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The Bard's Tale

The Bard's Tale Game Cover
90%Game Brain Score
humor, story
stability, grinding
91% User Score Based on 9,220 reviews
Critic Score 82%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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The Bard's Tale Game Cover

About

The Bard's Tale is a single player role playing game with fantasy and comedy themes. It was developed by inXile Entertainment and was released on October 26, 2004. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

The Bard's Tale is a 3D action-adventure game with a single controllable character, the Bard, who uses magic and weaponry. The game features an overhead view and improvement of skills through accomplishments, similar to the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance series. There are no character classes or inventory management in this game, which differentiates it from classic Bard's Tale games.

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The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
The Bard's Tale screenshot
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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,220 reviews
humor1.6k positive mentions
stability104 negative mentions
  • Hilarious writing and voice acting that keeps players entertained throughout the game.
  • Great graphics and smooth gameplay, making it a fun experience on mobile devices.
  • Offers a full RPG experience with engaging storylines and character development.
  • Frequent save file corruption issues that can lead to lost progress.
  • Controls can be awkward and unresponsive at times, especially on smaller screens.
  • Some bugs in the game, such as NPCs freezing and cutscenes not progressing.
  • humor
    1,639 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in this game is widely praised, with many players highlighting its clever dialogue, witty banter, and entertaining voice acting that keeps them laughing throughout the gameplay. While some reviews note that the humor can be crude or juvenile, the overall consensus is that it adds a delightful charm to the RPG experience, making it engaging and enjoyable. Players appreciate the mix of sarcasm and lightheartedness, which enhances the game's narrative and character interactions.

    • “The fully voiced dialogue is hilarious and clever.”
    • “From the start till the end it never managed to make me stop laughing from all its witty humor!!!”
    • “The writing is fantastic, the story ridiculous, and the characters hilarious.”
    • “This game is not funny at all.”
    • “Only downfalls are the singing orcs, far too much effort for an unfunny, cringeworthy cheesefest song.”
    • “It just isn't good, it is hard to control, the view is bad, and it's not funny.”
  • story
    665 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is widely praised for its humor, engaging dialogue, and entertaining plot, often described as a comedic take on traditional RPG tropes. Players appreciate the witty narration and character interactions, which enhance the overall experience, although some have reported issues with cutscenes and bugs that disrupt the storytelling. Overall, the narrative is seen as a standout feature, making the game enjoyable and memorable for fans of the genre.

    • “The story is hilarious and voice acting top notch, as well as the gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The story is fantastic and hilarious.”
    • “The writing is fantastic, the story ridiculous, and the characters hilarious.”
    • “Some in-game videos get stuck, and you have to press the skip button, ending up losing a piece of the story.”
    • “I gave this a lower rating initially because I encountered several game-stopping bugs, storyline videos that wouldn't play, and worst of all, the autosave 'feature' which bugged out and reverted to a 3-day previous save state it had somehow 'recovered' and overwritten my current one.”
    • “The storyline and dialogue will put you to sleep.”
  • graphics
    590 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many users praising their quality and detail, especially for a mobile title. While some noted that the visuals may appear dated compared to modern standards, others highlighted the impressive performance on high-end devices and the option for HD graphics. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a strong point, contributing to an engaging and visually appealing experience.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the humor and sarcasm are delightful, and gameplay is wicked-sweet.”
    • “Great graphics, smooth gameplay, hilarious hero vs. narrator banter, huge world to explore, and all dialog is voiced.”
    • “Amazing graphics, entertaining voice acting, and a great mixture of action and comedy.”
    • “Graphically, things have moved on too, and I would say this looks pretty poor these days.”
    • “Strange thing is, with all graphics settings on, my top-of-the-range Samsung S22 Ultra felt sluggish - so not very well optimized.”
    • “The graphics are advanced 3D animations, but they slowed down the gameplay.”
  • gameplay
    408 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is generally praised for its accessibility, humor, and engaging mechanics, reminiscent of classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate and Diablo. While many players appreciate the depth and replayability, some note issues with controls, bugs, and repetitive elements that can detract from the experience. Overall, the combination of entertaining dialogue, solid gameplay, and appealing graphics makes it a worthwhile choice for RPG fans, despite some technical shortcomings.

