Fable 2 Pub Games coming August to XBLA, free with pre-order

by Ross Miller { Jul 7th 2008 at 2:30PM }

Microsoft has announced that Fable 2 Pub Games, a collection of three casino-style Xbox Live Arcade games that help you boost your money for Fable 2, is coming in August for 800 MS points (US $10). However, according to the press release, Pub Games is free for those who pre-order at participating retailers. The three games are:

Keystone, a combination of Craps and Roulette
Spinnerbox, an "updated take" on slot machines
Fortune's Tower, a "press your luck style of game"

Also included is Shell, a tutorial for all three. Taking a route similar to Spore Creature Creator, Microsoft is also including the Pub Games in both the Standard and Limited Editions of Fable 2, meaning if you can hold out until the game is released, you won't have to shell out the $10. Fable 2 is due out "later this year," with recent hints of an October launch.

Gallery: Fable 2

Tags: breakingnews, fable, fable-2, fable-2-pub-games, fortunes-tower, keystone, lionhead, pre-order, pub-games, spinnerbox, xbla-xbox-live-arcade, xbox-live

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 7th 2008 2:36PM

Is the original Fable worth checking out, or necessary to enjoy this game? I don't ever remember Fable being a big game when I had my Xbox, so I'm kind of confused why it's a system seller now.

RanWitScissorz @ Jul 7th 2008 2:42PM

Fable *was* a big game for the xbox, that's why it's considered a system seller. For some people it fell a little short, but overall was a great game.

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 7th 2008 2:47PM

Is this a direct sequel to it, or is it kind of like the Final Fantasies where you don't need to play the previous games? Somehow I completely missed the first Fable.

ScottG13 @ Jul 7th 2008 2:56PM

Definitely. It was one of the best adventure games of the previous generation. A top notch action RPG.

It DID fall short of expectations. But it fell short to a 9.5.

Grant @ Jul 7th 2008 2:56PM

i enjoyed it, i would say it's worth it if you can find it for $20 or less.
But no, it's not necessary for this ones story line.

Marty @ Jul 7th 2008 3:03PM

My only complaints for Fable were that the game was a tiny bit on the short side, and the gear system was too basic for my taste.

If you're looking for a fun (and still graphically impressive) RPG on the Xbox / PC that isn't too heavy on stat juggling, Fable is hard to beat.

Titanium_Orchid @ Jul 7th 2008 3:24PM

If you decide to play the original, DON'T read any previews or reviews. Its a quality game but it fall short of a lot of what the lead designer (I decided not to try to spell his name) envisioned it to be. Go in with no expectations and you will be that much more satisfied.

Dirty @ Jul 7th 2008 3:37PM

Fable was a great western style rpg. I played it multiple times. I really liked the combat and the leveling. I don't really think that it is necessary to play through to understand the new one. I wouldn't exactly call it's story deep.

IMO it seems like Molyneux is re-doing it with more of his ideas making their way into this game.

Mr Khan @ Jul 7th 2008 3:47PM

It really only fell short in that Molyneaux talked a bigger game than anyone could hope to deliver

He promised platinum and gave us gold, however, so its not really an issue. It's a great game, it just gets lambasted for not being as good as Molyneaux said

Jakka @ Jul 7th 2008 4:20PM

CNT, you don't have to play Fable but I'm pretty sure you'll have a lot of fun doing so.

The story is supposed to be happening 500 years later so aside from little cameos such as the legends about Fable's protagonist etc, there isn't going to be anything story-related.

Markusdragon @ Jul 7th 2008 4:56PM

The game is considered to be terrible by those who wanted it to be another Morrowind, but it's a very playable, very atmospheric game with a decent soundtrack and some nice little touches to it.

Play the Lost Chapters version, not the original though. The storyline is so short in the original that it needs the shot in the arm that the added region and ending gives.

You won't need to play it at all though. The storyline won't connect, but it'll be the same world 200 years on, so there'll probably be some tenuous unimportant links between the first game and it's geography in the new one.

Ordeith @ Jul 7th 2008 5:25PM

Fable is on the Backwards Compatibility list and will run just fine in the 360. Pick if up if you haven't had the chance to play it yet.

greatslack @ Jul 8th 2008 1:56AM

You should be able to find the Lost Chapters version of Fable for $10, so it's definitely worth it.

heavyness @ Jul 7th 2008 2:37PM

hey, i worked on those games! can't wait to earn some gold for Fable II.

good job everyone on the Pub Games team!

ThePerfectCompanion @ Jul 7th 2008 2:37PM

I'd definitely pre order but I'm fearful this will end up like R2 on the ps3 and having less than stellar graphics...

But then again Preorders can be canceled so I guess it doesn't hurt to speculate...

ScottG13 @ Jul 7th 2008 2:57PM

This seems like a pretty good deal. A diversionary time waster to fool around with the week before Fable 2 comes out to get you pumped. A great marketing scheme, too. I can see more devs trying stuff like this.

