After multiple delays, Playground Games’ Fable reboot has a firm release date: February 23, 2027. Announced at the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, pre-orders are live across Steam, Xbox, and PS5. Here is everything you need to know about editions, pricing, gameplay, and the cast.
Playground Games’ Fable reboot launches on February 23, 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. Confirmed during the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7, 2026, this marks the first new mainline Fable game since Lionhead Studios’ Fable: The Journey in 2012. The game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.
Why Has Fable Been Delayed So Many Times?
Fable’s road to release has been anything but smooth. After Lionhead Studios was shut down by Microsoft in 2016, the franchise went dormant. Playground Games, best known for the Forza Horizon series, began work on the reboot in 2017 with a dedicated second team. The game was officially announced at the Xbox Games Showcase in July 2020 as a “new beginning” for the series.
Originally targeting 2025, the launch was pushed to 2026 by Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan in February 2025. At the Xbox Developer Direct in January 2026, Playground Games confirmed an Autumn 2026 window and simultaneously announced a PS5 version for the first time. Then on May 29, 2026, Xbox chief Matt Booty revealed another shift to February 2027, stating the team wanted Fable to “have the dedicated moment it deserves” without competing with the packed holiday lineup. The final date of February 23, 2027 was locked in at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7, 2026.
How Much Does Fable Cost? All Editions and Pre-Order Bonuses
Fable is available in three editions, all of which are open for pre-order right now. Here is a full breakdown of what each version includes:
| Edition | Price (USD / EUR / GBP) | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | $69.99 / €69.99 / £56.95 | Base game |
| Premium Edition | $99.99 / €89.99* / £89.99 | Base game + 5-day early access (Feb 18) + Order of the Hero DLC + Premium content pack + digital artbook & soundtrack |
| Collector’s Edition | $199.99 / €199.99 / £189.99 | Everything in Premium + Jack of Blades statuette + hardcover art book + SteelBook case + Guild Seal lapel pin |
Anyone who pre-orders any edition receives the Pre-Order Content Pack, which includes the Chicken Suit cosmetic outfit and three in-game gifts: a Wild Flower Bouquet, a Toy Chicken, and a Scones & Jam Picnic Hamper. Premium Edition buyers gain early access starting February 18, 2027, five days before the standard launch.
The Collector’s Edition is available through the Xbox Gear Store for Xbox Series X, PS5, and PC (Steam code). Xbox and PlayStation buyers receive a physical disc, while Steam customers get a digital code. In Europe, the Collector’s Edition appears to be an Xbox Gear Store exclusive.
Which Platforms Will Fable Be On?
Fable will launch simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam and Microsoft Store), and Xbox Cloud Gaming. This is a historic first for the franchise: no previous Fable game has ever appeared on a PlayStation platform. The game also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning a single purchase on Xbox grants access on both console and PC.
For Game Pass subscribers, Fable is a day-one addition to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Subscribers can also purchase the Premium Edition Upgrade separately to unlock early access and the DLC content without buying the full-price game.
What Kind of Game Is the New Fable?
Fable is a third-person, open-world action RPG. Playground Games describes it as a full reboot rather than a sequel, creating a brand-new story set in Albion that is not tied to the original trilogy’s timeline or characters. The studio built the game on ForzaTech, the proprietary engine behind their Forza Horizon titles, adapted for a fantasy RPG setting.
Combat uses what the developers call “style-weaving,” allowing players to switch seamlessly between melee weapons, ranged attacks, and magic spells mid-combat without any delay. Enemies have individual strengths and weaknesses that encourage tactical use of all three combat styles. Director Ralph Fulton described the system as designed for fluid, frictionless transitions: “You should be able to strike with a sword and then hurl a fireball in a smooth movement.”
How Does the Open World and Story Work?
In classic Fable fashion, the game begins with the player as a child in the village of Briar Hill. After discovering heroic powers, a time jump advances the story to adulthood. A mysterious stranger turns the hero’s grandmother and the entire village to stone, setting the player on a quest to find answers. Grandmother’s final words point toward Bowerstone and the Heroes’ Guild.
From the moment you leave Briar Hill, the entire map of Albion is open. There is no level gating and no ticking clock forcing you along the main story path. Fulton explained: “The story will wait for you. You could go to the most northerly village in Albion, get a job, settle down and get married if you want.” Progression and difficulty are designed around this freedom so every region offers meaningful content regardless of when you visit.
