Buried like some kind of cursed treasure at the bottom of this week’s episode of the official Xbox Podcast was news about Playground Games’ long-awaited Fable. I call it “treasure” because it included a rare glimpse at gameplay, but “cursed” because it came with the dreaded caveat that accompanies so many development updates: a delay. Originally planned for a launch this year, Fable is now set to release in 2026.
Delays, though frustrating, are often a sign of a developer's commitment to delivering a polished product. In Fable’s case, this additional time could mean a richer, more detailed world. While we wait, there’s no better time to revisit the Fable series, particularly Fable 2, which stands as a highpoint in the franchise and a unique RPG experience crafted by Lionhead Studios back in 2008.
By today's RPG standards, Fable 2 is refreshingly unique. Even compared to contemporaries like Fallout 3 and BioWare’s early 3D games, it stands out with its singular vision. While it maintains a traditional campaign structure with a linear main story and eclectic side quests, its RPG mechanics simplify the often complex stat systems of games like Oblivion and Neverwinter Nights, making it highly accessible to newcomers.
Fable 2 streamlines gameplay with just six main skills that affect your health, strength, and speed. There's only a single damage stat for weapons, and no such complexities for armor or accessories. Combat, while prevalent, remains straightforward yet spiced up with creative spellcasting, including the delightful Chaos spell that forces enemies to dance and scrub floors. Even death in Fable 2 is forgiving, with the only penalty being a minor loss of XP.
In essence, Fable 2 is the perfect RPG for those new to the genre. Back in 2008, when Oblivion’s vast Cyrodiil could be overwhelming, Fable 2’s Albion offered a more manageable experience through a series of smaller, easy-to-navigate maps. With your faithful canine companion alerting you to adventure, you can explore beyond the main paths to uncover secrets like buried treasure, sunken caves, and the intriguing Demon Doors. This approach creates a sense of scale and opportunity within a more contained world, guiding players through linear pathways between landmarks rather than allowing them to get lost in an open world.
While Albion may not compare to the vastness of BioWare’s Infinity Engine games or the quirky worlds of Bethesda’s Morrowind, it shouldn't be judged by conventional RPG standards. Fable 2’s focus is on a world teeming with life, reminiscent of Maxis’ The Sims. Viewed through this lens, Albion is a remarkable simulation of society.
Albion functions like a living, breathing organism. Each day, its inhabitants follow routines, with town criers announcing shop openings and the late hours. Every citizen has an inner life driven by their roles and preferences. Through a variety of gestures, you can interact with them, delighting, insulting, impressing, or even seducing them. A well-timed fart can have pub patrons laughing into their beers, while mocking children might send them running to their parents. These interactions allow you to shape Albion’s society, either charming them with your heroism or alienating them with your villainy.
As a Hero, you're destined for grand adventures, but Fable 2 shines when you immerse yourself in its society. You can purchase nearly every building, from houses to shops, using money earned from jobs like woodcutting and blacksmithing. As a landlord, you can set rental prices, or personalize your home. You can even woo NPCs with their favorite gestures, leading to romance and family life. While these elements might feel artificial individually, together they create a vibrant sense of life.
Few RPGs have replicated Fable’s approach to societal simulation. Even the acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3 lacks the organic romances and property market dynamics of Fable 2. However, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 comes close with its responsive world and NPC interactions. If Playground Games aims to stay true to Fable’s roots, they should look to Rockstar’s living world rather than the current trend of tabletop-inspired RPGs.
Playground Games must also preserve Fable’s quintessentially British humor, including its satire of the class system and its penchant for cheeky humor. The cast of beloved actors, like Richard Ayoade and Matt King, already hints at this. But most crucially, they need to maintain Lionhead’s approach to morality.
Peter Molyneux, the founder of Lionhead Studios and lead designer of the Fable series, has always been fascinated by the dichotomy of good and evil. This theme was central to Lionhead’s first project, Black & White, and continued through Molyneux’s career. Fable 2, however, simplifies this choice to extremes, offering players the chance to be either wholly good or utterly evil, with no middle ground. This binary approach leads to comedic and creative quest outcomes, such as choosing to clear pests or destroy a trader’s stock, or deciding the fate of a ghost’s former lover.
Modern RPGs often focus on nuanced moral choices, but Fable thrives on its black-and-white morality. This allows players to fully embrace being the most heroic hero or the most villainous villain, with the game’s world reacting to these choices. Fable 2’s quests and world dynamics support this approach, making the extremes feel impactful and rewarding.
It’s unclear if Playground Games will capture this essence of Fable. The recent development update showed 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay, but it was too brief to fully convey the Fable experience, aside from the iconic chicken kick. The footage suggests a more detailed world with an open environment and a dense, lively city, hinting at a continuation of Fable 2’s societal simulation.
With a year until the new Fable’s release, now is the perfect time to revisit or discover Fable 2. Its unique charm and oddities are what make it beloved, and it’s crucial that Playground Games retains these elements. We don’t need a Fable that mimics The Witcher or Baldur’s Gate; we need Fable to remain true to itself, complete with its humor and distinctive gameplay.