Grant @ Jul 7th 2008 2:58PM

I'm glad they did this, with so many companies money grubbing these days, it's nice to see a company doing something gamer friendly.

Neebs @ Jul 7th 2008 3:18PM

Removing content to add to DLC FTMFL.

Marty @ Jul 7th 2008 3:21PM

While the DLC content removal is kind of lame, I don't think it's really that big of a deal. They certainly aren't doing it to make room for Fable 2's DLC; to suggest they are is asinine.

Monkeydog @ Jul 7th 2008 3:24PM

Read please.

There is nothing being removed from the actual game.

It's just a pre game thing like Spore's Creature Creator.

arrrgh @ Jul 7th 2008 3:59PM

+1

it says on every official site that these games WILL be included on the full version disc either way. This is just as a pre-order incentive to try shit out early

Tiptup300 @ Jul 8th 2008 4:20AM

I really love this idea of previews for pre-orders.
Preorders should have perks like this from now on!

Spore didn't quite do it right. You had to buy the creature creator separately. That wasn't great.

Twist @ Jul 7th 2008 3:42PM

Damn no Coin Golf. That was the best mini-game from Fable and it would have made a neat XBLA title.

The original Fable was good and as long as you are playing The Lost Chapters and not the original release it is decently long. You can get the game via the Xbox Originals but I think you can save $5 to $7 if you just grab the disc based version. I have played through Fable like 7 or 8 times that is how good it is (of course a play through for the original version only took like 6 to 8 hours after the first time).

Snowblind @ Jul 7th 2008 4:10PM

It's definitely worth checking out the original, if you haven't already. Like has already been said, it fell short of the imense expectation, but it was still a very fun, and a very unique game.

The second game does not follow on directly, instead it's set 250 years later, in more of a colonial era. But there will no doubt be a lot of little references that will make more sense/be more amusing, if you've played the original.

Case @ Jul 7th 2008 4:26PM

You can get Fable the Lost Chapters (The Fable game plus some extras added in) for $10. Just scored it from Best Buy this weekend. While the graphics haven't aged terribly well, the style, humor, and gameplay is fantastic. Fable 2 is my most anticipated game of the "current-gen".

modified @ Jul 7th 2008 4:37PM

I wonder if they are going to set a cap so there aren't people so wealthy they can just buy up everything in the game.

Recycledpast @ Jul 7th 2008 4:48PM

Preordering gets you the mini games early...
Keystone, Spinnerbox, and Fortune's Tower are included in the game as part of the full retail copy of Fable II

DiggyStyle @ Jul 7th 2008 4:52PM

The first Fable was a great game. I had a blast playing through it 3 or 4 times between the Xbox and PC versions. I never played the "Lost chapters" edition of the game, but my buddy said it adds 4-6 hours and adds more weapons, armor and story.

As far as the "reviews" go, Mr. Molyneaux (SP?) has always had grand visions for his epic games (Black & White, Populous) and the first Fable was no exception. There were just some promises that he couldn't deliver on due to the technology of the time and development time. In my opinion, Peter Molyneaux is on the verge of a "Developers Hall of Fame" nomination with all of the innovations his game companies have produced over the years; Fable 2 might seal the deal for me.

Question...does anyone know which of the "participating retailers" will be serving these pub games up for free with a pre-order?

Tez (PSN: Tezasaurus) @ Jul 7th 2008 5:10PM

Can someone explain how a roulette wheel and slot machine are preorder incentives? Or how they justify charging $10 for them?

ComradeTrotskii @ Jul 7th 2008 6:10PM

My understanding is that these are minigames that appear ingame to allow you to gamble your (ill gotten) gains. By getting these early you will be able to build up a bankroll which can then be transferred to the full game when you buy it.

This of course means that you will have plenty of spare cash to buy stuff (weapons/dog food/prostitutes/nude pictures of Peter Molyneux) when the game is released without having to grind that cash.

So for some this certainly a huge bonus, worth paying $10 for, and if you don't want to 'break' the in game economy (unless of course they've implemented a clever counter this) then you can just ignore them totally like I will be doing.

Flakundenga @ Jul 7th 2008 5:12PM

I'm looking forward to this game over GoW 2 because I simply loved the 1st one. I had no expectations for it so I guess that's why I thought it was so good. For this one I haven't read any previews of any kind to make sure it doesn't disappoint me. Good thing the Pub Games are given with the pre-order :D

Ordeith @ Jul 7th 2008 5:27PM

what and spoil all the fun?

ToRo @ Jul 7th 2008 7:27PM

So when and where do we pre order? I rarely ever pre order but I like the idea of fake gambling for in game money. Brings me back to when I was hooked on that free texas hold em game they gave out for free a while back ago. So far that makes 3 games I'm going or already bought this year GTAIV, Rockband2, Fable 2. I'm gonna have to get gamefly for all those other games.