Fable is a series notorious for overpromising. Fable 4 has looked like another one of those overpromises, but after six years in development, it’s finally coming out.
We don’t know exactly when, but the Fable game is set for Autumn 2026. Yes, that’s a soft release date, like the ones we’ve seen from GTA 6 the last couple of years, so it could just as well be delayed, but if it is out this year, it’ll likely be between August and October to avoid butting heads with the GTA 6 release.
It’s good news, and it’s made even sweeter by the fact that it’s not going to be an Xbox exclusive. PC and PlayStation 5 are both getting a taste of Albion, but for the Xboxers, yes it’ll be on Game Pass day one.
So what exactly do we know about this mysterious game? It’s still not a lot, but what we have seen is fantastic, and building hype to match Larian’s new Divinity reboot (huh, I only just noticed how similar their names are, and they’re reboots too).
What Is Fable, Exactly?
Fable is an action RPG series set in Albion, a world that sits somewhere between Tolkien and Monty Python. Like Skyrim, you fight with a mix of swords, magic, and bows. It’s classic RPG fantasy stuff, and doesn’t look all that exciting on paper, but it’s the little things that make the Fable series stand out. Your choices matter, morality is visible, and NPCs remember what you do. Plus, for some reason, fans really love that they can punt chickens like a football.
The original trilogy were made by Lionhead Studios (and Bluebox Games, a Lionhead satellite). Famously headed by one Peter Molyneux, the many was about as famous as any game developer could be at the time (early oughts), and most of that was because he overhyped his games. A famous example was just that in Fable, the world is so lifelike, that you can plants trees then watch them grow.
This time around though, it’s a different dev with a better rep. Playground Games is rebuilding Albion from scratch, and it looks like their promises of ‘over a thousand unique and reactive NPCs’ isn’t all fluff.
What’s Fable’s Story Going To Be Like?
Like we said, it’s less about the story, than how they tell the story. On the surface, it looks pretty standard. A kid starts in a little country village (Briar Hill), watches a mysterious stranger turn everyone to stone, and gets sent on an adventure to figure it all out. The real fun is uncovering the world and all the mischief you can get up to.
New Fable Gameplay: What We’ve Actually Seen
What we’ve seen is a gorgeous fairytale RPG setting with a british twist. The game’s promised deep customisation, memorable NPCs, meaningful choices, and a bouyant atmosphere to keep it all pretty lighthearted.
Like any other AAA RPG you can pick hairstyles, tattoos, scars, skin tone, and clothing. What the devs have promised will make it special are the NPCs interactions. Not only are there endless traits and combinations for the NPCs, but they react to yours too. If you’re a self-made millionaire, a local peasant will think you’re a “Rich Twat”.
Your choices last forever too. Kill someone and their body doesn’t disappear. You can buy homes, run businesses, marry, have children, or even get divorced. You can even do it all at once (and multiple times, you scallywag).
From the looks of it, combat is something like The Witcher 3 or any other modern third-person fantasy RPG. Familiar foes like Hobbes and Balverines return alongside new threats like the fire-breathing Cockatrice. Playground’s Ralph Fulton says combat lets players express themselves through every strike, spell, or arrow, which certainly sounds promising.
Where Fable Fits in the Fable Games Legacy
It’s neither sequel nor remake.
There hasn’t been a mainline Fable game since Fable III in 2010. A long time for an advancing medium like gaming. Elden Ring, and Baldur’s Gate 3 have run rings and rings around the original trilogy. Making Fable a proper fourth game in the series would force players to play the outdate trilogy (not to mention 2/3 games are still Xbox-locked)
So, Fable is a new beginning for the franchise. Neither a remake of the first game, nor a sequel to the third. An alternate universe if you like. It’s its own thing, that’s why it’s Fable, not Fable 4.
Why Everyone Is Still Calling It Fable 4
The devs call it Fable because it’s a new beginning for the franchise, fans call it Fable 4 because there’s already a game called Fable.
If Playground Games pull it off, this will be Fable, the definitive game that people think of when you say that word. A big hit that puts the rest of the franchise in its shadow. It’s a big dream from the devs, but it looks like they could pull it off, but until then, fans will call it Fable 4, because that’s easier.
The Bottom Line
From many angles, Fable is pretty by-the-book. It’s not reinventing RPGs or fantasy worlds. It’s filling one with charm and features. They’re aiming for Skyrim with jokes and better graphics, not the next fantasy subgenre.
It looks like it’ll be fun, breezy and hopefully very funny. As more details are released, we’ll report on them, and until then look forward to Autumn 2026. As we said, it’ll be on most platforms (a first for Fable). Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and it’ll be on Game Pass day one.
I, for one, am looking forward to messing around will all the NPCs to see what’ll happen. A thousand NPCs is a big number after all.