The Bard's Tale (2004 video game)
A sardonic anti-hero pursues coin and cleavage in a fantasy spoof.
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The game is a satirical take on fantasy role-playing conventions, featuring a self-centered anti-hero protagonist.[1][2]
Making and release
Acclaim Entertainment acquired European publication and distribution rights the following month.[3] The remastered version was released on June 18, 2020 for modern consoles.[1] The original game was published by THQ in some regions.[2] North American distribution rights for the title were obtained by Vivendi Universal Games in October 2003.[3]
InXile had to search for a different European publisher after Acclaim Entertainment went bankrupt in September 2004.[3]
What the cited sources add
The Sydney Morning Herald review noted the game lampoons every fantasy staple imaginable.[2] The same review stated that although the developers want to ridicule, the action remains conventional.[2][4] The game's battle experience improves qualities such as strength with melee weapons or dexterity with ranged missiles.[2] A magical lute lets the bard summon creatures to help fight his battles.[2]
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences gave The Bard's Tale nominations in two categories at the 8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: "Console Role-Playing Game of the Year" and "Outstanding Character Performance - Male" for Cary Elwes' vocal work.[5]
References
- Green, "The Bard's Tale ARPG: Remastered and Resnarkled Review - Review", Nintendo World Report, 7 July 2020. facts only, no text reused. nintendoworldreport.com
- Hill, "Uneven quality", The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 October 2004. facts only, no text reused. smh.com.au
- Wikipedia, "The Bard's Tale (2004 video game)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "The Bard's Tale North American Distribution Announcement", 17 October 2003; "Acclaim for the Bard's Tale in Europe"; "Acclaim warns of possible bankruptcy" (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "The Bard's Tale (2004 video game)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Hill, "Uneven quality", The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 October 2004 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "The Bard's Tale (2004 video game)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details The Bard's Tale", interactive.org (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article The Bard's Tale (2004 video game) (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: The Bard's Tale (2004 video game) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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