Fable 2: Skip the Wait, Play Now!

Buried deep within this week's Xbox Podcast was exciting news about Playground Games' highly anticipated Fable. The news, however, came with a bittersweet twist: a delay. Initially slated for release this year, Fable is now set to launch in 2026.

While delays can be frustrating, they often signal a commitment to crafting a richly detailed experience. This extra time could be the key to unlocking a truly remarkable game. But instead of simply waiting, why not use this time productively? Now is the perfect opportunity to revisit (or discover!) Fable II, a standout entry in the series and a truly unique RPG.

Even by today's standards, Fable II remains remarkably unusual. Compared to its 2008 contemporaries, including Fallout 3 and early BioWare 3D titles, its vision is singular. While it features a traditional campaign structure with a linear main story and side quests, its RPG systems are refreshingly streamlined. Forget complex stat blocks; Fable II’s approachable design welcomes even those unfamiliar with RPG mechanics.

A mere six main skills govern health, strength, and speed. Weapon damage is the only significant stat to consider, simplifying combat significantly. Combat itself is lighthearted swashbuckling, enhanced by creative spellcasting (Chaos, which forces enemies to dance, is a highlight). Even death is inconsequential, resulting in only a minor XP penalty.

Fable II is the perfect RPG for newcomers. In 2008, Oblivion's vast world could feel overwhelming. Fable II's Albion, however, offers smaller, easily navigable maps, allowing players to freely explore and discover hidden treasures, caves, and puzzle-laden Demon Doors. This creates a sense of scale and opportunity that belies the game's actual size. Albion's geography is somewhat restrictive, guiding players along linear paths, but this isn't a detriment.

Albion's physical scale pales in comparison to the expansive worlds of BioWare's Infinity Engine games or Morrowind. However, judging it by modern or even contemporary RPG standards misses the point. Fable II prioritizes a bustling, vibrant world over sheer geographical size. Consider it through the lens of The Sims – it's a remarkable simulation of society.

Albion functions like a complex, organic clockwork mechanism. Citizens wake, work, and sleep, their lives governed by routines and personalities. Like Sims families, each citizen possesses individual traits and reactions. Using a wide range of gestures, players can interact with NPCs, charming them with heroism or alienating them with evil deeds. The game truly embodies reactive NPCs and a living city in a way few others have achieved.

While the player is a Hero, destined for grand adventures, Fable II shines when players immerse themselves in society. Buildings, including homes and shops, are purchasable with in-game currency earned through jobs (woodcutting and blacksmithing offer relaxing, albeit repetitive, minigames). Players can become landlords, woo NPCs, and even start families. Individually, these elements feel artificial, yet the combined effect creates a remarkably authentic sense of life.

A well-executed fart might have pub patrons howling with laughter.“Few RPGs have replicated Fable II's approach. Even Baldur's Gate 3 lacks its organic romances and property market mechanics. However, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a similar, albeit more refined, experience. Rockstar's recreation of the Old West features responsive NPCs who react authentically to player actions. Interactions, while often simple, can have lasting consequences. If Playground's Fable aims to stay true to its roots, Red Dead Redemption 2 should serve as a modern touchstone.

Other key elements must be preserved. Fable's British humor, witty satire, and a memorable cast of characters are crucial. But perhaps most important is Lionhead's approach to good and evil.

Peter Molyneux, founder of Lionhead Studios, has a fascination with good and evil. This was central to Black & White and continued throughout his career. However, Lionhead's approach differs from the nuanced choices in The Witcher or BioWare games. In Fable II, choices are starkly binary: angelic or demonic. This comedic extremism works well; early quests offer extreme choices, and later quests present similarly stark moral dilemmas.

Modern RPGs prioritize nuanced player expression, exploring a spectrum of human behavior. Moral quandaries are complex. Fable, however, thrives on this binary approach, allowing players to become either the most heroic hero or the most heinous villain. This is evident in the original game's visual representation of good and evil and is perfected in Fable II. The sequel's branching quests and reactive world allow actions to shape reputation and alignment. Fable II's focus on extremes, rather than a middle ground, makes truly evil choices impactful.

Whether Playground Games will capture this essence remains to be seen. The recent development update showed 50 seconds of pre-alpha gameplay, hinting at a more detailed world than previous entries. A dense city suggests a commitment to the Sims-like social simulation that makes Fable II unique.

This vision, however, is a year away. In the meantime, revisiting Fable II is highly recommended. Its charm and unique qualities underscore the importance of Playground Games preserving Fable's oddities. The new Fable shouldn't be a Witcher, Baldur's Gate, or Dragon Age clone; it should be Fable, in all its quirky glory.