Microsoft announces the official release date of Fable II

Microsoft Games Studios and Lionhead Studios announced the official release date of the much awaited game Fable II. As per the announcements, the game will be hitting the US markets on October 21, 2008, while the European markets will get the game on October 24th. Fable II will be subsequently released in rest of the world within a few months.

Fable II, the sequel to the popular game Fable was first announced at the Games Developer Conference (GDC) 2008. The sequel claims to have packed in more punches and more rich experience than the first part.

Fable II also claims to introduce a new combat system where the players can master the hand weapons, ranged combat weapons and magic. The game claims to be best suited for both casual gamers and hardcore gamers as it involves the use of different single button on Xbox 360 controllers, making it user friendly. It also promises to offer thrilling action, heart-wrenching emotional ‘genre-bending’ and Xbox Live multiplayer mode. Player can also engage themselves into a solo mode or in co-op mode.

Till the game is released, players can have a peek into the Albion world in Fable II by participating in the Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA). XBLA will be featuring the latest game on August 13, 2008. Also featuring will be the Fable II Pub Games which the players who have pre-ordered a copy of the game are free to access. For those who haven’t pre-ordered can download the Fable II Pub Games via Xbox LIVE for 800 Microsoft points. Fable II has been rated as ‘M’ for Mature.

Apart from the release date, Fable II’s Limited Collector’s Edition was also announced, that includes:

Bonus DVD – Includes new ‘Making-of Feature’ with Peter Molyneux and the team at Lionhead Studios and concept art viewer

Bonus In-Game Content (Requires LIVE account) – Includes “The Hall of the Dead” Dungeon, “The Wreckager” Legendary Cutlass Weapon and Otherworldly Bonus

Collectible Hobbe figure with accessories – From the Qee Collection comes this one-of-a-kind Hobbe figure. Nasty, brutish, and short, he roams the countryside, preying on travelers and spiriting away the children of the unwary.

48-hour Xbox LIVE Gold Trial Card – With Xbox LIVE Gold, players can show off their individual hero by inviting friends into their unique version of Albion or they can visit their friends’ Albion, and earn additional gold, experience and renown to take back into their own.

Five printed Fate Cards – These five beautiful cards foretell the Hero’s great destiny to journey across all of Albion, encountering deadly enemies and enigmatic allies. The path leads to a choice that will change the world forever.

The Limited Collector’s Edition is available at an estimated price of $79.99 and the standard version of Fable II is available for an estimated retail price of $59.99.