Peter Molyneux (pictured above) usually starts his presentations by saying, that the „last game was horrible and that we made a lot of mistakes“ to draw journalists on his side by this reflection. This time he tells us, that Fable 2 currently looks just terrible, but thankfully Lionhead Studios has one additional year to fine-tune this. He also announces, that the fighting system is aimed at first time players as well as pros -- only the latter can do cool stuff with it. The aim has been: „Can we have the whole fighting system to use only one button?“ Yes, they can – which he promptly showed off at his upcoming presentation.

Before we go into detail about how the fighting works, some of the usual Molyneux goodies: „What's the first thing you look at, when you see a girl? Right, her breasts. Which is why we added a look at function, that zooms in on what's currently most interesting around you.“ This, besides digital breast, also works for your dog, a distant enemy or a scene on a balcony above you. Death has become a feature as well: „You don't die, if you loose a fight. But you enemies might kick or stab you, while you're face down in the ground. If you're defeated too often, scares show up and you'll end up disfigured. And people will react accordingly -- don't underestimate the power of a punishment like that." Molyneux also hints at possible online capabilities of Fable 2, without gong into detail.

On the fighting system: It really works with just one button, but also promises to become one of the most complex among Action RPGs. We counted no less than eight different tactics and actions, triggered by just one button. (1.) mashing the button kills a lot of enemies, but gets you the standard amount of points. Well timed (2.) hits are more precise. Keeping (3.) the button pressed, while running towards the enemy results in a charge-attack and is rewarded by twice the points. Using (4.) a well timed attack, while the opponent is taking a stab at you, results in a counter attack where you grab and kill him from behind – that's four times the usual points. Add the (5.) environment, to impaling someone on a garden fence or (6.) press him against a wall. Throwing (7.) objects works as well. And when you're very close to an opponent, you'll engage in hand-to-hand (or feet-to-feet) combat.

So the fighting system depends on the situation and position you are in and will work the same way for magic and over a distance -- all actions can be combined as well. But Lionhead cheats a little during fights. If you concentrate one a single opponent, the others will take a step back. Peter Molyneux: „The fights are supposed to be entertaining, like in Hollywood movies, where the bad guys always wait their turn to get beaten up.“