In comparison, The Bard's Tale used early color 3D graphics, a straightforward gaming system, and a dry sense of wit to keep you engaged. Die-based RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons were still in vogue, and the emphasis on the computer side was in recreating that experience - usually with rudimentary visuals and extraordinarily steep learning curves. The landscape in those days was littered with dungeon crawlers. The titular bard character class is described as a former warrior with a penchant for ale, one who can create magic simply by playing songs. It has all the RPG tropes of its time: character classes like sorcerers, paladins, and rogues, with players choosing from races like humans, elves, and half-orcs to build their party. The goal? Taking down the evil archmage Mangar, and freeing the city in the process.

Set in the town of Skara Brae - cut off from the rest of the world by an evil spell - you guide your party of six adventurers through an assortment of different mazes and dungeons.

Originally released by Electronic Arts in 1985, The Bard's Tale is a first-person perspective role-playing game. Sorcerers, paladins, rogues and half-orcs Tales of the Unknown Volume 1: The Bard's Tale. I was about to be introduced to a new game, however one that would burn its way fiercely into my brain.įrank handed me a grey cardboard gatefold.

My gaming experience had been fairly limited up to that point - highlighted by Karateka, Oregon Trail, and some frustrated fumblings around the Zork trilogy (my love for all things Infocom wouldn't blossom for another year). A much-younger version of myself went over to my friend Frank's house to play games on his dad's Apple IIe. They offer glimpses of the future, glimpses of humanity, and a glimpse of our very souls. The Classics are must-see, must-read, must-play works revered by The Verge staff.

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