Well, crap. I was really hoping to return to Albion next year, but it looks like we’ll all be waiting a bit longer. Microsoft has just dropped the bomb that Playground Games’ highly anticipated Fable reboot won’t make it in 2025 after all. The new release window? Sometime in 2026.
Yeah, I’m disappointed too. I’ve been itching to jump back into that whimsical fantasy world ever since they teased the reboot back in 2020. That’s going to be nearly SIX YEARS of development by the time it finally launches.
A Delay Was Kinda Expected, Wasn’t It?
Let’s be honest though – did any of us truly believe Fable would make it out in 2025? The lack of substantial gameplay footage until recently had many of us side-eyeing that release window. And hey, after the disaster that was Redfall and the rocky launches of so many big games lately, I’d rather they take their time than rush out something half-baked.
Playground Games, primarily known for the Forza Horizon series, has been building this reboot from the ground up. It’s their first crack at an action RPG, so the extra development time makes sense. They’re trying to both honor what made the original Fable games special while modernizing the experience for Xbox Series X|S and PC players.
New Gameplay Footage: The Spoonful of Sugar
To soften the blow of this delay announcement, Microsoft released some new gameplay footage that gives us our best look yet at what they’re cooking up. And I’ve gotta say… it’s looking pretty darn good.
The footage shows off the game’s vibrant, stylized world that stays true to the original’s British humor and fairy tale aesthetics.
The visuals look stunning, with that perfect blend of realism and storybook style that made the original games so distinctive. The lighting effects in particular caught my eye – the way sunlight filters through the forest canopy is gorgeous.
The Fable Legacy
For those who might not remember, the original Fable trilogy (developed by the now-defunct Lionhead Studios) was known for its ambitious promises and charming, if flawed, execution. Peter Molyneux’s notorious overpromising aside, the games captured players’ hearts with their unique blend of humor, moral choices, and accessible RPG mechanics.
This reboot represents Microsoft’s attempt to revive one of their most beloved exclusive franchises. After Lionhead’s closure in 2016, many fans feared the series was dead for good. The announcement of a reboot in 2020 brought hope, even if the development has been painfully slow.
Worth the Wait?
While the delay stings, I’m hopeful that the extra development time will result in a game that truly lives up to the Fable name. The glimpses we’ve seen suggest Playground Games understands what made the original special – that peculiar British humor, the fairy tale world with a twist, and gameplay that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The question now is whether they can capture that magic while modernizing the gameplay for today’s audiences. The combat in the original games was never their strongest feature, so I’m particularly interested to see how they’ve evolved that aspect.
When Exactly in 2026?
Microsoft hasn’t given us a specific release date beyond “2026,” which could mean anywhere from January to December of that year. If I were a betting person, I’d put my money on a fall 2026 release, as that’s typically when Microsoft likes to launch their big titles.
Until then, we’ll have to make do with these occasional gameplay teases and hope that Playground provides more substantial looks at the game throughout 2025.
The Silver Lining
If there’s one positive to take from this delay, it’s that 2025 is already looking incredibly packed with major releases. Between Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the next Elder Scrolls (if Bethesda’s hints are to be believed), and countless other titles, our wallets might appreciate one less must-buy game next year.
Plus, a 2026 release might mean Fable will take better advantage of the Xbox Series X|S hardware after developers have had more time to really learn how to push the consoles to their limits.
For now, I guess I’ll just have to dust off my copy of Fable Anniversary and relive the original adventures of the Hero of Oakvale while I wait. Anyone else feeling nostalgic enough to join me?
