Lionhead have a solid reputation to uphold after the bonus content featured within the Collectors Edition of Fable 2, and amazingly enough, they not only live up to expectations, but exceed them with this sequel!
First impressions are magnificent, with the full packaging consisting of a faux-leather tome slotted within a cardboard cover, which simply towers over the rest of a gaming collection. This does not look tacky, as I first feared it might, and with several Special Editions planning on using similar material for their own packaging, the presentation here has set my fears to rest over their appearance. Held within the covers is a standard DVD box (made from black plastic rather than the 360 specific garish green, which I found surprising) with a custom cover, which easily trumps that of the standard Vanilla Edition. However, also found within this packaging is a secret compartment, which pulls out to reveal the two physical items featured with this Edition: (1) a pack of Fable-themed playing cards, and (2) a guild-seal token. The former contains artwork from the game on each of the cards, and is a nice little collectible, and the latter, which I concede I originally believed would be a light piece of tat, is actually quite a weighty little creation which almost broke a knuckle when I first flipped it! Adorned with an aged-paint on both sides, one blue and one red to simulate good and evil, I doubt it will see much use as intended (to decide which path to take in-game), but it is a nice looking piece which fans will surely appreciate.
However, my interest really lies with the additional in-game content, and that is where this Collectors Edition truly shines. Not only is the standard Retail Incentive pack included, but the exclusive code unlocks a number of goodies for the player's use: (1) an exclusive house - the Hunting Lodge - and surrounding environ to explore; (2) a new dog breed potion - the Boxer; two new outfits - Male and Female Auroran Costume; (4) an exclusive quest set within the Silverpines, within which a unique sword - Wolfsbane, may be attained. A little something of almost everything, which should please almost everyone. If only there had been a bonus tattoo set - but those were saved for the controller and strategy guides, the cynic in me believes...
None of these are game changing, but they offer a touch of variety and choice, which in a game such as this is of paramount importance, and although opinions may be divided over the look of the dog breed and outfit, such opinions are entirely subjective. I personally like them both. The Hunting Lodge cannot be sold, nor can it be rented out to provide additional income, but as a personal residence it provides a classy surrounding for your character.
Lionhead Studio's reputation for providing damn good exclusive content lives on, I am pleased to say. This is the sort of content other developers should aspire to including within their own Special or Collectors Editions. A 'very well done' to them.
Price (New): £59.99
Box: Faux-Leather Book; Cardboard slip cover; Standard game case; Exclusive cover art.
In-game Content: 9
Physical Content: 4
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