Buried within this week's Xbox Podcast was exciting news, and a hint of disappointment, regarding Playground Games' highly anticipated Fable. The excitement? A rare glimpse of gameplay. The disappointment? A delay. Initially slated for release this year, Fable is now set for 2026.
While delays are rarely welcome, they often signal a commitment to quality. In Fable's case, let's hope this extra time allows for a truly rich and detailed world. But that wait presents a perfect opportunity: now's the ideal time to revisit (or discover!) the Fable games, particularly Fable 2, a series high point and a truly unique RPG.
By today's standards, *Fable 2* is unusual. Even compared to its 2008 contemporaries (like *Fallout 3* and early BioWare 3D titles), its vision is singular. It features a traditional campaign structure with a linear main story and side quests, but its RPG systems are remarkably streamlined. Forget complex stat blocks; *Fable 2* is incredibly approachable, even for RPG newcomers.Six core skills govern health, strength, and speed. Weapon damage is the only significant stat to consider, simplifying combat to enjoyable swashbuckling, enhanced by creative spellcasting (like the hilarious Chaos spell). Death itself is inconsequential, resulting only in a minor XP penalty.
Fable 2 is the perfect RPG for those new to the genre. In 2008, Oblivion's vast world might have felt overwhelming. Fable 2's Albion, however, offered smaller, manageable maps, easily navigated with your canine companion. You can freely explore, discovering secrets like buried treasure and hidden caves, creating a sense of scale beyond the game's actual size. Albion's geography is restrictive, guiding you along linear paths, but this isn't a flaw; it's a design choice.
Albion may pale in comparison to the vast worlds of BioWare's Infinity Engine games or Bethesda's Morrowind, but judging it by modern standards is unfair. Fable 2 prioritizes a bustling, living world. Consider it a remarkable social simulation, akin to The Sims.
While you're a hero destined for grand adventures, Fable 2 is more engaging when you immerse yourself in its society. You can buy properties, become a landlord, furnish your home, and even woo NPCs, eventually starting a family. Individually, these elements feel artificial, but together, they create a remarkable sense of life.
A well-executed fart may have the patrons of a pub howling into their beers. Few RPGs have replicated this. Even Baldur's Gate 3 lacks the organic romances and property market manipulation of Fable 2. However, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a similar experience, with its responsive NPCs and detailed interactions. If the new Fable stays true to its roots, it should learn from Red Dead Redemption 2's living world, not just from tabletop RPGs.
Playground Games also needs to capture Fable's British humor, its witty satire, and its memorable characters. But perhaps most importantly, it must retain Lionhead's approach to good and evil.
But that's a year away. In the meantime, experience (or revisit) Fable 2. You'll understand its charm and the importance of preserving its unique qualities. We don't need a Fable reimagined as a Witcher or Baldur's Gate clone. We need Fable to be Fable, warts and all.