    • “Very simple RPG mechanics but lots of depth underneath the 'simple' surface.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and the jokes are hilarious.”
    • “Great gameplay, great graphics, not so great touchscreen controls.”
    • “The main event here is damned awful with poor controls, terrible 'comedy', and a boring, confusing gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and dull.”
    • “Gameplay leaves a lot to be desired.”
  • stability
    163 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches and freezes that hinder gameplay, particularly during critical moments or battles. While some users experienced smooth performance on specific devices, others faced significant issues, including corrupted save files and unresponsive controls. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern, affecting the enjoyment and progression for a substantial number of players.

    • “Its a very fun game took me back to when it was on the PS2 and I played as a kid. Good port to the phone; I gave it 5 stars because there are no glitches, exactly like the old game and still has all the fun.”
    • “Very funny, game engine is smooth and so far bug-free; it also consumes little battery!”
    • “No glitches as of yet and no freezes.”
    • “The amount of glitches makes this game not worth it.”
    • “Don't get me wrong; it would be a fun game if the glitches didn't keep me from progressing.”
    • “The game freezes frequently, usually in areas with traps.”
  • music
    105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and humorous songs, particularly the memorable "beer song" that many players find themselves singing long after playing. The combination of witty dialogue and entertaining musical numbers enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature that adds to the game's charm and replayability. Despite some technical issues reported by a few users, the soundtrack and voice acting are generally considered top-notch, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The songs are entertaining, the dialogue humorous, and the controls are decent.”
    • “It's hilarious and the songs in the game are really catchy.”
    • “The music, story, action, narration, and sarcastic wit make this game a must play for any avid RPG gamer.”
    • “Sounds and music in the game still aren't working, reinstalling still doesn't work!”
    • “There is no background music track whatsoever.”
    • “No one's gonna care, but lyrics and songs aren't in sync in the HD pack :( controls could be better.”
  • monetization
    80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the absence of intrusive ads and the optional nature of in-app purchases, which are seen as reasonable and non-essential for gameplay. While some users express frustration over the presence of in-app purchases in a paid game, most agree that they do not detract from the overall experience and can enhance it for those willing to spend a little extra. Overall, the game is praised for allowing players to enjoy it fully without feeling pressured to make additional purchases.

    • “Microtransactions are 100% optional and the game can be completed without them, although paying 99 cents to permanently double your gold will speed things up if you like to always have the best gear.”
    • “Combat is fun and in-app purchases are completely optional and not needed to enjoy.”
    • “No ads, no pay to play, no pay to progress faster, just good honest great gaming.”
    • “I purchased the game but there's in-app purchases... shouldn't be the case for paid games.”
    • “Disappointed that in-game purchases are again, in a premium title I pay upfront for.”
    • “There should be an Android Play Store rule to use in-game purchases or pay upfront for the software, not both; it's just greedy and spoils any challenge the game could throw at me.”
  • optimization
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some users reporting smooth performance and good graphics on high-end devices, while others experience significant lag, crashes, and graphical issues even on lower settings. Many players appreciate the ability to tweak performance options, but performance inconsistencies across different devices, particularly older models, have led to frustration. Overall, while some find it well-optimized, others suggest it may not run smoothly for everyone, especially on lower-end smartphones.

    • “I own this game on PS2, PC, and mobile platforms, and it has treated me well on every one. The mobile version is very well optimized and ported extremely well.”
    • “Fantastic port and great performance.”
    • “Runs smoothly with maximum settings and HD assets on my Galaxy S3.”
    • “Had quite a few performance bugs and graphical issues like tearing and such which affected gameplay quite a bit.”
    • “Crashes occur even after I have dialed back on the performance options.”
    • “Got to bear cave and it crashes every time...even with the performance settings all down.... on my S3 ...no reply from developers.”
  • replayability
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is praised for its strong replayability, with many players highlighting the engaging storytelling, diverse gameplay options, and character development that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some reviews note limited replay value due to a lack of customization or character classes, the majority agree that the humor and varied outcomes provide enough incentive for players to return. Overall, it offers a satisfying experience that justifies its replay potential.

