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The Return Of The Bard's Tale Confirmed

Thanks to GameSpy for their article officially revealing the return of classic RPG series The Bard's Tale, following recent rumors that a new title was in the works. However, screenshots of the title, from former Interplay boss Brian Fargo's new company, inXile Entertainment, reveal a radically different top-down view, as the game, due out at the end of 2004, "is being developed primarily for the PS2", and "is using an improved version of the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance engine." There are also noticeable similarities to the classic original series, as: "The plan calls for the game to start near the original town of Skara Brae, an ancient ruin in the Orkney Islands on the northern tip of Scotland." Update: 10/01 22:34 GMT by S : There's now an interview with Brian Fargo about the new Bard's Tale title, also courtesy GameSpy.

11 of 37 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Is this... by simoniker · · Score: 2, Informative

    Nope, that's a much more faithful re-imagining of the original Bard's Tale, but very unofficial. Looks like a good bet for those who liked the original gameplay style, though.

  2. Re:Skara Brae by casio282 · · Score: 3, Informative

    That's true, but it's also the city from the original Bard's Tale.

    Before anyone starts getting litigious, they should recall that there's prior art.

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    :wq
  3. The real sequel by Txurlo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    As much as I wet my pants when I saw this newspost, I can't really say I'm excited.
    The Bard's Tale series was absolutely HUGE for me, specially the third installment. I even made my own BTIV with the Bard's Tale Construction Set!
    Anyway, if you want a sequel which is more than spiritually linked to the originals, go for Devil Whiskey. It's still in demo, but also quite impressive!

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    Txurlo
  4. downloads by tiled_rainbows · · Score: 4, Informative

    The article should really have included This Link whence you can download the original trilogy and construction set for Windows.

    Not half as cool as I remember it. Expectations change, I guess.

  5. This is not the Bards Tale by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's an action RPG that they've slapped the Bards Tale name on.

  6. Humorous anti-heroes by secolactico · · Score: 2, Funny

    From the article

    "We are sick of cliches," he said. "We are tired of the standard sub-quests and missions. The idea of a 'chosen one' is stupid.

    and

    We want the game to be funny, but in a situational sort of way. We want to make fun of the cliches.

    For all those who feel the same, may I recomend: Sir Apropos of Nothing. It had me in stitches for a while.

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    No sig
  7. A dialogue... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Designer 1: We need a way to sell this crappy console action-RPG...

    Designer 2: How about stealing a beloved intellectual property from the golden age of gaming, and using it to shill what appears to be our version of Ultima XIII?

    Designer 1: Can we do that?

    Designer 2: Let's ask Brian Fargo.

    Designer 1: Hey Brian Fargo. Here is a large check. Our game sucks, can we call it a Bard's Tale.

    Brian Fargo: Wow! That's a lot of zeroes. Okay!

    Designer 1 & 2: Sweeeeet...

    1. Re:A dialogue... by WinnipegDragon · · Score: 4, Funny

      Damn! I forget to login and I finally get a post modded up to 5! I hardly ever post too... I am saddened...

  8. I'm getting sick of this by NetDanzr · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm getting sick of all these top-down view RPGs. There's way too many of them - Baldur's Gate with all its expansions, Icewind Dale, Temple of Elemental Evil, Diablo, Harbinger, Pool of Radiance and many others. On the other hand, those of us who prefer first-person roleplaying are limited to Morrowind and older titles like Wizardry and Might and Magic, and the promise of Devil's Whiskey. And now Fargo is taking yet another classic first-person RPG series and putting it into a 3rd person view, for the sake of console players. I'm not planing on buying this title.

  9. 99 Berserkers? by ckessel · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yea, but are they going to have a room where you open the door and are confronted with:

    99 Berserkers
    99 Berserkers
    99 Berserkers
    99 Berserkers

    Ah...that was my favorite door, experience up the wazoo.

  10. It's a shame. by Absurd+Being · · Score: 2

    I'll bet they won't have the four letter spell codes anymore then. Those rocked!

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    Karma: Excellent^(-t/Tau), Tau=Wittiness/Trollishness