Bard's Tale... second thoughts...

Bungleau · 04-01-2006, 05:18 PM

Well, having played for a while now... it's getting monotonous. The game mainly consists of running around and shooting things with your bow, since if you do that, you can kill them while they stand there and take the hits. Get closer, and they actually fight back.

Unfortunately, the tiny manual that came with the game is less than helpful, and leaves out many minor things, such as the ability to play a "god-mode" tune. I finally came to a battle that took place close up, and couldn't eliminate things quickly enough with my bow.

Aside from combat, it is very linear, as others have mentioned. I much prefer the openness of an MM game, where you can go to places that will immediately get you killed... even though you shouldn't. Sometimes the reward is worth the risk.

Still a decent game, although I'm very likely to play the original BT games after I get through this one. Destiny Knight was my second CRPG, and I never finished... I think I had problems with my C64

Jelly Sculptress · 04-17-2006, 03:20 PM

hey bungleau,
thought maybe it was about time someone replied to this thread even if it 's just to ask a question! I was thinking of getting BT but it looked a bit sexist on the cover/blurb, having played it what do you think? I generally like to play a (fully clothed) woman.

When you say MM game do you mean Might and Magic? I LOVE those games. What's your favourite?
ciao

Bungleau · 04-17-2006, 05:45 PM

A bit sexist? I mean, the only character you have a choice of is a scruffy male with an overactive libido? And the real reason he's doing the quest is to try to get intimate with someone he's only seen as a magical illusion?

I mean, what's not to like?

It did have a bit too much of the testosterone overload syndrome. I might go back and play again, just because I missed a few side areas. But even if I don't, my life will go on quite happily [img]smile.gif[/img]

I did start replaying Bard's Tale II: Destiny Knight, which was included with TBT. Interestingly, the readme says that it's only included "for nostalgic purposes" and they make no claims as to whether it will run or not.. but so far, so good [img]smile.gif[/img] Level 2 of the first dungeon is enough to kill me, thank you very much...

And MM does indeed mean Might and Magic! I played MM1: Secret of the Inner Sanctum years ago on an Apple ][e, and it was my first CRPG. I've played almost every one since; I don't think I ever completed MM2 or MM3, although I have them. I recently replayed MM6, 7 and 8... I have to say that MM6 is one of my all-time favorites. Dragonsand, good and evil... great stuff [img]smile.gif[/img]

Which one is your fave? And have you heard about Dark Messiah of M&M? Supposed to be coming out from Ubisoft in the summer... Not a traditional MM game, but not an HOMM game either (they're also releasing Heroes 5).

Jelly Sculptress · 04-18-2006, 03:31 PM

Well maybe i'll give BT a miss then, there are enough testosterone-charged guys in the rpg world already frankly. [img]smile.gif[/img]

M&M 6 is my favourite (poss of all time) too (up close and personal with those dragons and titans and all that gorgeous treasure), with 7 a close second, 8 not bad at all and 9 a dire disappointment. I've never got hold of the first ones, do they still hold up I wonder? Maybe I'd need to find a ZX81 or C64 to play them on! What's Dark Messiah then? Is there anything out there in the ether where I can check it out? Am currently playing HOMM3, bit too strategy for my liking but fun and terribly addictive nevertheless; also Fable (not got the hang of it yet)and Dungeon Siege 2 (a clickfest but fun).
What are you going to play next?

Bungleau · 04-18-2006, 10:57 PM

If you can find the ultimate MM collection (or maybe it's the diamond or platinum one), you can get all of the first five. You can also play them... just runs in a DOS window. I've played MM4-5 relatively recently (just a couple of years ago, I think)... they still hang around out there. Much easier than MM6, though... only three critters could attack you at a time close up. Life was good...

I played Dungeon Siege for a while, but not DS2. I agree... too linear, and too much of a clickfest. Still, it was better than nothing...

I'm currently playing the original BTII: Destiny Knight. It's old-school CRPG, but still kind of fun. I like the feeling when you can walk into an encounter and seriously wonder if your butt is about to be kicked... happened to me on level 2 of the starter dungeon

After that... who knows. I've got BT1 and BT3 available as well... may take me a while [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

You can find out information about Dark Messiah at www.ubisoft.com. You have to go to the forums... I wasn't successful at finding it on the main pages. They say August for the release date... perhaps by Christmas. As long as they release it whole, and not partially finished to get it out the door... [img]graemlins/madhell.gif[/img]

Yep, that's right... I played Dungeon Lords too. Once.

