I Finally Feel Like The New Fable Is a Genuine Game Experience

For a long time, Xbox’s upcoming Fable reboot felt more like a distant dream than an actual game. Despite numerous trailers, gameplay snippets, and insights from the Forza Horizon developers at Playground Games, I wasn’t convinced that Fable was a title I would actually get to play. That perception shifted dramatically after watching a new 30-minute video showcasing unedited gameplay from this open-world RPG.

On June 10, Xbox and Playground Games released an in-depth gameplay video on the official Fable YouTube channel, which aligned with what was previewed behind closed doors at recent Summer Game Fest events.

The gameplay footage highlights how player actions can create ripple effects throughout the world, influencing how NPCs perceive and interact with your character. Throughout the 30 minutes, the developers demonstrate the hero engaging with various NPCs, each with their own unique personalities and opinions about the protagonist.

One memorable moment features a talking pig and a butcher, capturing that classic Fable charm. We also see the hero attempting to woo a woman, purchasing a pub, facing inflated prices for clothing from an NPC who dislikes them, working as a blacksmith, and even engaging in combat.

Yes, this looks like a video game!

I’m not ready to declare Fable my game of the year just yet. Some dialogues feel a bit awkward, and the speed at which the world reacts can seem off. I’ll need to dive in and experience more to form a solid opinion. Hopefully, these elements will feel more organic during a full playthrough.

However, this extended demo has finally convinced me that Fable is genuinely coming together after years of delays and silence. It’s clear that the new Fable is not just vaporware; it looks genuinely promising. If the developers can successfully implement their ambitious vision—where every store can be purchased, every NPC is distinct, and the world continuously reacts to your choices—Fable could become a truly captivating RPG that draws players in. Or perhaps it might unravel once we start exploring its depths.

Either way, I can confidently say that Fable now feels like a legitimate video game rather than just a collection of ideas. We’ll see how it holds up when it launches on PS5, Xbox, Game Pass, and PC on February 23.