Fable: Bloodline

**Input methods** | Keyboard / MouseController

"*Reclaim what is rightfully yours.*"
― Game tagline
***Fable: Bloodline*** is a fictional installment in the *Fable* franchise developed by Reality Distortion Incorporated. After the heavy success of *Republic Commando: Zero Hour*, the team at RDI was contracted to develop a new *Fable* game in an attempt to revive the long dead franchise.

*Bloodline* is unlike all previous *Fable* games, taking place in a futuristic Albion several centuries ahead of the previous game. It provides a new setting (albeit the same location) and the new gameplay mechanics that come with a new setting, but ultimately stays true to the core *Fable* theme of Heroes.

# Background

## Synopsis / Story

Civil war has ignited in Albion! Following the recent assassinations of a several high ranked senators in the Albion government in what appeared to be planned, tensions between the government and the underground resistance led by a man named Carson Cullen known as Cullen's Rebellion. Originally the resistance group formed in attempts to protest the government on charges of it stealing and lying to the people, being more corrupt and controlling rather than the perfect, happy-go-lucky government everyone thought they were. The government decided to launch an all-out war against the resistance, even going as far as using military force to fight Cullen's Rebellion.

Recently contracted as an investigator to help solve the murders of the Albion senators, Tate finds himself in a new and confusing world. He begins to learn more about the civil war as he conducts more of his investigation and eventually comes to learn more about Albion's past with Heroes. His investigation takes him to old ruins underneath the bustle of the city. Tate discovers that these old ruins are in fact the ruins of the Old Kingdom from centuries ago, when Heroes were still a large part of Albion.

## Setting

*Bloodline* takes place in a futuristic Albion, which is based off a near-futuristic version of London. Unlike previous *Fable* games, which took place in times of emerging technology, *Fable: Bloodline* moves the setting to the future, in a time where Heroes have been forgotten from the living memory, only alive through children's stories and avid historians.

# Reception

"*[Fable: Bloodline]* is quite an enjoyable game with satisfying and comprehensive controls and mechanics. The scenery is very polished, the writing is very well done, and overall the game feels very complete. However, the fact that it is branded as a *Fable* game throws everything off. The futuristic setting takes away a lot of what the *Fable* Universe is known for, what it grew from. The developers certainly did a great job with the game itself, but clearly had no business using the *Fable* franchise as a way to promote their game. 6/10*"*
― Alt F4 Reviews
While most critics enjoyed the game and applauded it for its design and fluid gameplay mechanics, many panned *Bloodline*, saying that it didn't feel exactly like a *Fable* game. The futuristic setting, although beautiful, was out of place. The recurring theme of Heroes, abilities, and saving the people were not enough to justify the game as a *Fable* installment. For many critics, this brought scores down.