Fable 4needs a lot of elements to come together if it wants to be a success. to compete with present and future fantasy RPGs, it has to stand out with memorable characters and exciting combat, as well as environments worth exploring. What’s more,Fable 4needs a good story, and every RPG story needs a solid villain. As it develops the next entry in theFablefranchise, Playground Games might be tempted to look at past entries and revive an old antagonist. There’s a lot ofFablefans who would be thrilled to see the memorable Jack of Blades return inFable 4to help the franchise get back on its feet.
However, one has to wonder if Jack of Blades would really be the best move for the franchise. He has a ton ofname recognition in theFablecommunity, and could serve as a root for newFablegames to grow from, but he could also holdFable 4back.The franchise is in completely new hands and needs to reestablish its reputation after going on hiatus for a few years. Returning to Jack of Blades might not be a wise move on Playground Games' part, as it would sacrifice originality for familiarity.
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Jack of Blades' Pros and Cons for Fable 4
There’s obvious benefits to including Jack of Blades as a main antagonist ofFable 4.It saves Playground Games the time, energy, and risk involved in creating an original villain. As a familiar and well-liked face, Jack of Blades would serve as a potent selling point for long-timeFablefans, encouraging them to put a little more faith into Playground’s work. At the same time, Jack is a simple enough villain concept to invite new players into the franchise. Jack of Blades couldgroundFable 4in franchise historyand tradition while Playground Games introduces new ideas in other areas.
However, an appearance by Jack has downsides too. Playground Games needs to establish itself as a reliable developer for theFableIP, especially since it hasn’t worked on an RPG before. It’ll struggle to develop that credibility ifFable 4just rehashes ideas fromthe originalFabletrilogyrather than trying new things. An original, compelling villain would help Playground Games show thatFableis in the right hands. Jack of Blades returning would also come with the risk that Playground drops the ball with something precious; fans would be outraged if Jack of Blades got a weak depiction inFable 4.A new villain forFable 4may be safer than it seems at a glance.
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What Fable 4 Needs to Succeed
Fable 4might be better off with a new villain rather than bringing back someone old. There’s ways that Playground Games can establish ties between the newFablegame and its predecessors without reusing all of its main characters. In fact, a brand-new antagonist inFable 4could be useful in establishinghow Albion has changedunder Playground Games' watch, or they could help flesh out whatever new setting Playground might forge forFable 4.
This isn’t to say Jack of Blades should stay out of Playground’sFablegames forever. On the contrary,Fable 4could still tease that Jack of Blades is out there somewhere, potentially culminating in his return inFable 5many years down the line. If Playground focuses on building its credibility and detailing a new setting inFable 4,it can eventuallyweave in more oldFableelementsin future games. Jack of Blades is a fantastic character who served the firstFablegame well, butFable 4might not be his moment.
Fable 4is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
