The Bard's Tale for Android – Review

Our rating:

By: inXile entertainment

Version #: 1.1.2a

Date Released:

Developer:

Price: 5.95

User Rating:

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There are precious few definitive RPGs available for Android. For the most part, it seems that hack & slash games such as Dungeon Hunter can be liberally labelled as RPGs, but let’s face it, they just lack the character to be. The Bard’s Tale – while a largely hack & slash affair itself – definitely has character to speak of. It’s a pretty faithful port of the Playstation 2 game, which was known for its mad humour, tongue-in-cheek digs at the RPG genre, and its hapless eponymous hero, The Bard.

You control The Bard through his misadventures, as he goes on a quest to rescue the princess Caleigh. He doesn’t pretend to be motivated by anything more than ‘coins and cleavage,’ and even though you’re out to save the world, The Bard’s smart quips always defuse any urgency in the game.

The graphics in the game are some of the most pleasing you’ll see on Android. The environments are varied and lush, with atmospheric lighting being well utilised. The fact that the game zooms in for conversation sequences and cut-scenes immerses you that bit more than in other similar games, and wandering through the game’s locales is always a joy.

The gameplay works well too. Top-down-style games always work well on handheld devices (that’s why we want to see Baldur’s Gate Mobile!) and this is no exception. The controls consists mainly of attacking, timing blocks, and summoning creatures to your aid using a radial menu. Among the summonable creatures are a Thunder Spider, a Knight who can shield bash enemies, and a Behemoth, which blows enemies up.

There is a basic ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ response system to situations, that can have varying consequences. For instance, the tit-tastic barmaid at the start likes it when you’re treat her like shit, with the result being that she jumps into bed with you after your first quest. But talk mean to the dog at the start of the game, and you’ll find yourself unpleasantly surprised later on! This game doesn’t do things conventionally.

The Bard’s Tale is hands-down the best slashy-RPG offering on Android. Being a port of a console game with a bigger team working on it than your average mobile game, the story and characters feel very well-rounded. The gameplay may feel a little repetitive after a while, but the game’s overall presentation will compel you to keep on playing.

We rate this app 4.5 out of 5 stars.