The original "Fable" had been so hyped that when it finally came out, people were disappointed. Features had been cut, and the action role-playing game wasn't quite what was expected.

"Fable II" was a little less hyped, and I think people will find little in which to be disappointed.

The sequel, taking place 500 years after the events in the first game, takes what I considered a good game and expands it into a great game.

For starters, you can now play as a girl if you want. I always like that option in any game.

You have a dog who loyally follows you around. He points out treasure chests and places to dig, fights with you in battle and helps you win over the hearts of the people. I love the dog.

The new combat system lets you use melee, ranged weapons and magic without making you choose one over the others. Plus, ammo and magic points are unlimited, which is nice.

These new combat types work well in combination with each other: You can shoot an arrow to slow someone down, run up and hit them with a sword, then use magic to push them back again. For each of these actions, you earn experience points for buying new skills.

The "Fable II" world is much more open. Where previously you were limited to a narrow path, you now can roam wherever you want in a given area.

Possibly the biggest improvement is the addition of co-op. A friend can join your game at any time and help you defeat enemies.

When you are not busy with quests and fighting enemies, you can earn money by working jobs or gambling. Your money then can buy you new weapons, clothes, homes, businesses and furniture. It's possible to buy up every piece of property in a city.

You also interact with the townsfolk, either by being nice or terrorizing them (depending on whether you're taking the good or evil route). Get someone to like you enough, and you can marry them. Of course, once you do that, you have to keep them happy by buying them things and visiting them every once in a while.

Strangely, the main character still doesn't talk, which means key scenes are one-sided and feel a little emotionally lacking.

I also found the map to be useless; it was easier to set a path of light to lead me to my destination than read the stupid map. And I kept accidentally hitting the B button -- used to back out of menus -- at times when it would cast magic instead and terrify the very people I was trying to win over.

"Fable II" isn't perfect, but it's ambitious and very funny at times, and it's a perfect successor to the first game.

Fable II

Microsoft, for Xbox 360

Rated: Mature

Cost: $59.99

Score: 8.5/10