Well, after all the delays, the screenshots, and everyone telling us how great it was going to be, Fable II downloadable content, Knothole Island, finally arrived last week.
Fable II was one of my favourite games last year, so you can imagine the anticipation I felt when January 12 rolled round and the content was finally there. I handed over the 800 Microsoft Points entry fee without batting an eyelid and dived in.
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| What’s a scary black wraith like you doing in a beautiful, snowy landscape like this? |
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I wonder if he lives in that Yellow Submarine? |
The first thing I noticed was the graphics: the snow falling gently around you as your footsteps leave prints, only for them to fade slowly away as they get filled back up again. The atmosphere it gives is very special indeed. It really draws you back in and makes you feel a part of the world.
In fact, environmental graphics play a huge role in Knothole Island. It's as though the development team was showing off just how they can change the way a town looks due to what weather conditions are currently present. Without giving too much story away, the weather changes drastically throughout the story, and at one point Knothole Island becomes an arid area with huge gulleys where rivers once flowed, with the sun's heat rays affecting your vision. You're also subjected to floods, so all of a sudden you're navigating your way through a very different environment, even though it's still Knothole Island. For example, the gulleys have now completely overflowed and become rivers; many of the pathways are streams etc.
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| The NPCs are as endearing as ever. |
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Simply breathtaking. |
However, these changes aren't simply superficial. Although they look stunning, the manner in which you traverse the different states gives you access to areas that you thought too difficult to get to previous. In fact, as with everything Fable II, every time you try something new you are rewarded. Have I been down there? Have I checked out that area? Go and investigate and lo and behold you'll find some treasure, or your dog will bark and show you a dig spot. This is really the way the full game - and therefore the DLC - should be played: investigate everything, go everywhere, as 99 percent of the time there's a new item to be found. Even if it's something as useless as a pair of paupers pants, the psychological boost collecting something new gives you is played upon heavily by Lionhead, and is something I was indeed grateful for when I saw it continue in Knothole.
The above exploration/reward gameplay element should make Knothole Island last about four hours, if not more. If you want to get all the achievements, then finding the right items to exchange in Roses Shop (find out for yourselves) can maybe extend that a little bit, especially as some of the tasks involve you sleeping for a week in order to get the item at hand. On the subject of items, there are now potions to make you thinner, fatter, taller and indeed shorter. There are new dyes, new armour, new weapons and a whole host of fancy collectibles to satisfy your passive obsessive nature.
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| One of Knothole’s many dark caverns. |
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Simply breatht…oh wait, I said that already! |
The only real problem is that the main plotline doesn't really present you with much of a challenge. In fact, I would recommend starting a new character and starting again, as if you use your old one the enemies that stand between you and your goal can be easily disposed of, and by the end of the game you should be able to overcome most obstacles. So if you find yourself thinking it's too easy, bear in mind you can have three different characters per Xbox Live profile and remember that Knothole Island is for all players, and not just us seasoned veterans.
In short, for what is only a few dollars, Euros or pounds, I think Knothole Island is a must for any Fable II fan. It brings you back to that relaxed, almost serene world. You remember: the one with the relaxing music and affable - if not a bit silly - townsfolk. The one where the sun goes down and reflects off the water as you stand there moving the camera and watching the god rays dance around as your dog lies patiently by your side, waiting for your next move. Magic.
Top Gaming moment: Bringing your *** back to life!
