The Bard's Tale Trilogy

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 873 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
The Bard's Tale Trilogy Game Cover
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"The Bard's Tale Trilogy" is a collection of three updated and enhanced versions of the classic RPGs. Explore the world of Skara Brae as the Bard, using your wit, music, and weapons to overcome challenges. This trilogy combines humor, puzzle-solving, and tactical combat in a beautifully remastered package for modern systems.

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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 873 reviews
graphics35 positive mentions
grinding57 negative mentions
  • Faithful remake of the classic trilogy with modern graphics and quality of life improvements.
  • The automap feature and ability to save anywhere enhance the gameplay experience significantly.
  • Nostalgic for players who enjoyed the original games, providing a trip down memory lane.
  • The game can feel grindy and repetitive, especially with random encounters and leveling.
  • Some players may find the lack of a detailed storyline and guidance frustrating.
  • Only the first game is currently available, with the other two promised for future release.
  • graphics161 mentions

    The graphics in the remastered version of "The Bard's Tale Trilogy" have been significantly improved, offering a modern aesthetic while retaining the nostalgic charm of the originals. Players appreciate the enhanced visuals, smoother interfaces, and quality-of-life features like auto-mapping, which make the gameplay more accessible without sacrificing the classic feel. While some long for the option to toggle between original and updated graphics, the overall consensus is that the remaster successfully breathes new life into a beloved classic.

    • “One of the greatest CRPGs of all time, this remastered version of the Bard's Tale classic enhances the graphics to a more modern fidelity and adds a few quality of life features — like the journal and built-in manual — that let you focus more on the adventuring and less on the note-taking/charting.”
    • “The graphics are nicely updated to be easy on the eyes while still retaining the old-fashioned charm.”
    • “The graphical upgrade and modern additions (mini-map, drag and drop mouse control, high-def music and sound, free look and animated movement) just makes it that much more enjoyable.”
    • “Heck, barely any graphics.”
    • “The only thing I don't like is that the monster graphics aren't as nice as the ones I remember on the Commodore 64.”
    • “Without the soft glow of nostalgia hanging over everything, you're likely to find the combat boring, the visuals uninteresting and the navigation confusing.”
  • gameplay95 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Bard's Tale Trilogy" is a nostalgic homage to classic RPG mechanics, featuring exploration, character creation, and strategic combat that appeals to fans of the original games. While the remaster introduces quality-of-life improvements like automapping and enhanced graphics, some players find the core mechanics to be simplistic and repetitive by modern standards, leading to mixed feelings about its overall balance and engagement. Despite these critiques, the remaster retains the charm of the originals, making it a worthwhile experience for both veterans and newcomers, albeit with a recognition of its dated gameplay elements.

    • “The depth and complexity of the gameplay mechanics are a testament to the golden age of RPGs, offering intricate character creation, challenging puzzles, and strategic combat that harkens back to the era of exploration and discovery.”
    • “This remaster/remake remains very faithful to the gameplay style of the originals, but makes just enough modernization to make them pleasant to play even now.”
    • “The updated interface and gameplay elements breathe fresh air into the 80s experience, without ruining the old school D&D dungeon crawl fun.”
    • “Make no mistake, this gameplay is old and does not hold up in any way, shape, or form to modern standards.”
    • “Honestly, I simply could not adapt to some of the archaic mechanics, most especially the lack of mapping.”
    • “They didn't alter much of the gameplay, and so you'll find all of these little annoyances that generations of RPGs have since improved upon ten-fold.”
  • story58 mentions

    The story of the game is described as a blend of classic storytelling and adventure, with a legendary feel that immerses players in a rich fantasy world filled with memorable quests and characters. However, many reviews note that the narrative can be simplistic and linear, often requiring external guides to navigate its cryptic elements, which may detract from the experience for those seeking a more detailed plot. Overall, while the storyline has its charm and nostalgia, it may not satisfy players looking for depth and direction in their gameplay.

    • “The plot logically flowed from one location to the next, and you definitely felt your party growing much stronger as the adventure neared its conclusion.”
    • “The immersive world and engaging storyline of 'The Bard's Tale Trilogy' allow players to embark on a grand adventure filled with memorable quests, diverse characters, and a rich fantasy lore.”
    • “While it is a grinder, it still has a great story and now upgraded with better artwork.”
    • “Very little hand holding regarding story and where to go at what time, so expect to get lost.”
    • “The grind is brutal, with very little story, a lack of NPCs or dialogue, fiendish traps, and awkward, repetitive keyboard controls.”
    • “The plot is pretty much non-existent.”
  • grinding57 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as tedious and repetitive, reminiscent of classic RPGs from the 80s. While some appreciate the nostalgia and find enjoyment in the grind, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, especially with the game's difficulty and maze-like dungeons. However, quality-of-life improvements in the remastered versions have made the grinding less burdensome for some players, allowing for a more enjoyable experience overall.

    • “Everything in the game is super tedious.”
    • “It is still a tedious and boring experience.”
    • “The games are very grindy which might not be very appealing by today's standards but I enjoyed the memories while playing and still found the gameplay quite addictive.”
  • music48 mentions

    The music in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the nostalgic 8-bit tunes and the way the bard's instrument affects the soundtrack, while others find the limited variety and repetitive looping of songs frustrating. Although the bard's songs can enhance gameplay and add a unique touch, the lack of a convenient system for selecting them during combat can be cumbersome. Overall, while the music contributes to the game's atmosphere, many players feel it could benefit from more variety and improved execution.

