The Bard's Tale

 PlayStation 2
The Bard's Tale Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

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  • Summary: One man on his own. A poet and a rogue, with no friends to speak of, no one to mourn his passing shouuld it come to that. Even those beside hime are no more boon companions than bondservants, summoned by sorcery and song, as cold and indifferent to him as the light of a wanderin' star. Is aOne man on his own. A poet and a rogue, with no friends to speak of, no one to mourn his passing shouuld it come to that. Even those beside hime are no more boon companions than bondservants, summoned by sorcery and song, as cold and indifferent to him as the light of a wanderin' star. Is a Dragon terrorising the locals? He'll take care of it for the right price. Local princess held captiver? The Bard is your man as long as she's hot. Forget the quest to save the world, our hero is interested in just two things...Coin and Cleavage. The Bard's Tale is a new generation action-RPG with wicket humour and stunning graphics. [inXile Entertainment]… Expand
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The Bard's Tale Official Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 44
  3. Negative: 1 out of 44
  1. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    90
    Doesn't do anything particularly original, but that's not really the point. The point is the content, the script, and the wit, and in these areas it excels. [Nov 2004, p.118]
  2. XGP Gaming
    85
    What will immediately stand out for you when playing this game is the humor. The game loves to make fun of other games in its genre and does so in a variety of different ways.
  3. IGN
    82
    There is so much humor and such a great sense of wit, I highly recommend The Bard's Tale to anyone who has even the slightest sense of humor...With a more refined combat system -- preferably with more combos or at least less abusive AI -- the next Bard's Tale could become a true classic.
  4. Da Gameboyz
    78
    I couldn't put this game down. I couldn't get the one liners out of my head.
  5. Siliconera
    75
    A refreshing change from the other RPGs out there. The game's good sense of humor carries the title from start to finish. On the other hand the gameplay isn't all there. It feels like a hack and slash "Diablo"-esque game that you don't actually fight in.
  6. PSX Nation
    70
    If The Bard’s Tale played as well as it pokes fun at hack-and-slash RPG clichés we’d be talking about a ‘10’ here. The repetitive combat and reliance on tried-and-true RPG conventions, sadly, bring down the score.
  7. Game Revolution
    42
    Its sardonic take on typical conventions is thwarted by its own weak design, and its tongue-in-cheek humor fails more often than it succeeds. Laughter might well be the best medicine, but a bad joke is the worst ailment.

See all 44 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. AranduilFlamesw
    May 27, 2023
    10
    It's a game about bards, witty Scottish humour and a setting in rural Albion, what's more to say? Purchase it on Steam, it oft goes on sale.
  2. TrollGuy
    Jul 21, 2007
    9
    OK ya know what? i never played the game but i looked it up and It looks like a game you can get sucked into. look at the age of the game thenOK ya know what? i never played the game but i looked it up and It looks like a game you can get sucked into. look at the age of the game then look at the graphics of it. pretty good for how old it is. It looks like a game with out different levels so it is not so easy and short. I want to buy this game. really badly.... yeah...… Expand
  4. LeoT.
    Oct 30, 2004
    9
    That is what I expect for a true RPG. Gameplay doesn't really matter as long as it keeps its standard. What is truly important is the That is what I expect for a true RPG. Gameplay doesn't really matter as long as it keeps its standard. What is truly important is the content which is the soul of a RPG. Go for it, it deserves one of your collection slots.… Expand
  5. AdamT.
    Mar 30, 2007
    9
    Truly one of the best RPG's I've ever played. It's humor gives it great character that endears you. I actually felt like it Truly one of the best RPG's I've ever played. It's humor gives it great character that endears you. I actually felt like it was a fun adventure and not a simple dull one. I kept playing to see what would happen next. Pick up this gem today.… Expand
  6. JohnC.
    Nov 2, 2004
    8
    I really don't like these types of games, but the best one I played.
  7. DragonKnightofFinalFantasy
    Jan 16, 2005
    8
    I liked this game it was a fun little game, good gameplay a little old now though, it's funny, and the plot is good, the graphics are I liked this game it was a fun little game, good gameplay a little old now though, it's funny, and the plot is good, the graphics are pretty nice, that's not to say I don't have problem with the game like the camera angles were bad and it's really hard because there are so many creatures that al overpower the Bard making you constantly have to use your summon songs. It's still fun and it's funny with great music composed by Tommy Tallorico, host of G4's Electric Playground and Judgement Day. This game is worth picking up.… Expand
  8. Rox22
    Nov 8, 2013
    7
    Granted this game simply rehashes a tried-and-true hack-n-slash formula that was already done to death at the time, it's still allot of fun.Granted this game simply rehashes a tried-and-true hack-n-slash formula that was already done to death at the time, it's still allot of fun. While the gameplay might have been a little stale, the narrative and the general idea behind it are top notch. An RPG that seriously makes fun of RPGs to the highest degree. I also love how they are constantly breaking the fourth wall, the humor is just brilliant.

    Overall:
    The Bard's Tale may not have the most interesting gameplay, but the characters, writing and general wit will keep you playing. A fun different kind of RPG.    … Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best PS2 Game of 2004
39
#39 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004