Lionhead Studios oversaw theFablefranchise for over a decade; from the release of the first entry in 2004, to the unfortunate cancellation ofFable Legendsin 2016,which also saw the closure of the studio. Fans of theFableseries feared that this spelled the end of their adventures in Albion, but in 2020, it was announced that a brand-new entry into theFablefranchise was being developed. The new game, which would serve as a sort of reboot for the series, is currently being developed by Playground Games, but the release date is yet to be revealed.
While fans are undoubtedly hyped for a newFablegame, there is still a fair amount of mystery surrounding the upcoming title. It’s unclear what the story will be, what features of the original games will be carried over, and if it will even be set in familiar lands, but players are excited about the next chapter regardless. One thing that the game should feature, however, is some kind ofnod to Lionhead Studiosand its role in bringing the originalFablegames to life.
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TheFablegames developed by Lionhead Studioswere unique. They had a fun approach to combat, a pleasingly cartoonish design that made the most of their fantasy setting, and a classic narrative approach to tales of good and evil. The gameplay was solid, and the games offered players the chance to indulge in some good old-fashioned adventuring, either as a heroic do-gooder or a borderline villain who loved to indulge in a bit of capricious cruelty. However, one of theFableseries' most iconic aspects was its sense of humor.
TheFablegames always ensured that players never took themselves or the world too seriously, even if there were some heavier moments and emotional twists to the tale of each title. Lionhead’sFablegames were lighthearted and irreverent, with gags inserted into the fantastical world and the epic narratives with predictable regularity.
Speaking in 2021,Xbox boss Phil Spencertalked about how theFablefranchise had always been “a little more British,” and that “Playground will keep it there.” Playground Games, also a British developer, should continue this characteristicFablethread throughout its own upcoming entry to ensure the game feels like a spiritual successor, as well as a way to honor Lionhead’s original creations.
The Next Chapter In Fable’s Story
Fans don’t have much to go on for the nextFableentry and are mostly relying on rumor and speculation. The game has reportedly beenin development at Playground Games for several years, with a large team working on the open-world action RPG. There are some slightly bizarre-sounding story details that have leaked since the nextFablewas announced, although these remain unsubstantiated.
Albion and Aurora have apparently been wiped out by a meteor, and the next title will be set in the far future when humans have once again reached a medieval level of technological advancement. There might also be some time travel and interplanetary adventuring on the cards, but again these are all still rumors at this point.
While it makes sense that Playground Games might want to adopt the clean slate approach, especially when it comes to narratives and timelines, the developer shouldn’t forget thebasic ingredients of aFablegame. Despite its slightly ignoble end, the studio bought beloved titles to gamers across the years and delivered the incredibly belovedFableandFable 2. Playground Games should attempt to find a way to recognize the previous developer’s contributions to the success of the series, either as something simple like a mention in the credits or in a moreFable-like fashion with some kind of tongue-in-cheek in-game joke.
Whatever the direction of the next game,Fableshouldn’t forget its Lionhead roots.Fable 3might have had a more mixed response than its predecessors, andFable Legendsmay have faced some controversyand not end up seeing the light of day, but it’s still a franchise that many gamers hold dear, and that achievement deserves to be honored.
Fableis in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
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