The Bard's Tale

InXile Entertainment has brought the classic 80's computer RPG to the Nintendo with the new version of THE BARD'S TALE. In this hack-and-slash RPG, players take on the role of the sarcastic Bard as he gets sucked into a quest to save the princess. Don't expect this to play out like the normal RPG, though; THE BARD'S TALE spends as much time making fun of the genre as it does following a serious storyline. The title character is no classic fantasy hero. He's sarcastic, snide, and doesn't want anything to do with quests or saving princesses. He just wants to con his way into a free meal. Unfortunately for him, his latest con backfires, and the next thing he knows, he's off to save Princess Caleigh using only his muscles, his musical talents, and his sharp sense of humor. In addition to his weapons, the Bard has the ability to summon allies to assist him in battle. At the beginning, he can summon only one of his 18 different allies, but as he gains experience, he will be able to summon more servants to assist him. Each ally has different abilities, such as range attacks, magic, and healing skills, and some are needed to help the Bard progress through certain levels. While the in-jokes and references may only be fit for RPG fans, gamers of all types will appreciate the Bard's sarcasm and unwillingness to play the stereotypical hero. THE BARD'S TALE is entertaining, challenging, and, above all, humorous.