Fable II

Xbox 360
Legendary
From surviving a nuclear wasteland in Fallout 3 to sacrificing yourself for love in Shadow of the Colossus, there are many facets of escapism and expression within video games. Committing bigamy, farting until you accidentally follow-through, and becoming a renowned Lute player are just a few you can add to that repertoire, by way of the sublimely cheeky Fable II.
At its heart, Fable II is an RPG – an adventure game full of dungeons, magic and derogatory Scottish gargoyles, yet beneath the trolls and swords exterior lies a complex, accessible game that reacts to your every action, be it good, bad or somewhere in between.
The original Fable did a similar thing but it was a world of black and white – concise and clear actions of good or evil. It was also a failure in many ways, an overly ambitious title that still remained entertaining despite its flaws.
Fable II is by no means a perfect game but this time round it delivers on all those original broken promises, crafting a living, breathing world that is visibly sculpted by your actions. It is also a world of greys, where sometimes there isn't a right or wrong choice, where sacrifices have to be made for the greater good at personal cost.
From your humble beginnings as an orphaned street urchin to famous monster slayer, your adventures earn you reputation throughout the land. People become to admire or fear you, and as you interact with them, you can charm them or scare them, entertain them or disgust them.
You can also woo them, marry them, have children, become a property magnate, a champion, a villain, a thief and a beggar. The world is your oyster and it and your character's ever changing appearance are distinct representations of your own behaviour.
Throughout the game, one thing is a constant, and one thing is an undisputed success – your best friend, a dog. With you from childhood, your companion not only mimics your actions through appearance and behaviour, he also guides you and fights for you, providing a constant emotional link that ultimately ties you to Fable II's powerful conclusion.
9/10