Fable’s Offbeat Mentor Character Humphry Should Only Be the Beginning

Featuring a mix of cutscenes and gameplay, the recent Xbox Games Showcase trailer for Playground Games’ Fable reboot provided the best look yet at the upcoming RPG. While the trailer gave franchise fans their first glimpse of the game’s protagonist in action, it also highlighted retired hero Humphry’s role as mentor to both the hero and, seemingly, the game’s villain. Rather than having Humphry be the only hero helping players throughout their time with Fable, though, Playground Games should have him be the first of many mentors players encounter during their journey.

Humphry’s narration throughout Fable‘s Xbox Games Showcase trailer sets him up as the same sort of arrogant, aloof hero that players frequently encountered in previous games in the franchise. The detached view he takes of the people he protects is particularly reminiscent of how the members of the Heroes Guild viewed the citizens of Albion in the first Fable. This could hint at the group’s return in the upcoming reboot, with Humphrey serving as players’ ambassador to the guild. But even if the Heroes Guild doesn’t make an appearance, Humphry should be only one of several memorable mentors helping players make their way through Fable’s off-kilter fantasy world.

Humphrey Could Hint at the Return of Fable’s Heroes Guild

Despite playing a prominent role in the original Fable, the Heroes Guild had fallen out of favor in Albion by the time of the second game. While it is unclear what specifically led the people of Albion to turn on their protectors and bring about the destruction of Fable’s Heroes Guild, Playground Games’ upcoming reboot could mark the group’s return. Bringing back this misfit collection of morally questionable characters would be the perfect way to have players train under an eclectic series of eccentric heroes.

Depending on when in the Fable timeline the game takes place, its story could finally explain what led to the downfall of the Heroes Guild. Given the Fable franchise’s focus on player choice, gamers could even help set the stage for the group’s destruction by siding with the people of Albion against the heroes who had once protected them. Regardless of whether the Heroes Guild returns, though, Fable shouldn’t limit players to having Humphry as their only mentor throughout the game.

Players Should Meet Multiple Memorable Mentors During Their Time With Fable

Even if the Heroes Guild isn’t resurrected for the Fable reboot, Playground Games should still find a way to add multiple memorable mentors to the mix. This would not only add variety to the game, letting players learn new skills from a series of oddball adventurers, but it could also serve to showcase some serious star power. The first two Fable trailers already featured British comedians Matt King and Richard Ayoade as Humphry and a veggie-loving giant respectively, so casting other well-known UK actors as mentors would make perfect sense.

Introducing players to an increasingly eccentric group of heroic mentors would fit well with Fable’s dryly comedic take on the fantasy genre and be a great way to keep the reboot’s story moving at a steady clip. As players’ existing mentors either flee or fall when faced with Fable’s antagonist, they could be forced to find new ones to help them in their quest. These sorts of short but memorable appearances could also make the idea of an in-game cameo more appealing to well-known actors who may not have the time or inclination to take on a meatier voice-acting role in Fable.

The appearance of has-been hero Humphrey in the latest Fable trailer sets the stage for what could be a menagerie of memorable mentors in the game. Whether encountered in the opulent headquarters of the Heroes Guild or simply as a series of quick, comedic cameos, letting players train under a rotating cast of Albion’s most unusual heroes could help make the latest Fable one of the franchise’s most entertaining entries yet.

Fable (2025)

Released

2025-00-00

Publisher(s)

Xbox Game Studios

Genre(s)

Action RPG , Adventure

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