FABLE II

THE follow-up to Microsoft's 2004 hit Fable and the extended Lost Chapters version in 2005, this Xbox 360 release builds on the Picture Of Dorian Gray concept of evil begets ugliness that made the first romp so much fun.

Overseeing the development of Fable II was Lionhead, one of the key players on the first version, and the company has produced a winner.

Two years in the making, the game is again set in the fictional realm of Albion but we've moved forward 500 years to the time of Enlightenment - which means you get to play with guns as well as crossbows, swords and other weaponry.

The last game cast you as a male hero but this time you'll be choosing your own gender before you start on your path to good, evil or something in between as you seek revenge on the madman who murdered your sister.

The original title went where very few games dared to tread at the time when it allowed the male hero to romance others of the same persuasion (gender and morality).

Fable II continues to push the boundaries by allowing your character to don whatever sexuality he or she wants.

Morality is the key to the series' success and throw in a bit of risque humour, simple yet riveting storyline, good graphics, multiplayer co-op mode, loads of collectables, lots of side quests, smarter-than-average enemies and personable and quirky characters and you've got a must-have addition to any self-respecting game library.

There are some nit-picking annoyances, including graphic fragmentation and cumbersome interaction with Albion's many characters.