Fable 2 for Xbox 360 Reviews by Gamers

To start let me say that I do love this game and it has been a lot of fun so far. The graphics are fantastic and the gameplay is intuitive and fun. As many have said, having the dog is a total bonus to the gameplay and overall feel of the game. It really does seem to deliver on the promise of being able to do whatever you want. There are some issues that I agree with the other posters on. The map/GPS system sucks. You can only access it in the pause menu and there's no zoom or pan function so unless you sit right up with the face on the screen, its pretty much useless. There is not nearly as much free-roaming in the game that you would expect from the back of the box saying roam anywhere. Most noticeably of this is the lack of random baddies to fight on the roads. It really is mission driven it feels like as far as getting to test the combat system.
While it does have its issues, the game still delivers on the fun. While the combat is simplistic, that doesn't change the over fun of combat. It doesn't get old and its still fun to hack and shoot everyone around you. The social interactions are basic and easy to master yet they don't really ever lose their appeal as the game goes on.
What it really boils down to is this: Fable 2 is a great game and a truly enjoyable RPG but its a very simplified format. Its has a lot of fun choices and mechanics in the game, but its not Oblivion in the sense that its not that complicated. Leveling up requires a very easy and simple choice of a few selections. Weapons, items, clothing, buying/selling, all of these aspects are fun and intuitive but none of them are overly complicated. Fable 2 is simply a really fun, immersive and enjoyable RPG that strives to make itself appealing and easy to grasp for all gamers.
If you're expecting an Oblivion-level RPG that adds a lot of detail and micro-manageable character setup, you'll probably be better served by waiting a week and trying Fallout 3. For a fun RPG exp, Fable 2 is your game.

Yes you can choose whatever path and spend hours just working as a blacksmith or woodcutter if you want. Yes you can marry someone and then kill them if they get on your nerves with constant nagging.
BUT, these are almost all the things you could do in Fable 1. I'm a great fan of "if it aint broke dont fix it" so I wont say that copying Fable's trademark stuff doesnt make it a good game. It IS a good game, but here are the things that take the score down:
First off the graphics, while beautiful, seem to suffer with slowdown issues and loading lag.
Secondly the map, they made it so small and non descriptive you can't tell what is where! I'm sorry but I want to KNOW what the stores are or AT LEAST know what they're called "misc stores" doesnt tell me squat!
Another thing which really bugged me was that after spending all this time on character interactions, without signs (in town), taking someone to their "favorite spot" on a date, consists of randomly running around finding a place you THINK is where they like. Some area popup would have been nice.
Also, the menu screen takes a lot of searching to get to things you want.(ex. to use potions, hit start, then items, then potions, then select potion, not TOO bad, but then it closes the menu and you have to do it all again to use another one! Gets a bit annoying when you have 3 will, skill, or strength potions!)
And they've taken away the customizable D-pad, so now you use RB all the time, I dont know why they even included it since half the time its not selecting whats the best thing to do.

These gripes do not mean I dont like the game, I do, but when they've taken so long to bring it out and all the great things in the game were the same the first one had, with so many of the NEW things messed up, I feel like what did they do all that time, tweak the dog?

Bottom line:
Nice graphics, easy to play (controls a little floaty), definite rental, good buy as long as you dont care about the little things reviewed above.