while also expanding the world of Albion with more Demon Doors, towns, monsters, and everything in between.
But the heart of Fable 2 was your canine companion. Every hero had a loyal, four-legged friend who accompanied you on every adventure. Your dog could sniff out hidden treasure, attack enemies, and provide unwavering support. While he couldn’t be killed (thank goodness!), any injury to your furry sidekick hit hard. I got genuinely upset when my dog took damage, further strengthening my connection to my hero. I remained largely evil throughout the game, but I always treated my dog with kindness – everyone else could go hang.
Which original Fable game is your favorite?
The Zelda-Like Dream
All of these elements—the charm, humor, action, adventure, puzzles, loyal dog, and multiple endings—combined to create a brilliant RPG experience. It wasn’s just the peak of the series; it was arguably the closest Xbox ever came to having its own exclusive “Zelda-like” franchise. The upcoming reboot from Playground Games holds immense promise (as I’ve written already), and we’re all eagerly awaiting its release in February. While launching on PS5 as well presents a challenge, it’s exciting to see what they can achieve.
Fable 2 remains one of my favorite Xbox games of all time. It was more than just a game; it was an experience that captured the imagination and left a lasting impression.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews, host of IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, and co-host of Next-Gen Console Watch. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan
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