Don't Wait For Fable, Play Fable 2 Instead

Buried like a cursed treasure at the bottom of this week's Xbox Podcast episode was news about Playground Games’ eagerly awaited Fable. I call it “treasure” because it included a rare glimpse at gameplay, but “cursed” because it came with the dreaded news of a delay. Initially slated for release this year, Fable is now set to launch in 2026.

Delays, while frustrating, are not necessarily bad news. In Fable's case, this extra time could mean a more richly detailed world. As we wait, it's the perfect opportunity to dive into the Fable series, especially Fable 2, the high point of the franchise and a unique RPG from Lionhead Studios released in 2008.

By today's RPG standards, Fable 2 stands out as quite unusual. Even compared to its contemporaries like Fallout 3 and BioWare's early 3D games, it's singular in its approach. While it follows a traditional campaign with a linear main story and eclectic side quests, its RPG systems are refreshingly simple. Instead of complex stat blocks, Fable 2 uses just six main skills to govern aspects like health, strength, and speed. Weapons have a single damage stat, and combat is straightforward, with creative spellcasting adding flair, such as the amusing Chaos spell that makes enemies dance or scrub floors. Even death in Fable 2 is lenient, with the only penalty being a minor loss of XP.

Fable 2 is the ideal RPG for newcomers to the genre. In 2008, when Oblivion's vast open world might have been overwhelming, Fable 2's Albion offered a more manageable series of smaller, navigable maps. With your faithful dog as a companion, you can explore beyond the main paths to uncover secrets like buried treasure and puzzle-filled Demon Doors. Though Albion’s geography is more linear, it creates a sense of scale and opportunity that belies its actual size.

While Albion may not compete with the expansive worlds of BioWare's Infinity Engine games or Bethesda's Morrowind, it shouldn't be judged by modern or contemporary RPG standards. Fable 2 prioritizes a world bustling with life, akin to Maxis' The Sims. Albion functions like a living, breathing organism, with its citizens following daily routines and reacting to your actions through an expansive library of gestures. You can delight, insult, impress, or seduce NPCs, influencing their behavior with your heroism or villainy.

In Fable 2, you're not just a Hero but a part of society. You can buy every building, from houses to shops, using money earned through various minigames. As a landlord, you can set rent prices, or personalize your home. The social aspect extends to romance, where you can woo NPCs and even start a family, creating a genuine sense of life despite the artificial nature of its components.

Few RPGs have replicated Fable's unique societal simulation. Even the acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3 lacks the organic romances and property management found in Fable 2. However, Red Dead Redemption 2 comes close with its responsive world and NPC interactions. If Playground's new Fable is to stay true to its roots, it should draw inspiration from Rockstar's living world rather than current tabletop-inspired RPGs.

Playground Games must also maintain Fable's distinct British humor, including satire of the class system and the beloved thespians reminiscent of Hogwarts' faculty, as seen in trailers with Richard Ayoade and Matt King. But perhaps most crucial is Lionhead’s approach to morality, which is central to the series.

Peter Molyneux, the founder of Lionhead Studios and lead designer of Fable, has always been fascinated with the dichotomy of good and evil. This was evident from Black & White to his latest project, Masters of Albion. Fable 2's morality system is binary, offering players the choice between angelic and demonic actions, with no middle ground. This approach shines in quests that offer stark choices, like clearing pests or destroying stock, or tormenting a former lover or marrying her.

Recent RPG development focuses on nuanced choices, but Fable thrives on its binary system. It allows players to be the ultimate hero or villain, a concept established in the first game with visible changes like devil horns and fully realized in Fable 2. The sequel's quests and reactive world shape your reputation and moral alignment, making extreme choices impactful.

It's unclear if Playground Games will capture this essence of Fable. The 50 seconds of pre-alpha footage from the recent update showed a detailed world, hinting at a more open and immersive Albion. A brief city shot suggests a dense, lively environment reminiscent of Fable 2's societal simulation. While we wait, revisiting Fable 2 can remind us why it's so beloved and why Playground Games must preserve its unique elements. We need Fable to remain Fable, complete with its quirky humor and moral extremes.