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The Bard's Tale PC
Metascore
70 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
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  1. Computer Games Online RO
    84
    If you're looking for a complex RPG, with lots of items, weapons, skills and intricate dialog options, you're looking in the wrong place. But if you a want a simple game, which will surely steal a smile or two of your face, then The Bard's Tale might be just what you're looking for.
  2. PC Gamer
    81
    Has nothing in common with the original series, but it's a solid action/RPG. [Sept 2005, p.81]
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  3. CPUGamer
    80
    The wit present in this game is second to none and I honestly think this is what would have happened had Mel Brooks gotten into game making.
  4. Computer Gaming World
    80
    Above all, the writing and voice acting are far superior to most other videogames'. [Oct 2005, p.76]
  5. Worth Playing
    79
    Overall, The Bard's Tale is wonderful. Although it does lack in a few areas, the game's memorable characters and terrific sense of humor more than make up for any of these weaknesses.
  6. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    70
    Yes, it's funny, and it does crack a few good observations about the genre. However, by making the same mistakes that the games it's laughing at make, it shoots itself in the foot a bit.
  7. Computer Games Magazine
    70
    Ultimately, incisive humor and caustic personality win out over dicey combat and console-itis. [Oct 2005, p.66]
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  8. Computer and Video Games
    68
    While The Bard's Tale is told amusingly enough, the disappointing combat fails to lift it from the upper end of mediocrity.
  9. GameSpot
    67
    If you're not looking for an unofficial sequel to "Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail," and you can see past a few problems, you'll find that The Bard's Tale is a decent enough action RPG.
  10. Cheat Code Central
    60
    A relatively short RPG that could be conceivably finished in a weekend unless you want to play those moldy, oldie, 80s classic games that come with it - the same games you wouldn't play if you got them for free with a printer at Staples.
  11. PC Format
    45
    A victim of its own sneers, this is the world's first self-parodying game. [July 2005, p.90]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 4 out of 12
  1. DonnieBrasco
    4
    Awesome, hilarious absurd humor a'la Monty Python paired with subpar graphics, no RPG elements and "dumbed-down-to-ground" playflow make this a very mixed game. With a nice skills/char development and much more depth concerning gameplay this could have been a classic. Does the name "Anachronox" ring a bell? Not far....… Full Review »
  2. Imachuemanch
    7
    It's a one shot game. You launch it, you laugh, you delete it. Doesn't mean it's bad. It was meant to be like that and God, it did it well. Humour makes this game what it is.… Full Review »
  3. MitchellS.
    1
    This thing sucks. Barely worthy of the name Bards Tale. Sorry I paid full price for it. It's a cheap, shoddy effort to cash in on the name by the original creator, who must have had a bad run of business luck or something, and got desperate. And it shows. The graphics are circa 1999. They're SERIOUSLY BAD, and if you told most gamers this came out in 2004/5 and they'd not heard about it prior, they would have no reason to believe you. Gameplay is basically non-existent; I'm tempted to say this game isn't even finished, and that they decided to throw in the towel and release it at the "walk-through demo" state, which is pretty much what it is. That said, some of the content is damn funny. So it gets a one, not z ero. It just isn't worth $40. Or even $20.… Full Review »
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