Discussing Fable 2's combat

As my previous post mentioned, I branched off into reviews aboard the Amazon mothership and would like to bring my some of my comments and concerns here. I'm starting with my latest review of Fable 2.

What I jotted down in my notebook and wrote at Amazon seemed like two very distinct things. I'm not trying to imply that I missed the mark with the review just suggesting that perhaps I over analyzed certain things a little too much and other (maybe lesser concerns) too little.

But one thing is for sure. I did generally explain and isolate key things that bothered or excited me during my play throughs. Specifically the loot system (BIG CON) and the freedom factor.

What I want to do now is explore the more obvious short comings I only mildly touched base on during the review.

Fighting with fire:


Okay... first things first. This is not a real time strategy nor is it turn based. This is hardly even an rpg (gameplay) by typical standards. Press a single button and you'll either Swing your sword (X) Fire your gun (Y) or Cast a spell (B). Simple and efficient system.

My problem with it stems directly with the use of each technique. Hack and Slash in this game boils down to smashing the X button trying to activate the speedier attack or depressing the button long enough to flurry. Both aren't terrible ideas but by itself is boring and repetitive.

Skill (or firing a gun/bow) snowballs into one of two categories. Either you freely move about and fire with auto aim (and do less damage) or you enter a stationary mode to freely aim and inflict greater damage. This works but this tech is completely broken by a single firearm in the game. The red dragon. There's nothing else to say about. This handgun nulls out the entire process. It'd be like if in Call of duty you carried around a BFG with infinite ammo the entire time.

And finally my favorite (typically but not here) magic! Again the system in place is simple and somewhat effective but I question a very silly implementation. Why has the mana bar been removed? This is essentially the balance board for all magical spells. How can you have an "ultimate" or even "effective" spell when you're limited by nothing but the sheer ability to cast?

The answer is you can't. Magic (or will) in this game is a sham and while I'd love to rant on and on like my original post did I'll leave it simply at this. Rather then be forced into the whole casting tiers of spells (IE charge a level one spell until it hits two all the way to five) we should have been allowed to have one instant cast spell (not level 1) for defense of sorts (IE Crowd control) and a casting spells for attack (could even keep this system assuming you had a stinking mana bar to balance it all).

Truth be told. Fable 2 is not about specialization and that is what I found most discouraging. Yes you can focus solely on one aspect over the others but truthfully the only way the game ever works at any level (whether it be fun or effectively) is when you utilize all the techniques simultaneously. Certainly puts a drag on strict role players (I'm a wizard that's carries a giant hammer! Why? Who cares let's fight!) but that's this games MO. Anything else would've probably fallen apart or simply not work.

And that's it all in a nut shell. The Fable series is and was always about the grand scale of things; not specifics. The storyline isn't great, the combat is really really simple and the loot mostly sucks but as a whole combined effort. The adventure, the quests, the locales, the interactions, the moral choices etc etc. Is what ultimately stands out above the pack.

I didn't like certain things here but the game certainly isn't feast or famine in that regard. Most people will actually find the game rather accessible and enjoy it's leisure difficulty. And while more weathered gamers may turn their noses upwards like I said there's a lot here to discover and enjoy for different folks.

My review is set at 80/100 and you can read my original review at Amazon.com just click the RSS feed to your left right underneath the archived posts. Thanks!

*EDIT* My new review is in and waiting to be posted by Amazon. Hopefully the new structure sticks as I feel it does improve readability.*/EDIT*