5 Best Video Games To Play While Waiting For Fable

Ever since "Fable" concept art apparently leaked online in 2024, fans have been awaiting the return of Xbox Game Studios' big fantasy franchise. The existence of a new game in the series, simply titled "Fable," was since confirmed and expected for a 2027 release. Now, players are ready to get back to the medieval realm of Albion. The new game is poised to bring a full open-world experience to fans, played from the franchise's typical third-person perspective. But with "Fable" not making its big comeback until next year, there are plenty of other games to help tide us over for the last leg of the wait.

We're highlighting the games that players should consider revisiting before "Fable" debuts for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5 in 2027. Some of these listed games are also open-world and others are also played primarily from a third-person perspective. But what brings all of these games together is a medieval world to explore, with a compelling narrative and plenty of epic action. Here are the five best video games to play while waiting for "Fable" and its epic fantasy action.

Over 15 years later and "Dragon Age: Origins" is still the best title in the Bioware fantasy video game series. Released in 2009, the game takes place in the Kingdom of Ferelden, which is besieged by a monstrous horde known as the darkspawn. Players choose their characters' backstories, which does affect how the narrative unfolds, while uniting the disparate civilizations against a common enemy. Like "Fable," players can also get into all sorts of messy romantic situations as they embark on their quest.

"Dragon Age" has its own distinct mythology, which is impressively introduced and told right from the series' inaugural entry. The combat mechanics draw from Bioware's past fantasy RPG work and, oddly, is something that later entries never quite attempted to replicate moving forward. Beyond the gameplay, the game provides players with a memorable supporting cast to fill out their party and multiple major narrative decisions inviting replayability. One of the best fantasy games of the 21st century, "Dragon Age: Origins" is an engrossing RPG that we keep coming back to.

It stands to reason, if you're looking to play the new "Fable" game, that it's a good time to look back at the franchise's roots. While the 2027 relaunch is set to feature its own standalone narrative rather than continue the story from prior games, the broader sensibilities and aesthetics should hopefully carry over. The most recent mainline game in the series is 2010's "Fable III," following the player character as they move to overthrow an unjust ruler and manage their kingdom. The game boasts an all-star voice cast and a greater emphasis on humor, which will likely be continued in the 2027 title based on its trailers and initial footage.

Franchise creator Peter Molyneux called "Fable III" a trainwreck but, while it's not as esteemed as "Fable II," it does offer the most modern title in the series — until the new one, anyway. While the first two "Fable" games have their own charm, "Fable III" feels like the most ambitious title in the franchise, particularly with its kingdom management mechanics. The combat gameplay remains solid and the morality system is particularly robust, as other elements that can inform how the 2027 game proceeds. An uneven but enjoyable entry in the series, "Fable III" is a reminder of where the franchise left off before its extended hiatus.

Bethesda Softworks has been crafting epic medieval fantasy adventures for decades with its "Elder Scrolls" franchise. This includes the series' latest mainline installment, "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim," which debuted in 2011 and has been remastered for modern platforms on multiple occasions. Within the fantasy world of Tamriel, the game is set in a northern, mountainous province already consumed by civil war before it's then besieged by dragons. The player character sets out to slay these dragons while accomplishing various quests and joining guilds throughout the region.

With its impressive scope, "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" is one of the best open-world games of all time. The level of freedom that players have as they explore the titular province adds to the sheer awe and immersive experience. The combat system has also been overhauled since "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion," giving it a decidedly more visceral edge. Still a standout in the series for 15 years, "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" has masterfully retained its overall fun factor.

Another one of the best fantasy video games of all time is "The Witcher III: Wild Hunt," which was released in 2015. The game has legendary monster hunter Geralt of Rivia reunite with his long-lost lover Yennefer of Vengerberg to defend Geralt's adopted daughter Ciri. Because of her elven heritage and magical potential, Ciri is hunted by a group of supernatural adversaries. The game provides players with an open-world experience as Geralt embarks on quests around the fantasy realm as it's torn apart by an ongoing war.

"The Witcher III" brings all the mature and sophisticated storytelling that the franchise is known for, with a much more ambitious scope and sense of consequence. The game has a truly epic feel and offers engaging quests that embrace the multifaceted aspects of its gameplay and the fantasy world it's set in. The story is continued by an impressive amount of DLC, including Geralt encountering a coven of vampires and a cursed noble. With the game getting remastered for modern platforms in September 2026, now's the perfect time to revisit "The Witcher III: Wild Hunt."

Easily the most grounded game on this list, "Kingdom Come: Deliverance II" has gameplay and visual aesthetic qualities that align with "Fable." This includes placing the player character, 15th century warrior Henry of Skalitz, in a conflict to liberate his country from an unjust king who has seized the throne. The gameplay unfolds from a first-person perspective, giving players a wide arsenal of period-appropriate weapons to choose from. The game also places a heavy emphasis on reputation, with characters responding to Henry and his actions throughout the story accordingly.

The grounded medieval warfare elements in "Kingdom Come: Deliverance II" are well-rendered and staged and fantasy titles should take note, including "Fable." Similarly, the reputation mechanic is something that could inform many action RPGs' respective morality systems, affecting how player characters are perceived. Links to "Fable" aside, the title is just an all-around great game and a superior sequel to the original "Kingdom Come: Deliverance." Expertly delivering medieval action with a sumptuously detailed setting, "Kingdom Come: Deliverance II" is a fantastic adventure game.