Bards Tale
From Vivendi Universal
Loosely based on (or "inspired by", if you will) the classic Bard's Tale series that began as an Apple II RPG in 1985, this new installment brings a fresh dose of comedy to the genre with a 3D isometric view that runs on the Champions of Norrath engine. Is a dragon terrorizing the locals? The Bard will take care of it... for the right price. Local princess held captive? The Bard is your man... as long as she's hot. Use the Snarky/Nice conversation to pick the tone -- be an ass or show some class. Your attitude will affect the events that unfold and create a personalized experience for each player. Develop your combat party by summoning a group of eccentrics and misfits to do your bidding - sixteen summoned creatures in all. The game runs on the Champions of Norrath engine and features locations based on the storied land of the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland - the inspiration for the classic fantasy worlds.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #7426 in Video Games
- Brand: Vivendi Universal
- Model: 20626721035
- Released on: 2004-10-21
- ESRB Rating: Teen
- Platform: PlayStation2
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: .53" h x 5.75" w x 7.75" l, .35 pounds
Funniest game ever since Monkey Island!!!
I have been waiting for this game for quite a while...and know what?
It's just what I hoped it would be and even more!
As I started playing the game I just could not quit laughing. The Bard is a dirty ol' [...] and will say some of the nastyest and funniest things ever.
But let's examine the game:
1) Graphics 8/10: could be better, but what you need is there and many features are way above genre average.
2) Sound 10/10: FX and music are very good, voice acting is EXCEPTIONAL.
3) Gameplay: 8/10 very good but some overall flaws.
*For one the saving system is a nuisance and I don't understand while it is still around (find the tome and save only at the "tome point").
*The fighting system is ok (if somewhat more difficult than your typical Baldur's Gate for console) and you must not only rely on your sword but mostly on your summons and on finding out how to complement each other skills. You can't just go around bashing everything to pieces.
*The camera however is a bit of a pain. Way up in the sky, you see your character from above with no possibility of angle changing. Sometimes with trees around it gets somewhat frustrating.
*The "answer interaction" system is great and more games should adopt it. When you talk with people you don't have a set of "phrases" to choose from, you simply choose your attitude. This will affect how non playing characters (i.e. those you interact with) will perceive your Bard and how they will treat him. Being rude pays off sometimes.
4) Storyline 20 out of 10: AHAHAAHAHAHA... this game will just have you laughing, and laughing and laughing. The story is funny, very original and well delivered to you by a sarcastic narrator. I won't spoil the game here, you'll have to believe me. Just play the first 5 minutes and the laughing will start.
Bottomline:
Overall I would suggest this game to:
1. anybody who likes or has a grasp for RPGs.
2. anybody who likes humorous games
3. RPGers tired of the old cliche' games
4. all fans of non-politically correctness
5. any old school RPG gamer. The more RPGs you've played in the past the more you will laugh here.
In general I'd suggest this game to anybody who likes games. It's just fun to see something original and enjoyable.
Monty Python meets RPGs
The Bard's Tale is a pleasant poke at standard RPG stereotypes. If the Monty Python gang had made a video game, this would be it. The humor is, without a doubt, the best part of the game. I especially love the fact the "hero" is a drunk, women-chasing lout instead of a 14 year old boy (many of whom, as chosen ones, are slaughtered mercilessly throughout the game).
Some of the game's conventions take a bit of getting used to. For example, the defense system requires you to press the defense button each time you want to defend. Although this is a much more realistic way of fighting, the timing of this takes some practice to get down. No part of the game seemed insurmountably difficult to master. Random battles, the bane of many an RPG player, are present but easily avoidable.
I did like the game's automatic upgrade system for weapons and equipment. Whenever the Bard aquires a new weapon or piece of armor, the old one is automatically converted into silver. Although strategy purists will pine for more control, I personally liked not having to go through all of the trouble of inventory screens and selling off old weapons and the like.
My main beef with the game is the top down view. Sometimes the scenery would get in the way and the poor Bard would be hacked to death before I could rotate the camera enough to see him. Better camera control, automatic or manual, would have been welcome.
It's good to be an anti-hero
I LOVED this game. I haven't enjoyed a game this much since Neverwinter Nights! Now, I'm the sort who enjoys RPG's with good plot and drama. I'm not that into hack n slash. Admittedly, there was a fair share of that in this game, but there was plenty of comedy and innuendo for me to sufficiently enjoy myself.
I've read a few other reviews, and I agree with the complaint that the overhead view was rather awkward and I would've prefered something more straight on. Someone else mentioned that this is more of a guy's game, and I have to disagree. Well, perhaps he's right and I'm just in the minority. As a female, I found myself with a bit of a crush on the Bard by the end. Of course, Cary Elwes's voice acting may have contributed to this fact, and my inexplicable, unrequited desire to hear the Bard yell, "To the pain!" just one time. Oh well.
I was very sad to have completed this so quickly. I really wanted more. I want more of this game. I want more games like this one.
