15 Video Game Franchises That Tried Something Wildly Different (And Failed)

There's no doubt that the action RPG series Fable has proved to be one of Xbox's most successful IPs since its debut in 2004. Player choice and freedom have always been the series' standout elements, and, mixed with decent melee and ranged combat, it quickly became a fan favourite.

By the time 2012 came along, Fable had already spawned two mainline sequels, with fans excited for more. Around this time, Xbox was beginning to heavily market its Kinect peripheral, and was looking to involve as many of its major franchises with the motion sensor device as possible. Developer Lionhead Studios subsequently released Fable: The Journey, a Kinect exclusive that raised more than a few eyebrows.

The game is essentially a first person, on rails shooter, that feels more like a Kinect showcase than an actual entry in the Fable franchise. Players travel through Albion in a horse and cart, using the Kinect's motion controls to perform actions like steering, casting spells and interacting with the environment. There's no exploration or RPG mechanics whatsoever. Many of the franchise's fans felt it was completely disassociated with everything they loved about Fable.

Fable: The Journey ultimately failed to live up to the high standards the series had set for itself. It felt like an unnecessary gimmick. It did little to push the franchise forward, and proved to be the last game the series would release other than a remaster of the original. Until 2027's impressive looking reboot, of course, which many fans are hoping will drag the Fable IP back into the spotlight.