So what's this new game in a nutshell? It's a hack 'n' slash RPG, that is, the normal elements of a full role playing game with complexity sacrificed for fast paced combat. On top of this basic model is set the customary epic storyline and a lush, detailed environment (in this case the Orkney Isles of Scotland). The player is the bard, a loner vagabond who revels in answering to no-one and pursuing his lusts and desires. Throughout the game the expression of the bard's character comes through in his expertly acted voice work (by Cary Elwes of Men in Tights and Princess Bride), slang and arguments with the narrator. In most conversations you are given two options for responses if given any choice at all: snarky and nice. The first is far more sarcastic and cynical than the second, though neither reply typically smells like roses, and usually has little bearing on the way the plot progresses though prudent choices can lead to complications and benefits down the road.

In regard to the plot and storyline, the effort that Brian Fargo generally brings to his games shows here well. While it does take a while to truly get into, the tale of the bard is a long and intricate one, the basic plot fleshed out by the narrator's and the bard's constant bickering and repartee. Without giving any spoilers, basically the bard has to save a princess, although it takes a while before he becomes aware of this and even longer before he accepts it. A slew of chosen ones have gone before him and all have failed so now all that's left is the bard, his sarcastic wit and rusty sword having to serve in the place of divine destiny. Various misfits and 'wise old men' continuously endeavour to draw him away from buxom chests and cheap wine so he can focus on this task, and so the game progresses towards the goal in stuttering leaps and jumps as the bard attempts to find the silver (and gold) lining behind the constant challenges thrown his way.

The gameplay is pretty stock standard of console action RPGs, with player skill being drawn into precise timing between hack, slash and block. A variety of weapons can be found or bought, with ranged skills being important and two-handed weapons optional. Apart from this a lot of the bard's technique in combat comes from the variety of creatures and minions he can summon with his lute. You start with a rat, and get an electrical spider during the tutorial ("press the what button? You're as bad as a fellow I used to know who kept going on about mice I couldn't see."), but soon the bard gets access to crossbow-wielding and armour-plated minions, as well as fire elementals and others of such ilk. There are no healing potions in the game, so instead the bard can summon the spirit of the princess, which provides rejuvennation at the cost of 'Adder' stones. To an extent combat degenerates to attack, block, retreat, heal, summon, attack and with respawning monsters too, some this can be tedious.

The Bard's Tale uses the Snowblind game engine, the same used for BG: DAII and PS2's Champions of Norrath. While nothing new, it represents InXile's desire to simply get along with the game design rather than focus on the pretty effects, and this engine more than proves sufficient to flesh out the plot. Area artwork is beautiful and well displayed when viewed by the games isometric top-down perspective and character animations are superb. Some effort has been made to sync up the bard's movements with his words, to the point where the player character just radiates nonchalance and arrogance. As regards to glitzy special effects there are few, a lot less than is the norm these days. Whether this is welcomed by players or not it nevertheless shows a change of focus in this game's design, a welcome direction that hopefully other developers will follow.

The Bard's Tale doesn't have all the RPG elements of a game like Fable but it compensates with humour and sarcastic wit not often seen in games today. Those looking for something new in gameplay, however, should understand that in that department Bard's Tale is nothing special. But overall this game is worth the price.