Reviving a Rare Customization Element from Fable's History: A Must for Fable 4

Highlights

The highly-anticipated return of the Fable franchise is exciting for fans, as it marks a new beginning for the beloved action RPG series.

An intriguing possibility for a revival in the upcoming game is the return of the Villager Maker. This feature allowed players to personalize and design their own distinctive non-playable character (NPC) complete with specific quests.

The inclusion of this feature not only enhanced the sense of personalization and player involvement in the Fable franchise but also offered a distinctive element that should be further developed and expanded upon in the new installment.

The Fable franchise has been a prominent part of the Xbox lineup since its debut in 2004. As Xbox's first-party action RPG, it has helped shape the brand and deliver a unique gaming experience. With the release of Fable 2 and Fable 3 on the Xbox 360, the franchise entered the next generation of gaming. Along the way, there were spin-offs like Fable Heroes and Fable: The Journey. However, the closure of Lionhead Studios in April 2016 marked a downturn for the franchise. Despite this setback, after years of speculation, the Fable franchise is making a comeback with a new entry from Playground Games.

The new Fable appears to be a fresh start, although details about the story remain scarce. Playground Games, well-known for the Forza Horizon series, describes the upcoming Fable as "a new beginning for the legendary franchise," suggesting it may diverge from the original trilogy's storyline. With many aspects of the new game still unknown, fans are left to wonder which story elements, features, and mechanics from the previous games will be included. While there are numerous factors that contributed to the success of past Fable games, one particular feature that could be intriguing to see is a modern-day twist.

Reviving the Villager Maker in Fable 4

One feature that fans would love to see return in the new Fable is the Villager Maker from Fable 3. This pre-order bonus allowed players to customize their own unique villager who would have special quests. These NPCs could be interacted with in various ways, including marriage, conversation, and even killing. Players had complete control over their appearance, voice, personality, and home.

The quests offered by the custom villagers depended on their personality. Good-aligned villagers offered The Search quest, while evil-aligned villagers had How to Get Ahead in Academia. These quests were fairly short but had distinct objectives and rewards. Once the quest was completed, the custom villager became a regular NPC in Fable 3's world, and players could do whatever they pleased with them. Additionally, each quest came with a gift of 1,000 gold found in the Sanctuary.

A modern adaptation of this concept would be fascinating, whether as an added bonus feature like the original Villager Maker or as an integral part of the game itself. One idea could be introducing a system similar to Dragon's Dogma's pawns, allowing players to share their customized villagers with friends and have them gain knowledge and experience from other players' game worlds. Additionally, a revamped Villager Maker could incorporate longer quest lines that evolve depending on player interaction, such as marrying them.

The ability to create a unique villager was a standout feature in the Fable franchise. It is not often seen in many RPGs, but it adds a sense of contribution to the game's legacy. Fable has always emphasized player choice, so offering more freedom and customization is greatly valued. While it is unclear which features will be returning or introduced in the new installment, the revival of the Fable franchise is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Fable is in development for PC and Xbox Series X|S.