Fable II patched on Day One

Fantasy role-playing game fans eager to try out the much-hyped online co-op functionality built into Microsoft Game Studios’ new Fable II might be disappointed to learn it’s not available on the disc.

Fret not, weary adventurer, as Fable II was "patched" last Tuesday, the day the disc was available at retail, to include the clever co-op multi-player feature. This update is available as a free download via Xbox Live.

Once the game is fixed, Fable II players can be summoned over the Internet by way of their Xbox Live ID "gamertag" and join someone in their game immediately. The two can then go on quests together – even though they might be in different cities or countries – and all items, coins and experience earned in the hosted game will transfer back to your own when you play solo again.

Players can also engage in a co-op game in front of the same TV by pressing the start button on a second Xbox 360 controller.

As with its four-year-old predecessor (which sold three million copies on the original Xbox), Fable II lets you roam the huge world of Albion, take on missions and combat foes – standard fare for role-playing games, sure – but this sequel is even more tied to choices and consequences; at many times throughout the game, players are faced with moral decisions that shape their character and future interactions.

You also get a faithful dog to join you on your journeys, who can sniff out danger and treasures.