 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Fable II
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Role Playing
Common Sense Media says
A great fantasy, but contains many mature themes.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this game is rated "Mature" for good reason. Along with the violence and blood (though nothing out of the ordinary or over-the-top for a role-playing game), players might see things like someone killing your spouse in front of your child, having sex with partners (though no nudity is in the game; the screen fades to black), gay and lesbian marriage, and sexual relations (where unprotected sex between people of the opposite sex causes pregnancy). Some foul language can be heard but nothing overly inappropriate.
What's it about?
With all the economic instability and political uncertainty around us these days, the timing couldn't be better for an open-world fantasy game where you can lose yourself in it for a few weeks. Microsoft Game Studios' ambitious FABLE II is now available for the Xbox 360, and while not a perfect role-playing game (RPG) it delivers a deep and detailed world for mature players.
As with its four year-old predecessor (which sold 3 million copies on the original Xbox), much of Fable II is about choices and consequences. At many times throughout the game, players will be faced with moral decisions that will help shape their character and his or her future interactions in this huge world of Albion. For example, early on in the game you're asked to deliver a love letter to a heartbroken woman. When you walk into her home, however, you're offered a gold piece by her nasty mother, who doesn't want her daughter seeing this man. You can take the money or run or walk upstairs to deliver the letter to its rightful recipient (she also gives you a coin for your trouble, by the way). A traumatic event concludes the first act, where you're still a child, and sets the tone for the majority of the game that takes place when you're an adult. (Don't worry, we're not giving away any juicy story elements here).
Is it any good?
While accepting missions and exploring the lands, players can do just about anything in this virtual world. Accompanied by your loyal dog (who can help sniff out treasure for you and ward off enemies) you can buy, sell, or rent out properties; take on jobs (providing an additional revenue stream); fight enemies and recruit others to aid in your cause; learn new skills and acquire better weapons and items; get married and have children, and so forth. While not available on the disc at launch, Xbox 360 owners can download a patch that offers the promised "co-op" multiplayer mode, so at any time you can jump into a friend's game and play along (and then bring the experience points and items back to your game).
While certainly a well-crafted quest, combat is too simplistic (whether you choose to specialize in melee, range, or magic abilities or fight with a combination of all three); the characters don't look nearly as good as the impressive environments and weather effects; and the map is horrible, so players will likely rely on the shimmery breadcrumb trail instead. Overall, though, Fable II is an enchanting fantasy with clever (and quite humorous) dialogue, expansive locations, and non-repetitive missions to suck you deep into this mature tale.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether games that ask players to make moral choices -- such as Fable II, BioShock and Mass Effect -- are a good way for gamers to learn by "role playing" through the dilemma. Is it healthy? Should games be entertainment or tap into some inner desires? Should a game that makes us feel uncomfortable at times -- as many books, TV shows and movies do -- be acceptable, as well?
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AGE
good game
it is a good game as rpg games go i want the sequel
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AGE
Great game for older players
I think this is a superb game that's all about choices, much like the first. It has a very black and white moral system for the most part, and you do see consequences for acting immorally. The violence is a bit much, but sex is dealt with in a tasteful and mature manner. I think it's a little iffy for younger teens, but for your older teens it's a great game that offers a lot to talk about.
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AGE
Not for younger kids
First, I have to say that I love the Fable franchise, and have played every Fable game out there.
Moving on though, the game does have quite a lot of violence, including the killing of zombies and children turned into violent beasts. You can earn achievements by decapitating and/or scoring groin shots. You can also receive STD's from unprotected sex, and in Bloodstone prostitutes are at every corner.
That being said, the game holds some very positive messages. Most people in the game won't have sex with your character until the two are married (although you can have multiple spouses).
While you can be good or evil, your actions will determine your alignment. At the end of the main plotline, your character has to choose between family, money, and sacrifice.
Overall, for the more mature teen, Fable II is an excellent game.
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AGE
Fable 2 is one of the best game's I have ever played!The violence isn't too bad and although there is blood it's not over excesive.The main problem is the issue on sex as althogh you can';t see it and it is opptional, they make some sexual remarks throughout it although there not to bad.There is hardly any language in it and you only hear one quite bad word once which is ba*****d and I don't know where they heard sh*t because I didn't.Your player is always encouraged to do the right thing as he is a hero and if you ever do a bad thing you are punished for doing so.Over all it is a great game and if you think your child is mature enough I would tell him or her to definately buy it!
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AGE
Great game. Has some iffy parts parents might not like but nothing over the top. The worst part in this game is the sex parts, but those aren't even bad if your mature.
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AGE
Great game, great messages, but can be dark if the player wants
Great game. The sex is probably the biggest concern and the twisted violence that can take place (killing your spouse) and all other decisions like it are left up to the player though. The story is only as dark as you want to make it. That aside there are alot of good themes here and evil IS punished, one of those few games that make you care about the characters and story.
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AGE
Great game but with a lot of sexual content and the ability to be good or bad. There are scantily dressed prostitutes in certain areas and you can hear your pertner during the sex, but not excessively, i.e. you hear things like "this isn't your first time, is it". Overall its a very good game with some bad stuff but I would say its ok for mature people over 12.
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AGE
This game is very good. I love everything about it. There are very little bad parts of this game. This game you have the choice of being good and evil. I would recemmond this game for children.
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AGE
Perfect for more mature kids!
This game is amazing, with barely any bad messages or themes (you can't even see the sex, and it's optional). The gameplay is great, and it really gives kids the opportunity to make good choices in the game. After all, it's better to make a evil game choice than an evil real-life choice.
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AGE
Not a kiddy game, but not M worthy.
Thiugh you can be good or evil and be a major sinner, the game demotes that, people run in fear and ignore you. When you act with the good moral decisions, then people love you, welcome you with open arms and you basically become their idol, which always make you feel better. This is no worse than what is talked about in a schoolyard. Yes there are drunken characters, and you can I toxicate yourself, but no one does that. The game demotes such acts as public violence and alchoholism. There is sex implied, yet they never show it, the screen fades to black and only the noise makes it through. I can garuntee you that if your child can get to a computer while home alone, they've looked at something their not supposed to. Yes gay and lesbian sex is an option, yet what is wrong with that? If that's your choice then you have to live with it, theyres nothing wrong with it it's who you are. Let me make one thing clear HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT A CHOICE IN REAL LIFE! With the rise in technology, Amish people are the only people left in America that hasn't viewed or talked about sex and pornography. There is almost no blood when an enemy is killed, no more than in a needle. All the forms of violance are way undertoned compared to some teen games like GRAW(2) where you're a counter-terrorist against REAL people along the Mexico-USA border. The language is, once again, no worse than 6th grade playground whatnot. Trust me I played the first game when I was 10 and played this when it came out, it's not a baby game, but it's definitely NOT M worthy. If your teenage kid is begging you for it, look at some gameplay videos, try it for yourself, and trust me you'll see it air that bad.
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| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Role Playing |
| Developer: | Microsoft |
| Release date: | October 21, 2008 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | M for Blood, Language, Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol, Violence |
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