    • “The bard's tale trilogy magical/medieval/fantastic atmosphere is nice, and it's cool to set the music of the game according to the instrument the bard carries and the effect of the song you desire.”
    • “The soundtrack of the game is related to the gameplay; it depends on what song your bard is playing and what instrument is being used at the moment.”
    • “Giving the player control of the soundtrack is a neat feature, and I liked it a lot.”
    • “There isn’t much to look forward to, with few spells and songs to buy/find.”
    • “The worst part is that you’ll need to rely on bard songs for damage, but unlike spells, there is no convenient 'recently used' category to make casting/singing easier.”
    • “However, I was disappointed that multiple bards can’t form a band; instead, only one song will be played with one instrument.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The atmosphere of "The Bard's Tale Trilogy" is highly praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, effectively blending classic elements with modern enhancements. Reviewers note that the game successfully captures the magical, medieval ambiance of the originals while introducing improved graphics and sound effects that enrich the experience. Overall, it maintains a strong sense of authenticity, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers.

    • “The Bard's Tale Trilogy evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, faithfully recreating the classic gameplay, graphics, and atmosphere of the original games, providing a genuine retro experience for fans and newcomers alike.”
    • “A remake of the original Bard's Tale Trilogy, managing to keep the atmosphere of the original while bringing it into a modern world.”
    • “The developers did a fantastic job of capturing the atmosphere and story of one of the most iconic computer games of all time.”
    • “A lot of the quality of life changes in the non-legacy versions do simplify the game for sure, but they don't affect the atmosphere.”
    • “The Bard's Tale Trilogy has the same atmosphere as the originals from the 80s.”
    • “This is a great reissue, with just the right amount of quality of life improvements to cure some of the bad aspects of the old days, without ruining the nostalgic atmosphere.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is enhanced by significant visual and quality of life improvements, such as the ability to save anywhere and an easier inventory system, making it more enjoyable than many modern SRPGs. However, while these updates increase playability, some players feel that the game lacks substantial replay value beyond an initial run, with many suggesting it may only be revisited after a long hiatus. The introduction of new features and modes does offer potential for extended replayability, but the experience may not be as engaging on subsequent playthroughs.

    • “The visual and quality of life improvements are exceptional and well-thought-out, maintaining the spirit of the original games while making them infinitely more playable.”
    • “New features like saving your game anywhere and an easier inventory system make it more playable.”
    • “The options offered and coming in legacy mode look to extend replayability.”
    • “I would not say it has much replay value beyond a run through.”
    • “Replayability: something that you will finish then take a couple of years before playing it again.”
    • “Re-runs did not have the same replayability because of this.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as charming and nostalgic, with a blend of hilarious graphics and clever nods to early tabletop RPGs. Players appreciate the lightheartedness and wit, particularly in character portrayals and the juxtaposition of past and present gaming styles. Overall, the game successfully balances nostalgia with genuine comedic moments.

    • “Graphics are nice and the portraits are actually kind of hilarious and charming.”
    • “The game is also genuinely funny at times, with a clear wink to early tabletop dungeon crawling of the 70's and 80's.”
    • “It's also funny that the Commodore 64 seems to have lived on.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while upgraded graphics and quality-of-life improvements enhance efficiency and enjoyment, some players report significant issues with bugs, poor controls, and overall optimization on older systems.

    • “The game is much more enjoyable with the upgraded graphics, and with optional UI optimizations such as auto-mapping, a bestiary log, pooled gold, and inventory, it's much more efficient to play, without sacrificing any of the charm or fun of the original.”
    • “It runs smoothly on a newer system, and the quality of life improvements reduce the need to have a notebook and graph paper at your side the whole time you are playing.”
    • “The game is poorly made and badly optimized, with frustrating controls and numerous game-breaking bugs.”
    • “Optimization is a major issue; the game runs poorly and is riddled with glitches.”
    • “The lack of optimization leads to frequent crashes and a subpar gaming experience.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report mixed experiences regarding stability; while some have encountered issues such as unexpected reboots during gameplay, others praise the game for being largely bug-free compared to other recent ports.

    • “I have had multiple problems with my computer rebooting during the game, so it seems quite buggy.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express that the game evokes a sense of nostalgia, making them feel youthful and connected to their interests, such as map-making. Despite its dated graphics, the wholesome gameplay resonates emotionally, particularly for those who experienced it in the past, suggesting that it can still be enjoyable for new players willing to embrace its charm.

    • “This game has made me feel young again and reignited my passion for map making.”
    • “For younger players, this was a blast in the eighties. Give it a try; you might even enjoy it! The graphics aren't what you're used to, but it's wholesome, pure gameplay with plenty to offer if you give it a chance.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is noted to stagnate after a certain point, leading to a lack of progression and depth in the characters as the game progresses.

    • “Character development hits a wall after a while.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth throughout the game.”
    • “I was hoping for more depth in the character arcs, but they remain stagnant and predictable.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of Bard's Tale Trilogy is positively received, as players appreciate its lack of intrusive elements like loot boxes, microtransactions, and excessive DLC, contrasting it with modern gaming trends that often feel controlling and patronizing.

    • “If you feel the way I do about modern-day gaming - not being in control; a lot of hand-holding; tutorial after tutorial; today's games talk down to me; too many automatic cutscenes; enemies and loot scale to my level; publishers rushing developers; loot boxes, microtransactions, and pointless DLC - then I guarantee you are going to love Bard's Tale Trilogy.”
    • “The monetization in this game is overwhelming, with constant prompts to spend money on items that should be earnable through gameplay.”
    • “I can't believe how many microtransactions are crammed into this game. It feels like every corner I turn, there's a push to spend more money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

129hMedian play time
113hAverage play time
80-145hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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