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The original Xbox stood out at launch thanks to Halo, but a little later, a certain RPG really pushed the boundaries of gaming. Fable was one of the most dynamic and open RPGs we’d ever seen on console, even if it didn’t quite live up to the lofty claims of its creator, Peter Molyneux.
The original trilogy of Fable games is set in a world of magic and monsters but laced with a healthy layer of British humor. It lets you live out your ideal fantasy adventure.
As popular and beloved as those games were, the series fell silent for decades after Fable 3. Now, Fable 4 (or just Fable as the marketing calls it) is rebooting the franchise with a new developer.
Take up your sword, charge your magic, and dust the chicken feathers off your boots as we regale you with all the information you need to know about Fable 4, including the expected release date, gameplay, and main character.
Key Takeaways
- Fable 4 is a reboot of the original Fable games for Xbox and Xbox 360.
- Playground Games has been developing the game for at least six years.
- The Fable 4 release date is expected sometime in 2025.
- We don’t know if we will be able to create our own main character in Fable 4.
- Fable 4 will be exclusive to Xbox platforms and PC.
What Is Fable 4?
A Light-Hearted Fantasy RPG. Fable 4 will honor the roots of the original games and have the same bright and sarcastic tone we know and love.
Set in the fantasy world of Albion, you will take control of a hero who must go on various quests and trails, meet a cast of eclectic characters, and make various choices to change the outcome of your adventure.
If it follows the tradition of the original games, Fable 4 will allow you to go down a good or evil path depending on your choices and how you interact with NPCs.
We know that Fable 4 will feature swords, bows, magic, and items in combat from the footage shown, though we expect a far wider arsenal in the full game.
The story of Fable 4 is still a mystery but seems to be tied to stopping a former hero who has turned evil.
Who Is the Fable 4 Main Character?
All the trailers for Fable 4 have used the same main character in their footage. This Fable 4 protagonist has not been named and only has a few spoken words.
All the previous Fable games have let you create your own custom main character, so it would be a strange choice for Fable 4 to force a set protagonist on you.
If we had to guess, the main character shown in all the Fable 4 footage so far is a placeholder, and we will be able to alter our main character’s gender, looks, and clothing.
When Is Fable 4 Coming Out?
The latest speculation swirling around this game is somewhat contradictory, as is often the case.
On the one hand, there are rumors that a major Xbox event will be held in January 2025, which has Fable fans excited about an early 2025 release.
However, according to Tom Warren of The Verge, Microsoft targets a Q4 2025 release window.
Lastly, Jeff Grubb recently revealed that an Xbox-exclusive game release has slipped to 2026, which has prompted fears it could be Fable 4 due to the lack of gameplay detail released to this point.
Expected Fable 4: Price & Pre-Order
There is also the possibility of more expensive special editions of Fable 4, but we will know when they are announced.
Fable 4: Platforms & Consoles
It will not be available on any PlayStation or Nintendo consoles.
Will Fable 4 Be on Game Pass?
Yes, Fable 4 will be available on day one for Game Pass subscribers since it is a first-party title.
However, due to recent price and tier changes to Game Pass, not all subscribers will have immediate access.
To play Fable 4 on Game Pass from day one, you will need a Game Pass PC or Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Fable 4 Trailers & Gameplay
The 2020 Fable 4 announcement trailer was the first time we saw any game footage. It was just cinematic, but it had a delightful voiceover and direction that perfectly evoked the style of the original games.
In 2023, we saw Fable 4 again at the Xbox Games Showcase. This trailer was filmed in a mockumentary style featuring a giant named Dave talking about heroes.
This trailer used in-engine graphics and footage and small glimpses at early Fable 4 gameplay. We also finally see our first chicken getting kicked, putting to bed the fears of that tradition being abandoned.
And the most recent Fable 4 news comes from the 2024 trailer.
This took the same structure as the last trailer, this time featuring Albion’s greatest (retired) hero, Humphry. Unlike Dave, Humphry appears like he will be a much more important character in Fable 4’s story.
Aside from new looks at Fable 4 gameplay and monsters, this trailer ends by teasing the possible villain of the game.
The Bottom Line
Everything we’ve seen about Fable 4, from the gameplay to the trailers to the world, suggests that Playground Games is in good hands with the series.
No other RPG has that same comedic tone and level of player freedom as the Fable series, which is why expectations are so high for this reboot.
There’s still a lot of Fable 4’s story to tell before the release date, including how much control we have over the main character and what the ultimate goal will be.
However, everything we’ve seen points to Fable 4 being a triumphant return of one of Xbox’s best RPGs.
FAQs
Is Fable 4 coming out?
Is Fable 4 releasing in 2024?
Why was Fable 3 removed?
How long has Fable 4 been in development?
References
- Fable – Official Announce Trailer (YouTube)
- Sources: Microsoft plots Fable return (Eurogamer)
- Fable – Xbox Games Showcase (YouTube)
- Fable – Xbox Games Showcase 2024 (YouTube)
