Four minutes of new Fable gameplay has been released by Xbox, showing off more of the game’s combat.
The footage was released personally by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma as part of a broader celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary. The gameplay features plenty of combat, featuring not only standard swordplay, but also ranged attacks and unique moves that can be performed using magic. Gameplay was captured on PC using ultra graphics settings and ends with the protagonist stumbling upon an incredibly sinister grave or coffin.
Fable was of course supposed to be released this fall. However, Xbox made the right decision to postpone the game until February. While the team says the delay wasn’t done specifically to avoid GTA 6, it was likely a nice benefit. Microsoft still had plenty of releases this fall thanks to Modern Warfare 4 and Gears of War: E-Day, so it was wise to give Fable a little more room to breathe. The game was announced as early as 2020, but has been in development at Playground Games for almost a decade.
Forza Horizon studio Playground Games is leading the charge on the title, although it has recruited a group of industry talent in order to be well-equipped to create an RPG. Fable is one of the most anticipated games on Xbox, in part because it’s one of the most beloved RPG franchises, and Microsoft is looking for a big win in the AAA space outside of shooters.
Fable is also coming to PS5, as previously announced for the platform. It will be interesting to see what happens if the game performs well on the platform. Xbox is trying to lean more on exclusivity, but it unfortunately didn’t seem to pay off for Gears of War: E-Day. Let’s hope Fable is worth the wait and returns Microsoft’s investments.
Fable will be released for Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC on February 23.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. It covers all things entertainment, including games, movies, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
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