The one-button combat of Fable 2 has been one key concern for core gamers since it was announced months ago. The idea that Lionhead would undermine its latest masterpiece with a dull hack 'n' slash combat mechanic seemed like a ludicrous idea - and sent shivers down our spines here at TVG. At Showcase however, it became apparent that there shouldn't be too much cause for alarm, with the revelation that combat will evolve and stack, as players spend XP on upgrading the three main areas of combat: swords, guns, and magic. Each of the three are linked to one of the controller's face buttons, and at first, a hack 'n' slash swing of the sword is indeed the only move that the hero can pull off. The implementation of time in Fable 2 is an important one, and it's something that's also linked to combat. As time goes on, and more and more XP is spent on the three trees of combat, the hero essentially becomes ever more masterful, opening up a range of fighting techniques that are stacked on the individual buttons.

For instance, specialising in sword combat over time, allows players to hold the button for a flurry of sword swings, whilst later (more powerful) moves will be unlocked with a series of button taps set to a rhythm. The same goes for the gun and magic buttons too, with the latter providing eight unique spells that are eventually unlocked to be cast at range or surround the hero. Combat also becomes something of a self-fulfilling prophecy, with players getting rewarded for being more imaginative in battle. As Molyneux himself put it, "The cooler you are with combat, the greater the XP!"