Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and more, a recap of Xbox's Developer_Direct 2026
This year is a special year for Xbox as the American manufacturer's first console will celebrate its 25th anniversary. For players, this means that 2026 will be a great year. Indeed, the Redmond firm is going all out by releasing new games representing its most famous licenses, including Fable and Forza Horizon, which were highlighted during the last Developer_Direct. This event also allowed us to see more about Beast of Reincarnation and discover Kiln, the new game from Double Fine.
Fable: the adventure will begin this fall
Fable is a mythical Xbox license created by Lionhead Studios, a studio founded by Peter Molyneux. The concept is quite simple: players identify with the main character by allowing them to follow him from his childhood. Taking the form of an action-RPG, the title mainly emphasizes the moral choices that must be made throughout the adventure, all with typically British humor. These have various repercussions in the short or long term. In 2020, Xbox announced that a reboot of the license was in the works. Simply named Fable, it was entrusted to Playground Games, a studio specializing in the development of the Forza Horizon license.
Six years later, the time has come... Fable is about to be released. As Microsoft just announced, the title will land in the fall of 2026 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. This may still be surprising, but let's remember that Xbox has ended exclusivities, the most notable being the announcement of the Halo remake on PS5. Of course, the game will be available in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from its release, it will be playable via the Cloud, and it will also be Xbox Play Anywhere.
On this occasion, new images have been unveiled. We can thus appreciate the character editor, the importance of choices, and a preview of the combat system. True to their reputation, the development studio teams seem to have taken care of the visuals. Fans of the license will be able to return to Albion, while newcomers can discover this magical world.
Forza Horizon 6: heading to Japan
After Colorado, the south of France with the north of Italy, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Mexico, it's Japan's turn. The Forza Horizon license is synonymous with freedom, travel, and fun. This year, it's a dream destination that will serve as the playground for the new installment. From May 19, PC and Xbox Series X|S players will be able to discover the largest map in the license. Drivers will also be able to enjoy the Cloud to play this Forza Horizon 6. PlayStation 5 players won't be forgotten, but they will have to wait a little longer, as the date is not yet fixed, although the release is confirmed for 2026.
Playground Games promises an immersion in Japanese automotive culture as well as a change of scenery with the integration of several biomes. Dynamic seasons will renew the visual rendering throughout the games. New shared experiences will be integrated, and vehicle fans will be able to indulge themselves by collecting 550. Moreover, the magnificent GR GT Prototype 2025 will be added to the garage, in addition to being featured on the game's cover alongside the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Beast of Reincarnation: when Game Freak steps out of Pokémon
When we talk about Game Freak, we inevitably think of the Pokémon franchise, the studio developing the games for Nintendo. And sometimes, it steps out of its comfort zone and offers a new experience. This year, it will be the case with Beast of Reincarnation, an action-RPG revealed in 2025 that returns to the spotlight with a major presentation. Expected this summer, with integration directly into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the title invites you to follow the story of Emma and her dog Koo. The whole thing will take place in a post-apocalyptic Japan in 4026.
The duo is quite unique since the young girl, afflicted with the "Blight," hunts the "Malefact"... Except her companion is one. Instead of eliminating him, especially since the ailment she suffers from takes away her memory and emotions, she bonds with him. This promises an unusual adventure between two beings who are drawn to each other while everything pushes them to avoid each other. The duo will also offer a unique experience in terms of gameplay. Indeed, Emma will embody the action aspect, with real-time attacks, while Koo will allow for skill-related attacks. These will be selected from a menu that slows down time. The idea is to add a strategic layer to the battles.
Kiln: the surprise from Double Fine
When an artist's soul meets a warrior's heart, it creates pottery that comes to life to engage in combat. This is the new fantasy from Double Fine Productions, an excellent studio founded by Tim Schafer. He rivals in imagination to offer experiences that are out of the ordinary. It's a good thing, Kiln is the new representative of this creative madness. Expected this spring on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with day one integration into Game Pass Ultimate, the title takes the form of an online multiplayer brawler. Its peculiarity is to allow you to shape your fighter by modeling it within a pottery workshop. Then, it comes to life, endowed with abilities that depend on its shape and style, before finding itself in an arena for a 4 vs 4 battle.
Cover image: Xbox®