    • “Hilarious storytelling, fun gameplay, long run with replayability.”
    • “But with multiple weapon choices as well as summons to choose from and plenty of skills, a bard's tale offers plenty of replay value.”
    • “Great story and gameplay, also the amusing dialogue and your character choices makes it have pretty good replay value.”
    • “My only qualm is that it has near-zero replay value since there isn't any real customization of your character nor multiple classes of character to choose from, which I would typically expect out of an RPG.”
    • “Doesn't have much replay value.”
    • “Not sure how much replay value there will be, but the first time through was definitely worth the price of admission!”
  • grinding
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with some players enjoying the challenge it presents, especially on harder modes, while others find it excessively tedious and detrimental to the overall experience. Many appreciate the humor and character customization, but note that repetitive tasks and slow mechanics can lead to frustration and a lack of motivation to continue. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, offering both engagement and tedium.

    • “The game features stunning graphics, entertaining and hilarious NPCs, and a plethora of cutscenes that are truly worth watching. The challenging mobs and engaging quests make grinding feel rewarding, while character progression and helpful pets enhance the experience. Plus, there's no hassle with inventory management, and the character customization options are fantastic. This is a must-have for any RPG fan on Android!”
    • “Grinding in this game is not tedious at all; instead, it feels like a rewarding journey. The combination of challenging enemies and meaningful quests keeps you engaged, making every moment spent leveling up enjoyable.”
    • “I love how the grinding aspect is balanced with fun and engaging content. The character progression feels significant, and the variety of quests ensures that I never feel bored while working towards my goals.”
    • “It's too grindy of a game to have such a broken feature.”
    • “Fun game that I'll never finish... the grinding ruined it for me.”
    • “Combat and character development is fun at first but gets a bit tedious over time.”
  • character development
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is praised for its creativity and humor, offering players various playstyles and builds that enhance the RPG experience. While some reviews note that the character development can feel one-dimensional, it is often seen as intentional, contributing to the overall charm of the narrative. Despite some criticisms regarding the repetitiveness of combat and character progression, the engaging storyline and diverse character options provide significant replay value.

    • “Interesting complex storyline paired with great character development.”
    • “Love the RPG character development.”
    • “If you like Diablo, play this - the combat is maybe a little less nuanced, but the plot and character development is far more interesting and involved.”
    • “The character development was one-dimensional but intentionally so, making the bard an anti-hero I couldn't help laughing at as much as with.”
    • “Microtransactions can be used to speed up character development but are entirely unneeded.”
    • “This adds irritation and frustration to a game supported on phones where situations with other applications/calls/etc arise.”
  • atmosphere
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its humor, engaging dialogue, and unique characters, creating an enjoyable and immersive experience. While some users feel that the original game's atmosphere was not fully captured in the Android port, many appreciate the vibrant and action-packed environment that allows for exploration and interaction. Overall, the combination of witty writing and a lively setting contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “Love the atmosphere in the game, lots of action, great story, everyone is unique, it's funny, adult humor, my kind of game.”
    • “You've got a nice atmosphere to move around at your own pace, and even listen to some drunkards sing a song!”
    • “The atmosphere, humorous dialogue, and well-written characters make this game.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game emotionally impactful, with some expressing nostalgia and deep sadness over tragic events, such as a character's death. The overall sentiment highlights the game's wholesome nature, making it a standout experience on Android. However, technical issues with controls have been noted, which may detract from the emotional immersion.

    • “Made me feel 30 again.”
    • “Bod's death was so tragic I cried for days (not really).”
    • “Very wholesome RPG game and the best game I have played on Android.”
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82%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
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13h Median play time
24h Average play time
14h Main story
28h Completionist
9-20h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 23 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

The Bard's Tale is a role playing game with fantasy and comedy themes.

The Bard's Tale is available on iPhone, PC, Mac OS, Phone and others.

The main story can be completed in around 14 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 28 hours to finish. On average players spend around 24 hours playing The Bard's Tale.

The Bard's Tale was released on October 26, 2004.

The Bard's Tale was developed by inXile Entertainment.

The Bard's Tale has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its humor but disliked it for its stability.

The Bard's Tale is a single player game.