Fable 2 creator reveals 2-player online co-op mode (News)

Sid Shuman, GamePro (online)

21/02/2008 11:12:48

Today, Peter Molyneux unveiled two-player online cooperative play for Fable 2, the Xbox 360 action-RPG expected to launch this fall. Molyneux demonstrated the new co-op feature in real-time, inviting a friend into his game without a hitch. The second player warped in with a slick, Matrix-style distortion effect and the two-player gameplay began. Molyneux's character fought side-by-side with his partner; Molyneux also said that players could invite a friend at any time -- even in the middle of battle.

Two-player Fable 2 appears to be a more energetic experience, especially in combat. Molyneux and his partner slashed through mobs of monsters; Molyneux said players would earn bonus experience points for double-teaming enemies. Co-op players can also keep the loot they earned to take back to their single-player quest.

Co-op play in Fable 2 appears to broaden the game's combat tactics. Molyneux's character focused on shooting enemies with a powerful pistol, while his partner slashed away with a sword. Molyneux explained the simplicity of Fable 2's combat: magic, melee, and guns each have a dedicated button, so it's apparently quite easy to swap between them in the heat of battle.

Also, Molyneux described Fable 2's combat system in more detail: quick button taps triggers unskilled strikes with the pistol or sword; tapping in a set rhythm unleashed more powerful attacks; holding the attack button charged up a slow, devastating blow. The pistol worked slightly differently in that holding the attack button triggered a crosshair for precision aiming. Molyneux begged off on explaining anything related to magic, which is a crucial part of Fable gameplay but has yet to be seen in Fable 2.