It’s been almost twelve years since Lionhead Studios released its third and final installment in the popularFableseries. WhileFable 3had plenty of fans, the game also faced criticism for a lack of diversity in its enemy types, repetitive missions, and performance issues – particularly on PC. Despite some player complaints and a smattering of disappointment, the third game in theFablefranchise still received mostly positive reviews, and it seemed likely that a follow-up would soon be in the works. However, due to some internal issues at Lionhead Studios,Fable Legendswas canceled in 2016 and the developer was shut down soon after.
Fans were left reeling from the news, and it seemed like this might mark the end of theFableseries. However, it has thankfully been resurrected, and the next installment has been confirmed to bein development at Playground Games. However, many players are wondering what aspects of the older games the new title will feature, like the focus on fantasy elements and the use of magic. WhileFable 3saw quite a distinct change in setting compared to the previous two titles, the modernization of many aspects of Albion didn’t do away with magic altogether, and it remains one of the more underrated aspects ofFable 3’s gameplay.
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The Way Magic Works In Fable 3
Alongside the melee and ranged weaponry options inFable 3’s combat, players were able to utilize a few spells to help them out of any tricky spots. Magic, or Will as it’s known to the inhabitants of Albion, has always had arole to play in theFableseries. It has been the foundation of a lot of the franchise’s more fantastical elements and remained a fun part of the games' combat. InFable 3, Will could be channeled through some steampunk-looking gauntlets, and players were given six basic spells to use: Blades, Ice Storm, Fireball, Shock, Vortex, and Force Push. These could be used on their own and even charged up to cause greater damage, although this required players to remain stationary, which in turn made them temporarily vulnerable.
Alternatively, up to two spells could be combined to create a unique combination of abilities. Players couldcombine Force Push and Shock to stun enemiesas they were flung from the protagonist or mix Blades and Vortex to spin foes about the area while pelting them with knives. Not only did this feature give players options when it came to how they wanted to dispatch their enemies, but it also made combat entertaining and dynamic. Spell Weaving let players get creative while also giving them access to more powerful spells, and it was an inventive way to level up combat and distinguishFable 3’s combat from the previous games.
How It Became Lost Amidst The Noise
In lots of ways,Fable 3strove for a more mature experience than its predecessors. It still had the slightly silly humor and cartoonish design, but instead ofFableandFable 2’s more chaotic brand of fun,Fable 3put the weight of the entire kingdom on the player’s shoulders. This involved making logistical decisions, like whether to ruin a natural landscape with a quarry or build a brothel instead of an orphanage. The latter part of the game was basically an exercise in money management, which was met with mixed reactions from players. To its credit,Fable 3tried to do something a little different, but it culminated in an entry that was lacking some of what made the first two titles special.
With the shift to a more industrial setting and an embrace of all things ‘modern,‘Fable 3felt like it was trying to leave its fairytale roots behind. With the introduction of elements like machinery and guns, magic seemed to have less of a place in this new Albion, even though it was still featured as a combat mechanic. Some elements ofFable 3received criticism from fans, especially given the success and popularity ofFable 2, and this led to its better features being overlooked. While much is still unknown about the upcomingFable, hopefully it will include a flexibility in its magic usage that mirrorsFable 3’s creativity.
Fableis in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
