The Bard's Tale (2004 video game)

Infobox VG
title = The Bard's Tale


developer = InXile Entertainment
publisher = Vivendi Universal Games
designer = Brian Fargo, Matthew Findley
engine = "Champions of Norrath" engine
released = PlayStation 2, Xbox
vgrelease|NA=2004-10-26vgrelease|PAL=2005-03-24

Windows
vgrelease|PAL=2005-06-17vgrelease|NA=2005-06-27
genre = Action adventure
modes = Single player
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Teen
platforms = PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows
media =
requirements =
input =

"The Bard's Tale" is a computer action-adventure game created by InXile Entertainment, and released in 2004. Marketed as a humorous spoof on fantasy computer role-playing games (of which the original "Bard's Tale" was given as a prime example), it has more in common with modern console games like "".

"The Bard's Tale" was released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in October 2004. It was released for Microsoft Windows on July 28 2005.

tory

The plot involves "a sardonic and opportunistic musician and adventurer, driven by carnal rather than noble pursuits. The Bard (who is never identified by a specific name) is not interested in saving the world, his humble motivations are strictly 'coin and cleavage.'" His quest is narrated by a mocking, biased man who cannot stand him (Narration is provided by Tony Jay.)

The Bard (voiced by Cary Elwes), ends up being recruited by a cult to help free a princess named Caleigh. As a result of this, the Bard finds himself being attacked by an assortment of fanatics from a Druid-like cult, sent to dispatch him by a being called Fionnaoch. (Many of the names and characters are influenced by Celtic mythology and the stories of the Orkney Islands.) On the way to complete his quest, the not so valiant anti-hero will have to overcome the truly terrifying challenges of three monstrous guardians, break-dancing corpses, spontaneously melodious goblins and a giant, fire-breathing rat.

Gameplay

Completely unlike the classic "Bard's Tale" games, this game is in a 3D environment with the player watching his single controllable character from an overhead vantage point, and it is better described as an action-adventure game than a traditional role-playing game (i.e. there are no character classes or inventory management).

The player's character, the Bard, has magic and weaponry at his disposal to complete the task. The more the player accomplishes, the better his skills will become. The appearance and gameplay is much the same as the "" series, which shares the same graphics engine.

The game uses a "snarky or nice" system of dialog that allows the player to change the outcome of many situations by deciding how they want to respond. Some choices, such as being snarky to the dog at the beginning of the game, have game-lasting consequences. For example, near the beginning of the game you can find a dog. If you are nice to the dog he follows you for the rest of the game and gives you a few other skill options such as training it to fight. Also, you meet a farmer later in the game in order to obtain a certain quest item. He'll only give you the item, however, if you choose to be "snarky" to him. Normally "nice" answers could get you better results (with the exception of some cases like the former one). "Snarky" answers, however, are often more comical and entertaining for the player.

The game also contains several song numbers, including:
* Beer, Beer, Beer - sung by drunks in The Drunken Rat
* Nuckelavee - sung by a band in The Aiken Drum, lamenting the unleashing of the Nuckelavee (which, unbeknownst to the band, was set loose by The Bard)
* It's Bad Luck to Be You - a recurring song by the Trow Trio, with differing lyrics each time it's sung

Characters

The Bard

The otherwise nameless protagonist of the game, The Bard is a selfish rogue who will only undertake a quest if there is a likely profit in it for himself.

ummonable Allies

* Brute
* Enchantress
* Knight
* Mercenary
* Rogue
* Crone
* Heroine
* Knocker
* Light Fairy
* Trap Finder
* Bodyguard
* Behemoth
* Elemental
* Health Stealer
* Rat
* Thunder Spider

The Narrator

The ever-present commentator of the game, The Narrator provides sarcastic observations throughout the game, mostly about The Bard's self-interested character.

Caleigh

A beautiful, rich princess who is being held captive by Fionnaoch who is ultimately revealed to be an evil demonic being.

Fionnaoch

A mysterious figure who commands great warriors and is holding Caleigh captive.

The Three Tower Bosses

Once defeated, the Tower Bosses become summonable allies.
* Herne
* Lugh
* Mannanan

Fictional Creatures

Kunal Trow

Large, goblin-like creatures that attack on sight.

Peerie Trow

The smaller, less violent version of the Trow, these creatures are more likely to use cunning to achieve their ends.

Bugbear

The Bugbear is a creature that's been preying on the people of Houton. When defeated, it is revealed that he is actually an old farmer in disguise.

Zombies

Undead humans, cows, and chickens unleashed by Caleigh.

Finfolk

An aquatic creature that has fins, claws, sharp teeth, and tentacles.

Firbolg

Firbolgs are large, gentle creatures who are natural miners.

Parody of Fantasy Games

There are many references and parodies to common clichés of the fantasy RPG genre. These include:

* In the opening video, a freshly slain wolf drops a pile of treasure, parodying a common videogame cliché of wild animals inexplicibly having money and items. In the game, a dead wolf may drop a red hood or picnic basket.

* Early in the game, fun is also poked at the common looting of homes in RPG games. When the Bard takes said treasure, the Narrator accuses him of stealing. The Bard's defense is that he's protecting the treasures by taking them for safekeeping while a less scrupulous adventurer would take them outright.

* The player can have the Bard smash a barrel early in the game, which prompts the barrel-maker to come out and chastise him for smashing his barrels. He does offer a deal: smash all other barrels the Bard sees so that the barrel-maker can sell more barrels. This parodies the smashing of barrels, crates, containers that is common in most videogames.

Connection to 1985 Series

Although touted in early promotional materials as a remake of the classic "Bard's Tale" series, InXile Entertainment never had any rights to the trademarks of the original "Bard's Tale" — those rights are still owned by Electronic Arts. This meant that InXile was not legally allowed to use any of the plot, characters or locations featured in the original trilogy. However, allusions to the original Bard's Tale do exist in the game. In a snarky remark made by the Bard to an NPC he mentions having had his fill of epic quests, he mentions "cities locked in eternal winter", which is a reference to the plot of the original "Bard's Tale" game. Additionally, some of the game's dungeons feature "magic mouths;" disembodied mouths set into the dungeon walls which dispense clues, which were found throughout the original games. Finally, the PC port of "The Bard's Tale" comes packaged with the original "Bard's Tale" trilogy as a salute.

External links

* [http://www.thebardstale.com/ Official InXile "Bard's Tale" website]
*moby game|id=/bards-tale|name="Bard's Tale"
*IGN: [http://ps2.ign.com/objects/606/606673.html "The Bard's Tale" (PS2)] [http://xbox.ign.com/objects/660/660946.html Xbox]
* [http://bardstale.poverellomedia.com/beyond.html The Bard's Tale Compendium]