Fable is one of those series that you either love or you hate. While Peter Molyneux is pretty well-known for his ability to push the hype train well past the point of it leaving the tracks altogether, there were many who very much enjoyed the Fable titles, and were looking forward to the new iteration in the form of Fable: Legends. Alas, it was not to be, as the game was cancelled and Lionhead Studios was ultimately dissolved.
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However, it appears that not quite everything from the cancelled game died completely. Billy Wimblett, one of the main artists who worked on Fable: Legends, has released a number of pieces of concept art on his own personal website. Fable: Legends was designed as a very different title to the previous in the series in terms of gameplay, as well as set in a different time period. However, it appears that the cartoonish art style, complete with bright colours contrasted against deep dark shadows, was to remain.
The concept art also tells us a little more on what the industry missed out on in terms of potential content. Because the game was set in the archaic past of Albion, there was plenty of representation from jungle-like plants, enormous magical mushrooms and cheeky blue wisps that lived in the almost-Jurassic forests. Balverines were also present, as well as some other, perhaps slightly less exciting landscape features such as rocks and clouds. Every little bit counts.
All in all, however, it appeared that the game was well on its way to completion before being unfortunately cut off in its prime. It remains to be seen if this title will emerge from the gaming graveyard in the future, whether from another developer or under another name from whatever replaces Lionhead Studios. In either case, be sure to check out Billy Wimblett’s blog if you fancy seeing what could have been – perhaps there will be some solace to be found through mourning.
