Playground Games appears to be making headway on its Fable reboot as anticipation builds for a possible 2023 gameplay reveal. The game was initially revealed in 2020 during the Xbox Games Showcase, and it was surprising that the developer of the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon racing series would be taking the reins on a fantasy role-playing IP. Despite the genres being wildly different, a new Fable entry could be a generation-defining return that takes advantage of the studio's high standards for detail and scope.
Last year, it was reported that Eidos Montreal will be working on Fable in a supportive capacity. Awaiting any official confirmation, it is unknown how involved the studio might be; though it does have a history of developing polished, third-person games like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. This 2021 release showcased Eidos Montreal's talent for flashy combat and witty interactions, and that experience would relieve some of the burdens of rebooting Fable - another lighthearted IP known for extravagant characters.
Fable Could Amplify Its Third-Person Combat
Fans have been looking forward to more adventures in Albion for some time, as the series was last prominent on Xbox 360 under the now-defunct Lionhead Studios. Nevertheless, these new teams seem further along given recent reports that Fable is being playtested. Assuming it is an action-oriented project, the upcoming title would also benefit from tuning its movesets at this stage of development. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy has a sci-fi flair that probably won't be replicated in Playground's reboot, yet it does have a fluid rhythm between targeted shots and ranged combos which could be relevant to spellcasting.
Magic, or Will Power, is a core mechanic in Fable's gameplay that might match Eidos Montreal's flexible playstyles. Spells allowed players to cast a variety of offensive and defensive abilities, sometimes chaining with other attacks too. Supernatural powers are a far cry from Guardians of the Galaxy's elemental blasters, although Playground could improve its combat dynamics by emulating that title's streamlined, toggled controls. Ultimately, previous Fable games can provide a strong foundation for the revival even if certain improvements are inspired by third-party sources.
As a fantasy RPG that mimics Arthurian legend, Fable has a mix of swords, sorcery, and archery designed to slay all kinds of beasts alongside allies. This heroic charm tempts players through good-versus-evil options as well, and these character-altering effects promote deep relationships in the game world. The reboot's potential for consequences might be able to mirror Guardians of the Galaxy's impactful character moments - henchmen have been a part of the franchise from the beginning - but it would help if the script put an effort into entertaining exchanges mid-combat.
Guardians of the Galaxy and Fable Share Comedic Themes
Above all else, the original Fable was a twist on the RPG genre that wasn't afraid to delve into Pythonesque pranks. The games' themes appear purposefully childish, yes, but Eidos Montreal is no stranger to humor either. Guardians of the Galaxy's motley crew had a dysfunctional culture that could give Playground Games a potential collaborator that understands its intended tone. There's a greater chance of this next project bringing the IP's personality back to a new generation, especially considering the announcement trailer's toad punchline -- it is undeniable that there is pressure to keep Fable's legacy alive all these years later.
There will hopefully be news on the Fable reboot soon, seeing that it will be almost three years since its initial announcement this summer. If Eidos Montreal is lending a hand, Playground Games could be at a point where feedback and iteration are invaluable in perfecting the experience. Features like Fable's NPC romances also have the potential to learn from Guardians of the Galaxy's reputation systems, but fans can only speculate until Xbox Game Studios is ready to reveal more.
Fable is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.