The originalFablelaunched in September 2004 and quickly proved to be a massive hit on that platform. While it never quite reached the dizzying heights of Xbox’s flagshipHalofranchise, it nevertheless acquired a respectable base of hardcore fans. Thus, Playground Game’s upcomingFablereboot represents a chance to bring a beloved Xbox franchise back from the dead.
Fans still don’t know much about the series’ upcoming revival, but the few available details hint at a return to the original game’s medieval setting. That’s not necessarily bad, especially if Playground Games manages to recapturethe originalFable’s fairytale aesthetic. Unfortunately, that could also mean removing guns from the equation, something that might not be for the best.
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Guns in Fable
Fablestands out from most fantasy series in that each installment took place in noticeably distinct time periods. There may be 200 years betweenOblivionandSkyrim, but there are no signs of any significant changes to culture or technology over that time. Meanwhile,Fable 2takes place 500 years after the original game, and it shows.Fable’s land of Albionis a totally different place after the time skip, depicting a world of magic that slowly transitions to one of technology. Nevertheless, the ancient creatures and magic of Albion still cling to life in the remote corners far from the eyes of humanity.
The addition of firearms to the Hero’s arsenal symbolized the changing times. Stripping them out and returning to medieval-inspired combat would contribute to robbingFableof one of its more unique aspects. Of course, that’s more of an argument against a medieval setting rather than one in favor of keeping guns. For that, it is best to look at the gameplay ofthe coreFabletrilogy.
While the originalFablefeatured excellent melee combat and a variety of magical spells, ranged combat was generally lacking. The controls were clunky, the weapons took a long time to fire, and they were only useful in specific situations. Players could use arrows to pick off lone enemies or soften up larger groups, but most enemies would charge into melee range anyway. Bows and crossbows were also nearly useless against most bosses and elite enemies likeFable’s Nymphs and Trolls. The result is that, while players could build their Hero around magic or melee combat, ranged weapons could never play more than a secondary role.
Fable 2, by comparison, did a much better job of balancing the series’ cardinal schools of Strength, Skill, and Will. The solution wasn’t perfect, with magic being simplified to the point that it arguably detracted from the experience. However,Fable 2’s combat systemfelt more balanced than the first game’s, and that was largely to the overhauled ranged combat. The improved controls and the ability to target individual body parts were significant parts of this upgrade, but one should not understate the roleFable 2’s firearms played in diversifying combat.
Fable’s Guns Add Variety
Fable’s melee weapons included Maces, Greathammers, Pick-hammers, two kinds of axes, and four types of one- and two-handed swords. Each offered unique advantages and disadvantages, with blades even having a special finishing move that set them apart from other weapons. Meanwhile, the player’s choices of ranged armaments were restricted to Bow or Crossbow. This isn’t unique toFableby any means.Skyrimfeatures various Daggers, Swords, Axes, Maces, Great Swords, Battleaxes, and Warhammers, all of which exist on a spectrum of fast but weak to strong but slow. Again, however, ranged weapons are limited to Bows and the Crossbows added by theDawnguardDLC.
Compare that toFable 2, where ranged weapons included three types of Pistols, Crossbows, and Rifles, alongside the shotgun-like Blunderbusses. Flintlock Rifles and Pistols were single-shot powerhouses, letting players snipe enemies from long distances. Clockwork Pistols and Rifles functioned more like modern semi-automatic weapons, allowing players to pepper their enemies with rapid-fire shots. Meanwhile, the revolver-style Turret guns offered a balanced middle ground between damage and rate of fire. Pistols also sacrificed damage and range for greater reload speed compared to Rifles, with Crossbows occupying the middle ground between the two. Finally, the close-ranged Blunderbuss can clear a whole room or send individual enemies flying.
The point isn’t that gunpowder automatically makesFablebetter, asFable 3’s overpowered firearms arguably prove. In fact,whileFable 3had good sides, its unbalanced combat is part of why this topic remains controversial. However, the wayFable 2implemented guns contributed to player choice in a way that made combat much more dynamic and engaging. And while Playground Games could attempt something similar with more medieval projectiles, it’s hard to imagine that effort seeing the same level of success.
Fableis in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
