The Bard's Tale

 Xbox
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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Bard's Tale is a modern interpretation of the original role-playing game of the same name. In this game, you'll take on the role of the Bard, a sardonic and opportunistic musician and adventurer. You can choose the Bard's responses toward other characters that he encounters with eitherThe Bard's Tale is a modern interpretation of the original role-playing game of the same name. In this game, you'll take on the role of the Bard, a sardonic and opportunistic musician and adventurer. You can choose the Bard's responses toward other characters that he encounters with either "snarky" or nice dialogue. Each choice changes the course of events in the game. All the action takes place in medieval environments rife with townsfolk, birds, animals, rustling trees, and trickling water.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 50
  3. Negative: 1 out of 50
  1. Game Chronicles
    90
    It's not as epic as "KOTOR" and your karma-building decisions aren't as crucial to the gameplay, but this game packs in more humor and charm than anything I can remember.
  2. Extreme Gamer
    85
    One of the best role playing experiences for the Xbox console in 2004.
  3. Gaming Nexus
    82
    They play upon an RPGers Pavlovian response toward barrel-bashing and rat-hunting, manifest one of the genre's most unforgettable anti-heroes, dutifully employ intelligent scriptwriting, and make it all a very enjoyable chord.
  4. TeamXbox
    77
    A sluggish and repetitive combat system and overly simplistic RPG elements leave The Bard's Tale wondering exactly what type of game it is. It does have plenty of hilarious moments, but ironically many of the aspects that the game pokes fun at in relation to other RPGs, it suffers from as well.
  5. Detroit Free Press
    75
    One of the few games that is downright funny, and there were honest laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled throughout it that kept me playing.
  6. 1UP
    70
    If the thin plot of games with similar mechanics bothers you, this could end up as your favorite in the genre.
  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 50 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. BlueFalcon
    Aug 26, 2005
    8
    It's a hack and slasher with excellent humour. The hacking and slashing isn't super polished, but I found it much more entertaining It's a hack and slasher with excellent humour. The hacking and slashing isn't super polished, but I found it much more entertaining than a lot of other games out there. I would recommend the game for sure.… Expand
  2. Rick
    Mar 2, 2006
    7
    Having played through and conquered Bards Tale 1, 2, 3 on the Commodore 64 (yes...you should see the hand drawn maps I have in what were the Having played through and conquered Bards Tale 1, 2, 3 on the Commodore 64 (yes...you should see the hand drawn maps I have in what were the nastiest dungeons ever created in a game) I was very excited about the possibilites of an updated version of these games (better graphics, different engine/interface etc). With the original creator Brian Fargo on board I was hoping for more story, better character development, differing quests. As a highpoint of the game I was enjoying the Bards ability to conjure a helper; elctricity spider, archer, warrior, knight and so on but there just weren't enough of these characters - maybe another 10 and ending up with a pet Dragon at the end? Also more variety of weapons and armour would have been nice. Enjoyable enough, with some humour, worth a rent. Worth a buy if you are an RPG fan.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best Xbox Game of 2004
52
#52 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004