Xbox’s “Fable” Returns, Bringing Back It’s Morality System, NPC Interactions, and Chicken Kicking – Anime Superhero News
Xbox’s latest Developer Direct delivered a crowd-pleaser: a fresh, in-depth look at the long-awaited revival of Fable. The beloved action RPG, famed for its cheeky tone and consequence-driven gameplay, is stepping back into the spotlight as one of the headliners among Xbox titles slated for the coming years.
A Legendary RPG With A Wicked Sense of Humor
Veterans will remember why Fable carved out a special place on consoles two decades ago. Decisions mattered—act kindly and your hero’s appearance would reflect a radiant, virtuous persona; lean into villainy and your features would grow darker and more menacing. That cause-and-effect design extended into everyday antics, including a series tradition that became infamous: punting poultry for laughs and bragging rights. Yes, the chickens are back.
After Fable II (2008) and Fable III (2010) on Xbox 360, the series faded as its original studio, Lionhead, closed in 2016. In 2020, Playground Games—the team best known for the Forza Horizon series—was revealed as the new shepherd of the franchise. The latest showcase marks the clearest glimpse yet at how the studio is reimagining Albion while preserving Fable’s mischievous charm.
What’s New In Albion
Playground’s take embraces classic Fable DNA while expanding the scope:
- Morality with visible consequences: Your choices shape not just the narrative but how your hero looks and how the world responds.
- Character creation returns: Craft your adventurer and lean into the persona you want to project—angelic, devilish, or somewhere deliciously messy in between.
- A truly open world: For the first time, Fable abandons its segmented areas in favor of a seamless, explorable landscape.
- “Living Population” of roughly 1,000 unique NPCs: A dense cast you can befriend, hire, romance—and even acquire property from. You can buy their homes, and, if you fancy the role of a villainous landlord, evict them. Your reputation will spread, with villagers cheering or jeering as you pass.
- That unmistakable British wit: Expect playful banter, tall tales, and pointed satire woven through quests and encounters.
- And yes, chicken kicking: A tongue-in-cheek staple returns to test your self-control or your shot accuracy—your call.
From Forza To Fable
Playground Games’ pivot from high-speed open roads to whimsical open-world fantasy might seem surprising, but the studio’s pedigree in building vibrant, reactive worlds is a natural fit. Where Forza Horizon celebrated freedom and spectacle behind the wheel, Fable aims to channel that same sense of discovery into a role-playing playground filled with moral forks, eccentric townsfolk, and creature-filled wilds.
Other Highlights From The Developer Direct
Fable wasn’t the only project turning heads. The presentation also included:
- Forza Horizon 6, the next entry in Playground’s acclaimed racing series.
- Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation, a new project from the creators behind monster-catching legends.
- Double Fine’s Kiln, a multiplayer brawler with the studio’s signature personality.
None of those, as far as we know, encourage poultry abuse—but in Fable, feathers will fly.
Release Window And Platforms
Playground Games isn’t ready to commit to a specific date, but the studio is targeting an Autumn launch. Fable is planned for Xbox and PC—and, notably, PS5—arriving across platforms at the same time.
Whether you’re nostalgic for the original’s playful morality or curious to see how a fully open Albion functions with a thousand distinct NPCs, this new chapter looks ready to rekindle the series’ legend. Did you grow up with Fable’s good-versus-evil antics? Or are you jumping into Albion for the first time? Share your thoughts below—especially if you’ve got strong opinions about the ethical treatment of chickens.