Over 1,000 Unique NPCs and a Living World
One of Fable’s standout features is its “Living Population” of over 1,000 individually handcrafted and voiced NPCs. Each character has a name, a role, a personality, and a daily routine. You can learn what they like, where they live, where they work, and what they look for in a partner.
Every house in the game can be entered. Players can buy properties, rent them to NPCs, form relationships, get married, and have children. The morality system returns in a reimagined form: witnessed actions and choices shape your regional reputation, affecting how individual townspeople and the broader world respond to you.
Who Is in the Cast?
Fable features an ensemble of well-known British actors. Hayley Atwell (Marvel’s Agent Carter, Mission: Impossible) plays Isabel, the main villain described as “the Hero of Wraithmarsh.” The player character is voiced by Lily Nichol (female) and Ukweli Roach (male). Matt King, famous for playing Super Hans in Peep Show, portrays Humphry, Albion’s greatest former hero. Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd) voices Dave the Giant, while Natasia Demetriou (What We Do in the Shadows) plays Jenny and Nathan Foad (Our Flag Means Death) plays her brother Jacob.
Additional cast members include Susan Wokoma as Arden the Cobbler, Nina Wadia as Grandma, Kwame Augustine as Connor, and Robert Whitelock as Nigel the Sheriff. Playground Games placed heavy emphasis on preserving the series’ distinctly British humour, citing inspirations like Peep Show, The IT Crowd, and The Office.
What Are the PC System Requirements?
Steam has listed the following minimum specifications:
- OS: Windows 10 22H2
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 / Intel i7-6850K / i5-10400
- RAM: 12 GB
- GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6600 / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 / Intel A580
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 135 GB (SSD required)
The game supports 4K visuals with NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR upscaling, along with uncapped framerates on PC. Recommended specifications have not yet been detailed in full.
What Is the Order of the Hero DLC?
Included with the Premium and Collector’s Editions, “Fable: Order of the Hero” is a story-driven post-launch expansion. It takes the player deeper into Albion to uncover the secrets of a dark, ancient cult. The Premium Edition also comes with two cosmetic armour sets (Splendid Armour and Bastard Armour), nine in-game gifts for NPC interactions, and a digital artbook and soundtrack composed by Jacob Shea.
Is Game Pass the Best Way to Play Fable?
For players who prefer not to pay the full $69.99 upfront, Xbox Game Pass is the most cost-effective entry point. Fable is confirmed as a day-one Game Pass title for both console (Ultimate) and PC Game Pass subscribers. If you want early access and the DLC, the standalone Premium Edition Upgrade can be purchased on top of a Game Pass subscription. This combination gives you full Premium benefits without needing to buy the standard edition separately.
Things Players Usually Want to Know
When exactly does Fable release?
February 23, 2027. Premium Edition owners can play from February 18, 2027.
Is Fable coming to PS5?
Yes. For the first time in the series’ history, Fable will be available on a PlayStation console at launch alongside Xbox and PC.
Is this a sequel to Fable 3?
No. Playground Games built this as a complete reboot. It takes place in a reimagined Albion with a new story, new characters, and no direct continuity with the original trilogy.
Does Fable have multiplayer?
No. It is a single-player experience only.
Can I get a physical copy?
The Collector’s Edition includes a physical disc for Xbox and PS5. The Standard Edition is also available physically through retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Walmart in the US. UK physical pre-orders are still limited as of early June 2026.
What languages are supported?
The Steam page currently lists English, German, French, Italian, Simplified Chinese, and six additional languages. Full audio is confirmed for English and German so far.
Final Verdict: Is Fable Worth the Wait?
After years of delays, Fable now has a locked date and a clear vision. Playground Games has combined its open-world expertise from Forza Horizon with a deep RPG framework, a star-studded British cast, and a reimagined Albion that blends fairy-tale charm with darker storytelling. Launching simultaneously on PS5, Xbox, and PC with day-one Game Pass support makes it one of the most accessible RPG launches of early 2027. Pre-orders are live now on Steam, the Xbox Store, the PlayStation Store, and major retailers. Whether you choose the Standard, Premium, or Collector’s Edition, February 23 is the date to mark on your calendar.
