Over 15 years ago, the first Fable released and featured aspects not many other games had tried. Through its innovative morality system, the new Fable allowed players to decide whether their character would be the hero or villain of the story. Whatever path the player decides to take their character down, the storybook fairy tail that follows still rivals modern storytelling in games. The two main Fable games that followed would evolve on the concepts that the first nailed, with varying levels of success. Many thought the franchise dead after the first developer Lionhead Studios shuttered operations in April 2016, but Fable is coming back for a new generation.
A new Fable was confirmed to be in development by Playground Games at an Xbox Series X event around this time last year. As soon as it was announced, fans began speculating what the next title would look like. Some would prefer the IP to go back to its classic roots, while some might've preferred the steampunk vibe of Fable 3. However, in order for a new Fable to really make a splash, Microsoft should remake the classic trilogy first. New players could get a proper introduction to the franchise, and existing fans could revisit the series. The trilogy could even be released in a Fable Anniversary-style package, which has been shown to be successful.
The Case for the Fable Remakes
Fable likely served as many young gamers introduction into the RPG genre. Starting on their sister's birthday, the player character quickly learns about tragedy and the worst of the inhabitants in Albion. From here, they spend years of training to get strong enough to take their revenge. Players must choose to be a hero that spares his enemies, or a villain that kills without impunity, with their appearance changing with each decision. This same theme is echoed in the sequels as well, where moral decisions have an effect on the game's story. This reaches its pinnacle in Fable 3, with players' decisions impacting whether or not Albion is engulfed by an evil force.
While all these stories are wonderfully told, the oldest Fable game is over 15 years old, and the most recent entry is over 10. The graphics don't really stand up to modern day games, and could use a similar treatment as Fable Anniversary. That being said, even the anniversary edition is seven years old, and could use a spit and polish as well. A proper remaster on current-gen consoles would allow for a whole new generation to become acquainted with Albion, while allowing the childhood fans to revisit some of their best memories in a whole new light.
Fable Anniversary is Proof Fable Remakes Will Sell
Fable Anniversary is a remaster of Fable: The Lost Chapters with new graphics and audio. It was released a decade after the first Fable to fairly good reviews from critics. While it kept some of the bugs from the base version, it provided the classic experience to a new audience. This same care could be applied to the Fable trilogy, releasing the entire collection as one set. It would likely sell more copies than if the games were released solo, as many more fans would buy the first Fable over Fable 3.
It's been over a decade and a half since the first Fable released, and almost just as long since the third. Remastering the Fable trilogy would give proper context for the Playground Games's Fable. Although no one knows whether or not the next Fable game will be a reboot or a sequel, it should still carry elements of the past games anyway. If it doesn't stay true to the classic game's storybook spirit, then it won't really be a Fable game. Revisiting the sequels will allow players to appreciate the evolution of the gameplay in the new title, while showing proper respect to the franchise that started it all.
Fable is currently in development by Playground Games.