Fable 2 is an improvement over the original, but still falls a bit short compared to other open-world RPG's.
If you have played the original, then everything should feel somewhat familiar. Although the combat has been simplified to single button presses, and buttons have been utilized for the 360 controller, it still feels like Fable in terms of combat, magic and expressions. Guns have been added to the mix and provides a new way of fighting enemies, combos can be chained together with all three combat options for more experience and it feels smooth and fun. The way you play the game can affect those around you, being rude or a murderer of the innocents will lead to people fearing you and will flee from you, while being funny and kind will cause the people to love and cheer for you. This mechanic (while existing in the original Fable) has been improved with the ability to have children, and what you do will affect their personalities as well. The addition of the dog makes things a bit easier as well. Not only will your little friend follow you every where you go, but he will sniff out treasures and join in on your expressions if you teach him how. Your dog is a loyal companion throughout the quest no matter who you become. There are still a few flaws, however, slowdown shows its' ugly head in frantic situations, sometimes shop owners aren't working when they should be and you can't purchase anything until they come back, gold is way too easy to earn once you've owned some property ( I mean, seriously, I gained 100,000 gold from not playing one time, it feels undeserved) and it makes working pointless, and the game is just too easy. Most people will get through the game without dying even once. But overall, it is a great experience that any fan of action-RPGs should try.
Graphics - 7.5/10
There are some areas that are beautiful, such as the farmlands but there isn't much else to look at. It's just decent at best compared to other 360 games out there. The art style is great and I love the direction, but it doesn't feel like much of an improvement over the original overall.
Animations - 7.5/10
Some animations during combat are smooth, but there are a lot of objects such as; debris and water splashes that strangely run at a slower framerate than everything else. It was distracting to see this. The dog animations are great but sometimes my avatar didn't feel like he was walking on the environment, instead he would feel like he was floating instead. Much could have been done to improve some of the animations in the game, overall.
Sound - 7/10
Combat sounds are fine and do their job and everyone speaks, which is sometimes a problem. Many people sound the same, but it's when people constantly surround you and speak simultaneously that the game becomes annoying. People will constantly ask you the same questions at times and just wont stop talking. It's like that little brother who wont stop asking questions when you just want to be left alone. People would even gather in your house uninvited and talk up a storm, it's not like they have anything interesting to say either, it's repeated. Voice acting overall is not much different from the original Fable, it's not great, but it's not bad either.