The Bard's Tale

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 103
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 103
  3. Negative: 11 out of 103
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  1. AsheZx
    Nov 13, 2014
    7
    Has nothing original to bring to the genre, and the game play is mediocre. However, this is by far, the most comedic game I have ever played - and I still laugh at it to this day,
  2. PrincessRose
    Feb 3, 2015
    5
    This game is sort of alright.

    Love the songs in this game. That is probably the only thing going for it, the humour and awesome songs. The controls, combat and camera are very clunky and awkward and the constant load screens are annoying as well. No inventory, little depth to the game and it becomes repetitive. Though no inventory can be classed as a good thing especially if    This game is sort of alright.

    Love the songs in this game.

    That is probably the only thing going for it, the humour and awesome songs.

    The controls, combat and camera are very clunky and awkward and the constant load screens are annoying as well. No inventory, little depth to the game and it becomes repetitive.

    Though no inventory can be classed as a good thing especially if you're a hoarder who finds it hard to part with anything in case you need it later. Not so with this game, no need to sell anything, it is automatic, any loot you pick up whether it be wolf pelts, or jewels etc. immediately turn to silvers, the currency of this game. If you find a weapon more powerful then the equipped, it immediately equips it and turns the old into silvers. But it also means less depth and not really any choice of what you equip. Such as you would rather equip a faster sword that has less dmg, but nope it would equip the weapon does the most dmg.

    This game is also very linear and more like an action adventure game than an RPG.

    I like the main character he is rather snarky and selfish and not a typical save the world hero, which makes for a nice change. He's in it primarily for coin and booty.

    But even so the fun songs become repetitive and don't vary much, always the same bad luck song with slight variation sung by trow. So 7 Trow songs and only 2, more unique songs that I came across and Iam very thorough in exploring so don't think I missed any.

    Can't recommend this game for the humour alone does not make up for the negatives.

    I found it a bit too repetitive to recommend, I only kept playing as I hate leaving a game uncompleted and it was not so terrible that I couldn't stand playing and now that I completed it, it's not a game Iam likely ever to play again. And to see the other ending I can just watch it on You Tube.    … Expand
  3. QweSteR
    Nov 28, 2017
    7
    [7.0] Финал игры не вызвал тёплых чувств, лишь раздражительное послевкусие от утомительного прохождения второй половины игры. Bard's Tale по праву называют самобытной CRPG, ведь ряд уникальных черт впервые реализован именно здесь. Bard's Tale сюжетно-ориентированная ARPG, где игроку предстоит играть роль настоящего барда, а сюжетная миссия проста и нетривиальна, в ходе которой потребуется[7.0] Финал игры не вызвал тёплых чувств, лишь раздражительное послевкусие от утомительного прохождения второй половины игры. Bard's Tale по праву называют самобытной CRPG, ведь ряд уникальных черт впервые реализован именно здесь. Bard's Tale сюжетно-ориентированная ARPG, где игроку предстоит играть роль настоящего барда, а сюжетная миссия проста и нетривиальна, в ходе которой потребуется спасти вполне обыкновенную принцессу из башни коварного мага. Ролевая система ничем непримечательна.., но за одним лишь главным исключением, - успех барда в бою достигается магией "песни", более десятка мелодий позволяют призывать различных спутников. Спутники не только сражаются, но и участвуют в разрешении некоторых загадок. Так же игра изобилует весёлыми караоке и отменным юмором от лица закадрового рассказчика. И что же не так в этой игре? Магия призыва хоть и богата вариативностью, но большая её часть бесполезна. В целом дизайн локаций оформлен хорошо, но половина локаций выполнена в виде однообразных лабиринтов, которые игроку придётся посетить от 1 до 3 раз, пробегая насквозь. В основе игры музыка и юмор, но мелодии однообразны, песни повторяются и редки, шутки же в определённый момент пропадают или остаются незамеченными. Экономическая и боевая системы сбалансированы бездарно: ближе к середине игры пропадает возможность тратить деньги, а казалось бы самый сильный враг не сильнее своих приспешников. Bard's Tale состоит из 14 глав, приблизительно к 6 главе тайна принцессы становится очевидной, действия игрока ещё более рутинными, в такой атмосфере игру просто хочется скорее пробежать или бросить. Вновь возвращаться к Bard's Tale нет никакого желания. Неужели "гений" Brian Fargo заключается в создании ремейков и переизданий к собственным играм?… Expand
  4. vadhaghl
    Aug 18, 2018
    6
    If you expect this game to be like the CLASSIC Bard's Tale games, you will be deeply disappointed. There is a Bard, his songs have some power, and that's it.
    The game itself is ok, not more, not less. 6.5/10, went for 6 because of the misleading name.
  5. Topfpflanze
    Apr 27, 2021
    7
    The Bard's Tale is not really a good game in the strictest sense. It's an unbalanced hack and slash adventure game that hangs in many places and doesn't have a viable story or even a credible goal. However, it is a lot of fun to play. It's pure comedy in places, and the songs are legendary. You can unbox it and reminisce about old memories if you've played it before.

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005
30
#30 Most Shared PC Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. PC Format
    45
    A victim of its own sneers, this is the world's first self-parodying game. [July 2005, p.90]
  2. Computer and Video Games
    68
    While The Bard's Tale is told amusingly enough, the disappointing combat fails to lift it from the upper end of mediocrity.
    Read full review
  3. CPUGamer
    80
    The wit present in this game is second to none and I honestly think this is what would have happened had Mel Brooks gotten into game making.
    Read full review
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