While roguelike deck-builders are common, `The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike`, launching in November, offers a fresh take by allowing players to construct their own dynamic manga battle sequences.
This game draws inspiration from Katsuhisa Minami`s popular `The Fable` manga. The original story centers on a skilled assassin, `The Fable`, attempting to live an ordinary year-long hiatus, a plan that inevitably encounters complications.
Considering the success of Sega`s `Like A Dragon` franchise (previously `Yakuza`), which also explores the life of a former Japanese mobster drawn back into the criminal underworld, `The Fable` appears well-suited for a video game adaptation.
Instead of a direct narrative retelling, the game creatively incorporates actual manga panels. These vibrant action sequences function as a deck of cards, each possessing attributes such as attack, defense, or movement. Players strategically arrange these panels to dictate the flow of combat, then witness their customized battle unfold.
Meet the Characters
Players will command three distinct characters, each offering unique strengths and vulnerabilities for crafting battle scenarios:
- Akira: The main protagonist, a highly proficient hitman excelling in both close-quarters combat and ranged attacks with firearms.
- Yoko: His sister, who employs ambushes for surprise attacks.
- Suzuki: Another hitman, adept at utilizing traps and applying debuffs to adversaries.
As players progress, they can enhance their manga deck, boosting the power of individual panels.
Additional Challenges and Release Details
For those seeking additional challenges, the game includes a Puzzle Mode with single-page battle scenarios, alongside minigames that reimagine iconic moments from the original manga.
“Both long-time fans and newcomers to the series will experience the intense tension and clever battle design inherent to the manga,” developer Mono stated in a press release.
Publisher Kodansha, also responsible for `The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike`, started publishing English editions of `The Fable` manga in 2024. The game itself is scheduled for release on PC (via Steam) and Nintendo Switch on November 5th.