Fable Gets Its First Major Gameplay Reveal

Image via Playground Games

Xbox and Playground Games have officially revealed Fable with its first detailed showcase at the latest Xbox Developer Direct. The long-awaited reboot is set to launch in Autumn 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam), and PlayStation 5, marking the first time the Fable series will appear on a PlayStation console.

Being developed by Playground Games the studio behind Forza Horizon, the new Fable is a fully open-world action RPG. It keeps the series’ classic British humor and playful charm while focusing on player choice, moral decisions, and a fresh take on the fairytale world of Albion that fans remember from the original Lionhead games.

Fable Open-World Albion Reacts to Every Choice You Make

For the first time in the franchise, Albion is a fully open world letting players explore freely without invisible walls or restrictions. Playground Games says the world is designed to react to your choices, making Albion feel alive rather than just a place you pass through.

Every NPC has a unique name, job, personality, and daily routine. You can watch villagers go to work, chat with others, and head home at night. Playground calls this system a “Living Population,” made up of more than 1,000 characters who respond naturally to what you do.

Your actions directly affect your reputation. Even small or silly choices can spread through a town and change how people treat you, shaping how each settlement sees your hero over time.

“If people see you kicking a chicken, you might become known as a ‘Chicken Chaser,’” said game director Ralph Fulton. “But not everyone will judge that the same way. Different NPCs interpret your actions based on their own beliefs.”

Choice, Morality, and Classic Fable Chaos

Fable focuses on choice and consequence, not simple good or evil decisions. NPCs react differently based on what you do, rumors spread naturally, and your reputation changes over time. Some choices may only affect conversations, while others can leave lasting marks on the world around you.

Image via Playground Games

There’s also plenty to do beyond fighting monsters. Players can take on side jobs, build relationships, get married, buy homes, and even take control of businesses. If you want, you can own large parts of Albion and influence how its economy works.

Combat, Customization, and Classic Fable Humor

Image via Playground Games

Players can fully customize their hero, from appearance to combat style. Fighting blends melee attacks, ranged weapons, and magic into a smooth system that lets you play how you want.

The gameplay reveal showed the return of classic enemies like trolls, hobbes, and balverines, along with new creatures. One standout is the Cockatrice, a giant fire-breathing chicken that perfectly captures Fable’s silly and unexpected humor.

Image via Playground Games

Customization also includes armor and outfits, mixing serious gear with intentionally

ridiculous costumes, a fan-favorite part of the series.

A Fresh Start Inspired by Lionhead’s Legacy

This new Fable is not a remake or a sequel. Instead, it’s a fresh beginning that stays true to the heart of the original games without being tied to their timeline.

The story starts with your character as a child in the peaceful village of Briar Hill, where your powers first appear. Soon after, tragedy strikes when a mysterious figure turns the villagers—including your grandmother—into stone, pushing you onto a journey that will change Albion forever.

Familiar places like Bowerstone and Bloodstone return, but Playground Games says this version of Albion represents a new era. The team even studied original Lionhead design notes, including one line that defines the series:

“Fable is fairytale, not fantasy.”

Unlike darker, more serious RPGs such as Skyrim or The Witcher, Fable aims to be more personal, playful, and whimsical—showing how magic affects everyday people.

Fable Coming to PlayStation for the First Time

One of the biggest announcements is that Fable is launching on PlayStation 5 for the first time. This opens the world of Albion to a brand-new audience and fits perfectly with the game’s focus on personal stories and player-driven choices.

After years of quiet development following its delay to 2026, Fable is finally back in the spotlight. With its living world, reactive characters, flexible combat, and signature British humor, the reboot looks set to honor its roots while bringing the series forward.

Fable launches in Autumn 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5. More details are expected soon, and wishlist options are already available.