2021 marks 11 years since the release of the last mainline Fable game. But if you’re looking for the last title to actually be well received by fans, you have to go back even further to 2008, with the launch of the critically acclaimed Fable 2.
Over a decade of hurt later, the announcement that the series is being revived with a new game was met overwhelmingly positively. However, some eyebrows were raised over the team helming the project, as none of the original developers are known to be involved. Instead, the sequel is being developed by Playground Games, which has previously worked on the Forza Horizon series. But according to comments made by Xbox’s Phil Spencer, the new lot know what tone they need to aim for.
Speaking on a podcast with IGN, Spencer was discussing Avowed’s core fantasy setting, and went on to explain that “Fable’s never been that”. Elaborating, Spencer says “Fable’s always been a little more light-hearted, a little more British I think I can say. I think Playground will keep it there”.
Other than that, there wasn’t much to be said about the highly anticipated sequel. The Xbox boss did however hint that Fable 4 is further in development than Elder Scrolls VI, and could therefore launch first.
This comment may be aimed at those in the fanbase who are concerned that the series could have forgotten its Monty Python-inspired roots after so long out of the game. The reveal trailer gave us very little information to go on, but it appears that Microsoft is ensuring it’s tonally consistent with the rest of the series, but perhaps most importantly, unique from the other fantasy RPGs on the market.
Despite the promising news that Fable is further ahead than the next Elder Scrolls, it’s likely still going to be some time until it’s in our hands. Towards the end of April, Playground was still hiring scriptwriters for the project, suggesting that portion of the development has only just begun.