Don't Wait For Fable, Play Fable 2 Instead

Buried within this week's Xbox Podcast was exciting, albeit bittersweet, news about Playground Games' Fable. A rare glimpse of gameplay was revealed, but unfortunately, it came with a delay. Originally slated for release this year, Fable is now targeting 2026.

While delays are rarely welcome, they often signal a commitment to quality. Hopefully, this extra time allows Fable's richly detailed world to fully flourish. In the meantime, there's no better way to pass the time than by revisiting the Fable series, particularly Fable 2—a standout entry and a unique RPG experience.

Even by today's standards, Fable 2 remains remarkably unusual. Compared to its 2008 contemporaries (like Fallout 3 and BioWare's early 3D titles), its vision is singular. While featuring a traditional campaign structure with a main story and side quests, its RPG systems are refreshingly streamlined. Forget complex stat blocks; Fable 2 is incredibly approachable, even for RPG newcomers.

Only six main skills govern health, strength, and speed. Weapon damage is the sole combat stat to consider, simplifying the experience. Combat, while present, is lighthearted and swashbuckling, enhanced by creative spellcasting (like the hilarious Chaos spell). Death itself is almost inconsequential—a minor XP penalty is the only punishment for depleting health.

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 manageable, interconnected maps. Players can freely explore, aided by a loyal canine companion, uncovering secrets like buried treasure and hidden caves. This creates a sense of scale and adventure exceeding the game's actual size. Albion's geography is linear, guiding players along set paths. It's not a world designed for getting lost in the traditional sense.

Albion, while not as expansive as the worlds of BioWare's Infinity Engine games or Bethesda's Morrowind, shouldn't be judged by those standards. Fable 2 prioritizes a bustling, living world. Consider it through the lens of The Sims—a remarkable simulation of society.

Albion functions like a complex, organic system. Citizens wake, work, and sleep, reacting to events and each other. Like Sims families, each citizen has a unique personality and routine. Using an extensive library of gestures, players can interact, influencing Albion's inhabitants through charm or antagonism. Fable 2 truly delivers on the promise of reactive NPCs and a living city.

While the player is a Hero, Fable 2 is most engaging when integrated into its society. Players can buy and manage properties, work various jobs (woodcutting and blacksmithing offer relaxing minigames), woo NPCs, and even start families. Individually, these elements might seem artificial, but collectively, they create a genuine sense of life.

A well-executed fart might have pub patrons howling with laughter.“Few RPGs have replicated this aspect. Even Baldur's Gate 3 lacks Fable 2's organic romances and property market. However, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a similar, albeit more refined, simulation of society. Rockstar's game features responsive NPCs who react believably to player actions. The interaction system, a more cinematic version of Fable 2's gestures, allows players to influence the lives of others. If Playground's Fable aims to stay true to its roots, Red Dead Redemption 2 should serve as a modern touchstone.

Playground Games must also preserve Fable's distinct elements. Its British humor, witty satire, and memorable characters are crucial. The binary approach to good and evil, a hallmark of the series, must also be retained.

Peter Molyneux, creator of Fable, has a fascination with good and evil. Fable 2's approach, however, differs from the nuanced choices in The Witcher or BioWare games. Fable 2 offers stark choices between absolute good and evil, embracing comedic extremes. Quests present clear-cut moral dilemmas, allowing players to become either the most heroic hero or the most villainous villain. The game's reactive world reflects these choices, shaping reputation and alignment. Fable 2's success lies in its simplicity; it focuses on two distinct paths, allowing for truly extreme choices without feeling overwhelming.

The recent development update, showcasing 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay, offered limited insight. While the footage hinted at a more detailed world and less restrictive gameplay than previous entries, the brief glimpse of a bustling city is particularly promising. It suggests that Playground Games has retained the Sims-like societal simulation that makes Fable 2 unique.

The wait for the new Fable is a year away. In the interim, revisiting Fable 2 is highly recommended. It’s a reminder of what makes the series special and why it's vital that Playground Games preserves its unique qualities. The new Fable shouldn't be a Witcher, Baldur's Gate, or Dragon Age clone. It needs to be Fable, in all its quirky glory.