Escaping for hours inside "Fable II" is similar to escaping to the middle of a world that's a cross between Middle Earth from "Lord of the Rings" and the London area you might picture while reading Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations."

In the game, you play the role of a hero who is out to save the world from evil while avenging your sister's death. The twist here: it's as if Big Brother has a constant eye on you.

Your reputation grows based on your actions. You can be a noble hero who always does the right thing, thinks of others first, and earns money the old-fashioned way. Or, you can steal, take on dark missions for big profits, and join devil worshipping cults.

Throughout the game, you socialize using expressions you earn and learn along the way. Money can be used to buy a home, a business, a gift for your spouse, if you choose to take one, etc. Whatever missions you decide to take on, you'll take on with your trusty canine companion who'll not only help you in battle, as you work your way through town or the countryside, he'll sniff out treasures for you dig up.

"Fable II," which requires absolutely zero knowledge of its predecessor to get instantly hooked, is an XBOX 360 exclusive that'll require about $50. The game is rated M for Mature.

"Mortal Combat vs. DC Universe" brings fans of comic books and this legendary video game series together into the same room.

Of course there's the straight-out mode for just wailing away. But the story mode allows you to pick either "Mortal Combat" characters or DC Comics characters, which include both good guys and bad – from Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman to the Joker and Lex Luthor.

The story goes that their two universes have somehow merged, but all these characters cannot co-exist, so they duke it out until only one side remains. Because of the strange circumstances surrounding the universe merge though, some characters have taken on new abilities and weaknesses, so that guys like Lex Luthor can hold his own while heroes like Superman can't just breeze through the game.

"Mortal Combat vs. DC Universe" is rated T for Teen and is out on the Playstation3 and XBOX 360. Price of admission to these legendary match-ups is about $60.