Fans have been paying close attention to every bit of information released about Playground Games' upcomingFablereboot as the series is set to head in a new direction. Not much is currently known about the game, despite the rumors of a next installment being confirmed way back in 2020, and players have been busy speculating ever since. The developer has assuredFablefans that the series' essence will remain the same, even if its constituent parts go through a few changes, and that most likely includes how magic will feature in the world.
Despite the popularity of the earlier entries and thestatus of the belovedFablefranchisefor many gamers, it did start to stumble in more recent years. After Lionhead Studios closed down andFable Legendswas canceled, it was clear that ifFablewas going to survive, it needed to shift gears. Playground Games, which up until now has only worked on theForza Horizonseries, hopes to provide that gear change, but the developer needs to look closely at fundamental aspects likeFable’s magic system to ensure that the future of the franchise is secured.
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How Magic Wove Through The Previous Games
As a series set in a fantasy world, magic has unsurprisingly been a large part ofFablegames to date. Not only does it provide some interesting additions to combat and examples of character development as players level up their spells, but it also slots nicely into the lore of the land that’s already full of mythical creatures and magical elements. Known as Will in theFableuniverse, magic has an interesting history within Albion, from William Black’s legendary feats that shaped the kingdom tothe history of the Heroes' Guildthat trained people in Will Power and produced a long list of notable figures.
Not only was magica key part of Albion’s historyand the foundational narratives for the games, but it could be an important part of the gameplay too. Players could choose to use a variety of weaponry to dispatch enemies in the variousFablegames, but magic was always an option as well. They may have had to balance their use of Will energy and top it up when required after casting a spell in the firstFable, butFable 2andFable 3removed these limits and let players cast whenever they needed.
There was a selection of spells in each game, from protective ones to more aggressive attack spells which let gamers adapt to different combat situations.Fable 3even tied its magic to the advancing technologyof the world, as players needed to use special gauntlets to channel their Will. This demonstrated how magic adapted through each mainline entry, and could be the blueprint for how the nextFableapproaches this fundamental aspect as well.
Why The Reboot Should Mix Things Up
The updated magic system inFable 3was a welcome improvement for some players, but others preferred the simplicity of the older games. It’s definitely true that as the series wore on, it moved further away from its fantasy and fairytale roots, and it seems likethe nextFableis looking to honor the earlier gameswith its style and setting. However, this doesn’t mean it should rely too heavily on the systems and gameplay in the previous games, particularly when it comes to magic.
Games have come a long way since the firstFablelaunched, and withupcoming titles like Luminous Productions’Forspokenshowing just how creative and impressive magic systems can be, the next entry needs to step up its game. The reboot is the perfect time to refreshFable’s magic system, making it more complex and challenging while maintaining its prominence within the gameplay. While magic was fun to use in the previous entries, it was too easily sidelined by other features and didn’t often get the spotlight it deserved. The old system in the previous games just won’t pack the right kind of punch, and it clearly needs a massive overhaul. The newFable’s world could be the ideal platform to bring magic to the fore once more, and fans hope Playground Games can deliver.
Fableis in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
