Summary
After a rather lengthy hiatus, theFablefranchise is set to make its triumphant return at some point in the near future, though details are still pretty scarce. At the time of writing, there have only been two officialFabletrailers released so far, both of which are completely CG and feature no actual gameplay. That said, these trailers aren’t devoid of purpose, revealing that thetrademarkFabledark humoris still very much intact all these years later, even despite a new studio taking the helm.
Simply categorized as a fantasy action-RPG for now,Fablehas a lot of pressure on its shoulders, not only having to please the franchise’s long-time fans and bring newcomers on board, but also having to stand out in a market that seems to be constantly bombarded with excellent new fantasy RPG experiences. But, hopefully,Fablemight have something simple under its belt that could at least set it apart from the likes ofAvowedandThe Elder Scrolls 6.
A Third-Person Camera Angle Could Set Fable 4 Apart
A Third-Person Camera Has Been a Major Part of Fable’s Identity So Far
EveryFablegame bar one has used a third-person camera angle, putting the player’s perspective just behind the character’s back, and for the most part, it suits the series perfectly. One oftheFableseries' greatest drawswas its sense of scale, and its vast rich fantasy world, filled with a variety of both appealing and intimidating locations. TheFableseries' third-person camera perspective added a level of fantastical intrigue and wonder to the series' exploration, whereas a first-person camera angle may have made its locations feel slightly too oppressive or claustrophobic.
Though theFablefranchise never really had players create their own character, the series' third-person perspective does help to forge a connection between the player and their in-game avatar, with their button inputs resulting in direct actions on-screen, slowly building a subtle connection over time. This was further reinforced byFable’s customization options. Though they were sparse, customization options such as hairstyles, tattoos, and equipment helped to make the player’s character feel like their own, and seeing those cosmetic changes on-screen at all times helped to further that feeling.
Fable 4’s Camera Could Give it The Edge Over Upcoming Fantasy RPGs
Though it hasn’t been officially confirmed ifFablewill have a third-person camera perspective, it really should, with it being a core piece of the franchise’s identity up until now. Aside from that element,Fablehaving a third-person camera angle would also give it a unique edge over a few members of its competition. From what’s been revealed so far from trailers,Avowedwill be a strictlyfirst-person fantasy RPG, and while it looks extremely promising, that first-person camera angle might be off-putting to anyone who prefers to see their custom character and custom loadout shown at all times during gameplay.
A first-person perspective can add a much deeper layer of immersion to a game, but that doesn’t mean that third-person games can’t be just as immersive—they just might need to try a bit harder. There are plenty of examples of this in recent memory, withThe Witcher 3,Dragon’s Dogma, and most recently,Baldur’s Gate 3all being incredibly immersive third-person RPGs.
Fable
WHERE TO PLAY
Fable is an RPG developed by Playground Games and published by Microsoft. Set in Albion, the game challenges players to define what it means to be a hero.
