Fable allows players to romance almost all of its 1,000 NPCs, promising a chance to navigate complex relationships and even become a hero-turned-divorcee with kids.

Fable is set to immerse players in an expansive open-world version of Albion, populated by over 1,000 NPCs, and the exciting news is that you can romance nearly all of them.

During the recent Xbox Developer Direct, it was revealed that players will have the chance to interact with NPCs, go on dates, tie the knot, and even start families. I took the opportunity to ask Ralph Fulton, the general manager at Playground Games, about the possibility of wooing any NPC we encounter in this vibrant world.

“With very few exceptions, the answer is yes,” Fulton confirmed. “We approached this with some key principles that we felt were essential for this aspect of the game. From the beginning, we wanted players to be able to engage with any NPC. In the original games, this was done through gestures, but we aimed for fully voiced conversations in this iteration. This posed a challenge for our narrative and audio teams, but they rose to the occasion.”

I have countless memories of trying to win over noble townsfolk in Bowerstone or capturing the heart of a wandering NPC in Fable 2. Back then, I had to impress them with muscle flexing, dancing, or gift-giving. It seems the Fable reboot is elevating the experience, especially in the romance department. And yes, not every relationship will be smooth sailing; you can divorce your partner, or they might choose to leave you.

“You can talk to them, romance them, marry them, and even divorce them or be divorced,” Fulton explained. “You can have children together, hire them, or fire them. The NPCs are like a game within a game, and they play a crucial role in the Fable experience.”

Fulton elaborated that Fable features an “abundance of things” that will influence your reputation with various NPCs throughout the settlements. A witnessing system will allow NPCs to judge your actions based on what they’ve seen or heard, leading to unique reactions shaped by their individual worldviews, personalities, and traits.

“We showcased a bit of this in the footage from the Xbox Developer Direct, where you see words popping up on screen,” Fulton noted. “That indicates someone witnessing your generosity, dishonesty, or even bigamy. There’s a wealth of reactions for them to draw from.”

Interestingly, Fulton mentioned that players can indeed be bigamists and marry multiple partners. However, be prepared for the opinions of those around you if they catch wind of your actions. With so many NPCs to engage with, potentially marry, and more, I’m eager to explore love in Albion—and maybe stir up some drama along the way.