Fable II offers cooperative play, as a second player can hop in at any time to contribute in combat and in NPC interactions. Online cooperative play is being patched into the game on day one of release through an Xbox Live update. The second player is a guest in the main player's world, who can't move the story forward or make any purchases from shops, but the system makes for a good way for two players to experience the story and adventure together.
The Dog Whisperer
But even if you don't have a real life friend to play Fable II with, you'll have a furry four-legged best friend to keep you company on your journey. The dog companion is a remarkably fun, versatile, and endearing feature that manages to not only entertain through its adorable antics, but also serves a variety of functionally useful purposes. The dog is primarily your assistant treasure hunter, sniffing out chests and finding spots where you can dig up buried goods. If you hear your trusty pal bark, there's treasure nearby, and he'll lead you right to it. As you grow in power, your dog will also become better at sniffing out loot, encouraging you to go back to previously explored regions so that you can find new goodies.
The dog is also your stalwart ally in combat, pouncing on foes as they fall to the ground and delivering vicious bites to their nether regions. He also serves as an early warning system, growling to alert his master when enemies are near. Like everything else in Fable II, your dog will change with you, so if you're a force for goodness and purity your hound will be a tail-wagging pooch with a light brown coat, while darker characters will have meaner looking animal companions.
The problem with Fable II's role-playing experiences lies in the disconnect inherent in the expression system. You can't take part in any meaningful conversations, as your character can only express him or herself with these expressions. You can dance, whistle, fart, and growl, but sometimes you'll want to learn more about those around you, or to relay some meaning that can't be conveyed in a flex or gesticulation.
The storyline is entertaining even without the ability to properly express yourself, and to the game's credit, your actions speak more loudly than words ever could. Even without a proper voice, your character will find ways to get its point across.
