Another game done, another game reviewed.
Title: The Bard’s Tale
Systems: PS2, Xbox
Genre: Hack ‘n Slash/Humor
Quickrating: 8.5/10
Description: A hack ‘n slash game that makes fun of itself.
Ok, quick question. How many times have you erupted in full laughter because of a game? I’m not talking about chuckling, such as the ones you get from Ratchet and Clank. I’m not talkin about sniggering because something is completely retarded with the game (Prince who yells at pots and baskets, I’m looking at you). And I’m not talking about hysterical laughter when there’s a power outage seconds before you beat the final boss or what-have-you. I’m talking about the kind of laughter you get from an episode of Family Guy, or the laughter Will Farrel induces. What? Can’t think of it? Surely there must be SOMEtime where you did. Don’t worry, no rush. I’ll wait. *goes to get myself a drink, proceeds to drink this drink, get another, repeat, and conquer half of the known world while you think* STILL nothing? My friends, I give you….The Bard’s Tale.
This is the funniest game I have ever played….nay, I have ever come in contact with in any form. I have friends who ask me for the latest Bard’s Tale joke o’ the day. People will watch you play the game because it’s like watching a comedy show, only cooler. You will sing, you will dance, and you will do everything you have always wanted to do in this type of game. You will summon a Light Fairy who has a gruff voice you’d expect to come from a 50 year-old man who hasn’t stopped smoking since that one night in ‘73 when he rolled onto his cigar. You will kill the people who send you on long, meaningless quests only to give you a measly reward. You will plead with bosses to cut the crap with the three-level towers and to just fight now. And your narrator will ever be there, making you laugh mainly because he can’t get enough of making fun of The Bard.
A big crux of the game is the Attitude System. There are tons of times in the game where you can choose to be snarky or nice, and the game proceeds differently depending on your choice. You may get a secret item here, a better weapon there, choice over one weapon, or there could be no effect on the game….besides making you laugh as The Bard belittles whoever he’s talking to. It’s really an inventive idea, and has you saving before conversations in case you want to see the other side of the script. (By the way, it’s not always advantageous to be nice all the time)
So you’ve heard how funny it is, but how is the actual game? Is it complete monotony inbetween fits of hysteria?
Continue reading ‘The Bard’s Tale’
