a) It’s his own game

b) This is Peter Molyneux we’re talking about

…it shouldn’t surprise you that he loves the game. Says that, unlike every other game he’s done recently, he hasn’t chucked a whole bunch of crap into it and hoped it all came out OK at the other end. No, this one’s got some polish. “It’s the best, most complete game I’ve ever worked on”, he says. So, what’s his score?

CHatting with Xbox World 360 magazine, he says he’d give the game 9/10. Hopefully kick-starting a trend where all prominent developers rate their scores prior to release. Can’t wait for Dude Huge’s Gears 2 review!

Molyneux rates Fable II “9 out of 10″ [Xbox World 360, via CVG] [Image]

He said that the patch for the game should be going live very soon, but when I asked him if the studio or Microsoft would be doing anything to those who raked in so much virtual cash he hit me with a no comment, followed by a “their could be repercussions.”

Do tell? Is there a gold reset on our horizon? Or does he just mean that people will have to deal with the heavy burden of playing Fable 2 knowing full well they’re cheater McCheaters?

Speaking with Lionhead Studio’s Sam Van Tilburgh earlier today I discovered that Pub Games won’t be the only way you can earn cash for Fable 2.

When the game’s official website relaunches it will include a web game or two that allows you to earn Fable 2 gold and unlock goodies like dye pots and a chicken suit for the game. All told, gamers will be able to unlock six to seven special items through the website, Van Tilburgh said. You can also earn coin through the games.

What about mobile games? Or iPhone games that will earn you Fable 2 cash. Van Tilburgh was cagey about the possibility, but said he’d mention he idea to Peter Molyneux.

According to the release, Pub Games is 800 MS points, or free it you preorder the game from a “participating retailer” (listed after the jump). Pub Games comes with the following “casino-styled” diversions:

Keystone: A combination of Craps and Roulette
Spinnerbox: An updated take on slot machines
Fortune’s Tower: A “press your luck” style of game

These should keep you occupied for two minutes or eternity, depending on how big a gambler you are. As for the CE, it’s packed with a number of goodies, including bonus in-game content (a dungeon and a weapon no less), five “Fate” cards and a figurine. This will set you back $119.95, while the normal game is $99.95. October 23 is given as a local launch date.

Full press release after the jump!

SYDNEY, Australia 13 August 2008 – Fans eager for a head start with the highly anticipated action role-playing game Fable II will be able to download special Pub Games on Xbox LIVE today.

Gamers will be able to test their luck in the Xbox LIVE Arcade title developed exclusively for Fable II – Any of the gold you make while playing the pub games can later be used in Fable II to buy weapons, clothing, houses, dog tricks, and more.

The Fable II pub games are available through a complementary download over Xbox LIVE to anyone who pre-orders a copy of Fable II at participating retailers. The games are also available for downloaded without the pre-order for 800 Microsoft points.

The high-stakes casino-style Pub Games (available as one download) are:

Keystone: A combination of Craps and Roulette
Spinnerbox: An updated take on slot machines
Fortune’s Tower: A “press your luck” style of game

The download also includes a Shell, which is a tutorial of all three games.

Fable II will reach Australia shores on October 23. In addition to the standard retail version (priced $99.95 RRP), Fable II will be offered in a Limited Collector’s Edition ($119.95 RRP) through participating retailers and will feature:

• Bonus DVD – Includes new ‘Making-of Feature’ with Peter Molyneux and the team at Lionhead Studios and concept art viewer
• Bonus In-Game Content (Requires LIVE account) – Includes “The Hall of the Dead” Dungeon, “The Wreckager” Legendary Cutlass Weapon and Otherworldly Bonus
• Collectible Hobbe figure with accessories – From the Qee Collection comes this one-of-a-kind Hobbe figure. Nasty, brutish, and short, he roams the countryside, preying on travelers and spiriting away the children of the unwary.
• 48-hour Xbox LIVE Gold Trial Card – With Xbox LIVE Gold, players can show off their individual hero by inviting friends into their unique version of Albion or they can visit their friends’ Albion, and earn additional gold, experience and renown to take back into their own.
• Five printed Fate Cards – These five beautiful cards foretell the Hero’s great destiny to journey across all of Albion, encountering deadly enemies and enigmatic allies. The path leads to a choice that will change the world forever.

Fable II Pre-Orders available from: EB Games, Game, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith Power House. Check with your local retailer for availability.