Fable 2 Pub Games – Xbox Live Arcade review

Gaming’s version of a get rich quick scheme

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Two fun and addictive games

  • +

    Balance of chance and strategy

  • +

    Money carries over to Fable 2

Cons

  • -

    Pricey for what you get

  • -

    Spinnerbox sucks

  • -

    Easily exploited

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Apparently trying to drum up anticipation for the release of Fable 2, developer Lion Head has spewed forth this mini-collection of minigames. While designed to be passable time-wasters, these three games, including Keystone, Fortune’s Tower, and Spinnerbox also have a nefarious hook: money you earn in these promo games actually carries over when you buy and play the full Fable 2 game, so you can start out already rich.

Keystone

Fable 2’s take on Craps is a remarkably strong and balanced game of chance, with lots of different ways to gamble on the outcome of the roll of three dice. The strongest and most skillful of the three, Keystone isn’t quite the most fun…

Fortune’s Tower

A game of almost pure luck, Fortune’s Tower shouldn’t be nearly as much fun as it is. It’s a straight card-drawing game, with each fresh draw offering more cash but a higher chance of failure. It’s deliciously nerve-wracking as each line reveals itself. Unfortunately, someone discovered anexploitthat allows you to get rich way too easily. Hopefully this problem will be fixed soon.

Spinnerbox

Spinnerbox is Fable’s fruit machine, minus everything that makes fruit machines fun; and fruit machines aren’t much fun anyway, so as you’d expect, it’s the weakest of the bunch. No holds, no nudges- just a tap of the A button and a spin of the discs; matches score, odd symbols fail. That’s about it. Ignore, unless you’re a serious, mental gambling addict.

Overall, Fable 2 Pub Games is a very expensive package, but the rewards in the wider world of Fable 2 could be great. It’s essential only for players who plan on spending a lot of time with the full game.

Aug 22, 2008

More info

GenreOther Games/Compilations
DescriptionFable 2 Pub Games is a very expensive package, but with two fun and addicting games out of three the rewards in the wider world of Fable 2 could be great.
Franchise nameFable
UK franchise nameFable
Platform"Xbox 360"
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
More
CATEGORIES
Latest in Games
Psyduck looking stressed next to Misty
Pokemon streamer builds a controller so bad that it takes them a full 80 minutes to walk to FireRed's first city
Doom
All 55 of these games are under $5 in Steam Spring Sale 2025, which is just silly for Metroidvanias, RPGs, roguelikes, and more gems this good
Concept art of the Arkavir, a bulky alien race from Exodus with sharp and scaley skin.
Mass Effect veteran's new sci-fi RPG Exodus introduces an alien race, and they're so hardcore they put the Krogans to shame
Jurassic Park Survival
As Jurassic Park Survival, John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, and the Star Wars KOTOR remake remain MIA, Saber CEO promises "everything that we have talked about is still in development"
Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Zero Dawn star Ashly Burch responds to Sony's controversial AI Aloy by pushing for actor protections: "You have to compensate us fairly, and you have to tell us how you're using this AI"
Silent Hill f
Silent Hill f's ESRB rating has zero chill: "Faces ripped apart," "a character burned alive inside a cage," and "entrails and sinew displayed on serving platters"
Latest in Reviews
HeroQuest box, models, tokens, board, and cards on a wooden table
HeroQuest review: "The grandaddy of dungeon crawlers"
A reviewer turning the modules of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot
Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot review: “Its novel concept of a spinning, modular design is hamstrung by its lack of options”
Razer USB 4 Dock in silver on a wooden desk
Razer USB 4 Dock review: "solid, reliable, and surprisingly well-priced"
Lenovo Legion Go S with FlyKnight gameplay on screen featuring player character holding bow and arrow with enemy ant in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S Windows 11 review: “my heart aches for this mixed up handheld”
Talisman 5th Edition game components
Talisman 5th Edition review: "The characterful imperfections of the original game remain clear to see "
WWE 2K25
WWE 2K25 review: "A colossal package even if you never go anywhere near Virtual Currency"