80
Its self-concious metacomedy helps elevate what is already a solid game into a sing-songily fine game. [Jan 2005, p.98]
70
Ultimately, setting out to critique and parody so studiously such a hidebound genre has brought The Bard's Tale too close to what it was trying to distance itself from. This is a conventional, likeable dungeon crawl whose flashes of brilliance distract you from its accomplishments by hinting at how much more it could have been. [Christmas 2004, p.93]
60
But while dumbing down the RPG premise for the casual console gamer might work for some people, it ultimately fell down for us by making the main action portion of the game really quite tiresome.
The Bard's Tale
Xbox
Released On:
Oct 26, 2004
Metascore
Generally Favorable
75
User score
Mixed or Average
7.1
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
66% Positive
33 Reviews
33 Reviews
32% Mixed
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
2% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
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.
83
Though sub-par action and cheap deaths are endemic to the Bard's quest, this title made me feel like I was taking part in a real fantasy adventure teh way few others have over the years. [Dec 2004, p.167]
80
While the melee fighting is undoubtedly excellent the magic element is the combats greatest strength.
77
Like a really good comedy film, probably best suited as a rental.
72
Instead of following the tried-but-not-always-true formulas often found in fantasy RPGs, it manages to save itself by being nothing but irreverent and just a little bit rude.
68
Possibly a rentable game; only if you enjoy beer, dancing, and funny accents that is.
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.
User score
Mixed or Average
64% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
18% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
18% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
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SummaryOne 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 ... Read More
Rated Tfor Teen
Platforms:
- Xbox
- PC
- PlayStation 2
- iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Initial Release Date:Oct 26, 2004
Developer:
Publisher:
