After the cancellation ofFable Legendsand the subsequent closing of Lionhead Studios, fans of the fantasy seriesFablewere worried that it spelled the end of the franchise. However, players were relieved when it was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase in July 2020 that a newFablegame was in development. However, there has been barely any news since this announcement, and no release date was given. It’s safe to assume that gamers may be waiting a long time to get their hands on the nextFablegame, and they may be looking for something similar to play in the meantime.
If that is the case, they should look no further thanAlbion Online, amedieval fantasy MMORPG that has many of the popular elements of aFablegamewhile still giving players something different to sink their teeth into. Although the game has an online focus overFable’s single-player story-driven gameplay, there are echoes ofFable’s medieval fantasy aesthetic and character-focused gameplay inAlbion Online.
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Similarities Between Albion Online and Fable
There may be more obvious links, like the fact that theworld where theFablegames take place is also called Albion, but this is actually a reference to an old name for Great Britain and has connections to Arthurian legend. In other more superficial ways,Albion OnlineandFableare fairly similar. Both have RPG elements where there’s a focus on upgrading the player’s character as they progress throughout the game. Helping NPCs and completing quests in both games helps with this, awarding experience in theFablegames and Fame inAlbion Online.
Both theFablegames andAlbion Onlinegive players the chance to roam the lush landscapes of their setting, showcasing both of their slightly cartoonish fantasy art styles. Along with similar designs, bothFableandAlbion Onlinefeature anatomically improbable character design, with burly physiqued heroes of impossible stature and muscle strength battling it out againstmythical foes likeFable’s balverinesor more human enemies inAlbion Online’s PVP modes. In addition to the combat,Albion OnlineandFablegive players the option to pursue more domestic tasks alongside their adventuring, like marrying and purchasing property inFableto raising crops and building homesteads inAlbion Online.
With their medieval fantasy environments that are reminiscent of an old European setting embued with magical features, bothAlbion OnlineandFablefeel like games in the same vein. They give players the choice to largely shape their characters as they see fit, either pushing them down more melee-focused paths or trying their hand at a few spells. AlthoughAlbion Onlineoffers more customization (as is typical with an MMORPG),Fablefeatures an interesting morality system that allows player choice to affect how their protagonist will turn out.
Why Players Should Give Albion Online A Try
AlthoughAlbion Onlineisn’t justFablewith a sandbox MMORPG focus, it does operate in a similar sphere to the popular action RPG. It’s also a great game in its own right, and will not only scratch thatFableitch while fans wait for the next installment in the series, but is also an enjoyable online experience for players that love a bit of medieval fantasy in their gaming.Albion Online’s classless combat system allows for plenty of flexibility, as the items that players equip define their abilities and their method of play, rather than stats that they assign themselves at the start of the game.
The combat ranges from PVE battles to intense PVP encounters, and players can join guilds in order to face down enemies together or pursue a more solo experience. WhileFableis more focused on the journey of a single hero,Albion Onlinefeatures a range of wide-scale PVP battles and the opportunity for guilds to join up to conquer new territories. Gamers have a large impact on the world ofAlbion Online, as not only do their allegiances help shape the landscape of the game, but almost every item is player-crafted and feeds into the player-driven economy.
Albion Onlineis a fun and expansive online game, with a vast open-world to explore. With dungeons to conquer, cities to get to grips with, and mythical monsters lurking in undiscovered lairs, there’s more than enough to keep gamers entertained.
Albion Onlineis available now on Mobile and PC.
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