The most anticipated fantasy RPG of the year leaves us wanting more. Fable boasts a truly vibrant, reactive open world. Fable will launch in fall 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It will also be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
It sounds unbelievable, but it’s been more than 15 years since we last had Fable 3 in our hands – the franchise’s final (and for many, disappointing) action RPG, despite the fact that in the early Xbox days this series used to be one of the brand’s flagship titles. So it’s no surprise that players worldwide are so excited about the new Fable, which has shared very little over the past few years, only to finally show up in full force at Xbox Developer Direct 2026. And what a spectacle it was.
“Even though it’s a new beginning, I believe we’re building something that stays true to the spirit of the original trilogy we all love,” one of the project’s key figures stressed early in the presentation. As previously confirmed, this is an open-world action RPG designed to let you explore Albion “without barriers.” And yes, everything you remember is there: the imposing city of Bowerstone with the legendary Fairfax Castle and its clock tower; Bloodstone; the swamps – it’s all back, now paired with truly stunning visuals.
What Does It Mean to You to Be a Hero?
As with every Fable game, everything revolves around your own definition of being a hero. What do you want to do? How will you behave during your journey? Playground Games insists its new Albion will be highly reactive, meaning whatever you do will be reflected in the world around you and in how its inhabitants perceive you.
True to the series, the adventure begins in childhood. Contrary to earlier speculation – which assumed the same female protagonist from the trailers would be locked in – you’ll be able to build your hero from scratch, choosing gender and appearance. Early on, you learn you’re the first hero of a generation, but the excitement doesn’t last long: a strange curse turns your family and the villagers of a rural settlement into stone.
From that point, the new Fable unfolds in exactly the way fans would hope. Visually, it’s a beautiful, vibrant game that feels faithful to the classics, even if some earlier imagery had led many to expect a darker fantasy tone. The signature British humor is clearly present, as is the freedom to live your own life in Albion. Playground confirmed the massive open world features over a thousand unique inhabitants, each living their own distinct life – and it’s not just for show, either.
According to the developers, they will all react to you in remarkably realistic ways. “They will love you and hate you, and they will tell you why.”
Act like a hero and you’ll be celebrated, of course, but become a landlord and evict someone, and they might throw insults your way if you bump into them later on the street. Those classic Fable-style moments, pushed to a new level, feel fantastic, and it’s hard not to get excited about what’s coming. “Morality is subjective – and it works that way in the game, too,” they explained. They’ve also confirmed you can build houses, look for work, and earn money.
And naturally, the franchise’s social chaos remains intact: you can court villagers, get married, have children – and do it multiple times. You can also get divorced. And yes, you can even buy every single house in the game and manage businesses on top of it.
A Very Promising RPG Combat System
Putting such emphasis on Albion’s social systems is a strong sign that Playground Games understands (and wants to understand) what made Lionhead’s legendary saga special. But action matters too, and what they showed looked far more refined, with more gameplay options, including some genuinely impressive executions.
The game blends melee combat, ranged attacks, and magic. We’ve already seen classic spells, like the one that turns enemies into chickens, only for them to revert back into humans… while still behaving like chickens. Iconic creatures return, but new ones join the roster as well, including the Cocktrice – a giant fire-breathing chicken.
What we’ve seen so far feels like a dream: for its spectacular visuals, its combat, and the sheer range of possibilities it offers. But also for how accurately iconic locations have been recreated, for the story’s tone that mixes drama and humor, and for the decisions – and consequences – that define Fable. Playground even offered an example that echoes the old Peter Molyneux promises (the acorn that falls and grows into a tree over the years), except here it actually seems doable: if you decide to kill a giant, it can collapse onto farmland that will never grow again because a corpse is now lying on it. And yes, nearby house prices will drop too – because nobody wants a gigantic corpse outside their window.
Details like these make it hard not to get excited about what’s coming in Fable. The best news is that the game launches in fall 2026 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Source: 3djuegos
