Over 15 years ago, the firstFablereleased and featured aspects not many other games had tried. Through its innovative morality system, the newFableallowed players to decide whether their character would be the hero or villain of the story. Whatever path the player decides to take their character down, the storybook fairy tail that follows still rivals modern storytelling in games. The two mainFablegames that followed would evolve on the concepts that the first nailed, with varying levels of success. Many thought the franchise dead after the first developer Lionhead Studios shuttered operations in April 2016, butFableis coming back for a new generation.
A newFablewas confirmed to be in development byPlayground Games at an Xbox Series X eventaround this time last year. As soon as it was announced, fans began speculating what the next title would look like. Some would prefer the IP to go back to its classic roots, while some might’ve preferred the steampunk vibe ofFable 3.However, in order for a newFableto really make a splash, Microsoft should remake the classic trilogy first. New players could get a proper introduction to the franchise, and existing fans could revisit the series. The trilogy could even be released in aFable Anniversary-style package, which has been shown to be successful.
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The Case for the Fable Remakes
Fablelikely served as many young gamers introduction into the RPG genre. Starting on their sister’s birthday, the player character quickly learns about tragedy and the worst of the inhabitants in Albion. From here, they spend years of training to get strong enough to take their revenge. Players must choose to be a hero that spares his enemies, or a villain that kills without impunity, with their appearance changing with each decision. This same theme is echoed in the sequels as well, where moral decisions have an effect on the game’s story. This reaches itspinnacle inFable 3,with players' decisions impacting whether or not Albion is engulfed by an evil force.
While all these stories are wonderfully told, the oldestFablegame is over 15 years old, and the most recent entry is over 10. The graphics don’t really stand up to modern day games, and could use a similartreatment asFable Anniversary.That being said, even the anniversary edition is seven years old, and could use a spit and polish as well. A proper remaster on current-gen consoles would allow for a whole new generation to become acquainted with Albion, while allowing the childhood fans to revisit some of their best memories in a whole new light.
Fable Anniversary is Proof Fable Remakes Will Sell
Fable Anniversaryis a remasterofFable: The Lost Chapterswith new graphics and audio. It was released a decade after the firstFableto fairly good reviews from critics. While it kept some of the bugs from the base version, it provided the classic experience to a new audience. This same care could be applied to theFabletrilogy, releasing the entire collection as one set. It would likely sell more copies than if the games were released solo, as many more fans would buy the firstFableoverFable 3.
It’s been over a decade and a half since the firstFablereleased, and almost just as long since the third. Remastering theFabletrilogy would give proper context for thePlayground Games’sFable.Although no one knows whether or not the nextFablegame will be a reboot or a sequel, it should still carry elements of the past games anyway. If it doesn’t stay true to the classic game’s storybook spirit, then it won’t really be aFablegame. Revisiting the sequels will allow players to appreciate the evolution of the gameplay in the new title, while showing proper respect to the franchise that started it all.
