To be honest, I have already played The Bard’s Tale on my old PC and I loved it so much, I was super excited to see it come out for the iOS. I downloaded the app and played the adventure once again and am not disappointed. This is the review of The Bard’s Tale.
Unlikely Hero – The Bard
The Bard’s Tale ($5.99 via iTunes) is an action RPG game that tells the story of a womanizing, sharp-tongued, jerk with no morals at all. He is pushed into a series of quests to save the Princess Caleigh and the promise of unlimited coin and cleavage. The Bard’s crude remarks, along with the narrator’s despise for the Bard add an immeasurable amount of fun, laugh and charm into the game. I have to admit that the voice actors are pretty good.
Parody That Indulges on What It Mocks
Summons: Thundery
While The Bard’s tale mocks traditional RPGs, it does make use of its elements, too. You will find out that the bard uses swords and shields and bows. There is also a leveling system where you are given a finite number of points every level up. These points are used to raise any of the Bard’s attributes to increase attack, health or luck, to mention some. If you are unwilling to grind for the experience there is an IAP that can help you get points, but it is entirely not necessary.
The Bard’s Tale also gives players traditional RPG quests like fetch this, go here, find this and are played in a top view third person perspective. While I cannot say this is a bad thing, it is not completely original either. However, all quests are twisted in a funny way, you would not mind.
The whole game can last up to 30 hours of gameplay, not including secret locations. Now that is content.
Summoning Magic! Or Song.
One feature that separates The Bard’s Tale from the rest of RPG’s is the addition of summoning various allies through music. The bard can call different characters with different abilities to his side to aid and support him in battles. My favorites are the Crone who heals the Bard and other summons, the Rogue who is an expert melee fighter and the Brute that throws large boulders. Those are just three, but you have 16 to choose from.
Music Videos
Another fun element of the game is the music videos. These are not the traditional Final Fantasy – esque music videos, but rather songs with funny, sarcastic, sometimes mean lyrics. I love how the Trow Trio sing “Bad Luck to be You” many times, changing the lyrics each time they appear.
All in the day's work, Betty Boopie
Let’s Get Technical — The Controls
I am however, not a great fan of the controls for the iOS. Because the touch-based control is very out of whack, the better option is the d-pad controls but still, I had a really hard time attuning myself to it. I hold the iPad like a PSP and I felt like the buttons are a little too close to each other. Many times, I am trying to attack and the bard defends.
To Wrap up
While the Bard’s Tale for the iOS has some hiccups, the awesome script and voice acting and the overall charm of the game more than makes up for it. The Bard’s Tale will truly capture the awe of many gamers, seasoned or not. 5/5.
The Bard’s Tale at a Glance:
Pros: Superb, humorous script and voice acting, tons of content to play, summoning system, music videos (!)
Cons: Gaming system is not entirely original, controls GUI need a little work
The Point: This is RPG and humor at it’s finest.
Price: $5.99 for a universal app for both iPhone and iPad
Download Link: The Bard’s Tale (Universal App)
