Buried like a long-lost treasure in the depths of this week's episode of the official Xbox Podcast, we finally got an update on Playground Games’ eagerly awaited Fable. I call it "treasure" because it included a rare glimpse at gameplay, but "cursed" because it came with the disappointing news of a delay. Originally planned for a launch this year, Fable is now set to release in 2026.

Delays are rarely a sign of doom, despite the frustration they cause. In Fable's case, this extra time could be crucial for crafting a richly detailed world that's worth the wait. But as we count down to 2026, there's no better time to dive back into the Fable series. I highly recommend revisiting Fable 2, the pinnacle of the series, and rediscover what makes Lionhead Studios' 2008 classic such a unique RPG.

The game boils down to just six main skills that manage your health, strength, and speed. Weapons have a single damage stat, and armor or accessories don't require complex considerations. Combat, though a staple of most quests, remains straightforward and is enhanced by inventive spellcasting, including the amusing Chaos spell that makes enemies dance and scrub floors. Moreover, death in Fable 2 comes with nothing more severe than a minor XP penalty.

Fable 2 is the perfect RPG for newcomers to the genre. In 2008, when Oblivion's vast world of Cyrodiil might have felt overwhelming to RPG novices, Fable 2's Albion offered a more approachable experience with smaller, easier-to-navigate maps. With your loyal dog by your side, you can explore beyond the main paths to uncover secrets like hidden treasures, submerged caves, and the intriguing Demon Doors. This gives Albion a sense of grandeur that belies its actual size. Yet, Albion's design is more linear, guiding you from one landmark to another rather than allowing you to get lost in a sprawling open world.

While Albion may not compare to the vast landscapes of BioWare's Infinity Engine games or Bethesda's Morrowind, judging it by modern or contemporary RPG standards does it a disservice. Fable 2's strength lies in its bustling, lifelike world. When viewed through the lens of a game like Maxis' The Sims, you'll see a remarkable simulation of society.

The town of Bowerstone is teeming with simulated, authentic life. | Image credit: Lionhead Studios / Xbox Albion functions like a strange, organic clockwork. As the sun rises, its inhabitants begin their daily routines. Town criers announce shop openings and the late hours, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Much like families in The Sims, every citizen has an inner life influenced by their roles and preferences. Using an array of gestures, you can entertain, offend, impress, or even seduce non-hostile NPCs. A well-timed fart might send pub patrons into fits of laughter, while mocking children could make them run to their parents. These interactions allow you to influence Albion's society, shaping your reputation through acts of heroism or villainy. No other game captures the feeling of a living, reactive world quite like Fable 2.

Despite your character's role as a Hero destined for epic quests and treasure hunts, Fable 2 shines when you immerse yourself in its society. You can purchase nearly every building in Albion, from houses to shops, using earnings from jobs like woodcutting or blacksmithing. Owning a property lets you become a landlord or personalize your home. You can also court the town's most attractive NPC by repeatedly using their favorite gesture, leading to romance and even starting a family. While each element might seem artificial, together they create a genuine sense of life.

A well-timed fart might send pub patrons into fits of laughter. Few RPGs have followed Fable's unique approach to societal simulation. Even the acclaimed Baldur's Gate 3 lacks Fable's organic romances and real estate dynamics. However, Red Dead Redemption 2 echoes Fable 2's sense of life with its responsive world and NPCs that react believably to your actions. If Playground Games aims to stay true to Fable's roots, they should look to Rockstar's living world as a model rather than the current trend of tabletop-inspired RPGs.

Playground Games must also preserve other essential elements. Fable's quintessential British humor, with its satire of the class system and cheeky humor, needs to remain intact. The game should feature a cast of beloved actors, a task Playground seems to have mastered with Richard Ayoade and Matt King in the trailers. Above all, they must maintain Lionhead's signature approach to morality.

Fable 2's combat may be simple, but its enemy designs are stunning reinterpretations of fantasy staples. | Image credit: Lionhead Studios / Xbox Peter Molyneux, the founder of Lionhead Studios and lead designer of the Fable series, has always been fascinated by the concept of good and evil. This was evident in Lionhead's first project, Black & White, and continues to be a theme in Molyneux's work, including his upcoming Masters of Albion. However, Fable 2's approach to morality is far from the nuanced choices seen in games like The Witcher or BioWare's titles. Instead, Fable 2 presents stark choices between absolute good and absolute evil. This binary system leads to comedic extremes, like choosing to either clear a trader's warehouse of pests or destroy all his stock, or deciding whether to torment a ghost's former lover or marry her.

Recent RPG trends emphasize complex moral choices that reflect a spectrum of human behavior. However, Fable thrives on its binary morality, allowing you to be the most heroic hero or the most nefarious villain. This was established in the first game, where choosing evil paths could give your character devil horns, but it truly flourished in Fable 2. The sequel's quests offer richer, more creative paths for good and evil, and the reactive world allows your actions to shape your reputation and moral alignment. Many RPGs struggle to make moral choices impactful because they focus on the middle ground, but Fable 2 excels by embracing the extremes.

But all of this is still a year away. In the meantime, you can revisit Fable 2 and understand why it's so cherished and why it's crucial for Playground Games to retain its eccentricities. We don't need Fable to be a clone of The Witcher, Baldur's Gate, or Dragon Age. We need Fable to stay true to itself, farts and all.