Zaleukos · 04-19-2006, 08:08 AM

Jelly: M&M III-V are fine and very similar (kinda like VI-VIII). The graphics are comparable (maybe slightly worse) than eye of the beholder, gameplay is turnbased on a grid. The worlds are huge with is a plus.

Bards Tale is not much of an RPG. It is extremely linear. The main character is sexist, but he doesnt get much for his efforts. The point is rather to have a selfish, greedy, hero instead of the classical white knight. While the dialogue isnt for kids its not all that dirty either. I'd say the game is more cynical (mandatory lava level, a few thousand "chosen ones") than sexist on the whole. And the women exhibit a much more realistic level of clothing compared to almost all games of the genre. I can only think of one woman in there who shows more flesh than Lady Aribeth of Neverwinter Nights...

Bungleau · 04-19-2006, 03:48 PM

Good point on the Bard's sexism. Mostly innuendo and sly commentary. And sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between snarky and nice conversations... [img]smile.gif[/img]

Jelly Sculptress · 04-20-2006, 09:17 AM

Hi guys,
yes it does seem weird that these women who regularly face arrows/swords/dragons don't feel the need to wear a great deal. Personally I'd be wearing so many layers of kevlar that I'd look like the Michelin woman. Still, I suppose we don't want too much realism in our games otherwise our heroes and heroines would be trying to commute to the city and get to the supermarket instead of battling fiends from the ethereal planes. Mind you (she says, arguing with herself) one wants the actual characters to ring true, and a little modesty and practicality would help with that.

I checked out ubisoft Bungleau and I'm not too sure about this Dark Messiah game, it sounds very linear to me. Bring back the good old days of getting thoroughly lost in exploration and treasure hunting. Sigh. Still, hopefully I'll get my little mitts on Oblivion soon and that will satisfy my magpie-like instincts. Or perhaps Gothic 3 which is in the offing.

By the way, I feel I should point out to the Americans amongst us that what I (being from Blighty) call jelly, you call Jello. Obviously one couldn't possibly sculpt in jam (which you call jelly) that would be downright silly

Bungleau · 04-20-2006, 02:51 PM

Hmmmm... so what do you call what we call jam? Then what do you call what we call that?

I'm not getting my hopes up on Dark Messiah, although I'm looking forward to it. I do have hopes for the MM Tribute game... check Ribannah's Castle Gobs (castlegobs.nl, I think) for details.

Jelly Sculptress · 04-20-2006, 03:08 PM

I don't know, what do you call jam? lol Maybe it's marmalade? Who knows. Wasn't it Oscar Wilde who said the Brits and Americans were two nations divided by a common language? And he was Irish which makes it more confusing.

I didn't know there was a tribute game so thanks for that B I will check it out, and maybe have a shufty for the early M&Ms on ebay. Hmmm am thinking about playing number 6 again now!
take care, Jelly x

ooh - had a look at the MM Tribute game, it looks fantastic!! I hope it will get finished. M&M 1-5 on ebay is over 20 of our English pounds. Gulp. Anyone know where to find it cheaper?

[ 04-21-2006, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Jelly Sculptress ]

04-01-2006, 05:18 PM	#1
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Well, having played for a while now... it's getting monotonous. The game mainly consists of running around and shooting things with your bow, since if you do that, you can kill them while they stand there and take the hits. Get closer, and they actually fight back. Unfortunately, the tiny manual that came with the game is less than helpful, and leaves out many minor things, such as the ability to play a "god-mode" tune. I finally came to a battle that took place close up, and couldn't eliminate things quickly enough with my bow. Aside from combat, it is very linear, as others have mentioned. I much prefer the openness of an MM game, where you can go to places that will immediately get you killed... even though you shouldn't. Sometimes the reward is worth the risk. Still a decent game, although I'm very likely to play the original BT games after I get through this one. Destiny Knight was my second CRPG, and I never finished... I think I had problems with my C64 __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

04-17-2006, 03:20 PM	#2
Jelly Sculptress The Magister Join Date: May 22, 2003 Location: Kent, England Age: 54 Posts: 105	hey bungleau, thought maybe it was about time someone replied to this thread even if it 's just to ask a question! I was thinking of getting BT but it looked a bit sexist on the cover/blurb, having played it what do you think? I generally like to play a (fully clothed) woman. When you say MM game do you mean Might and Magic? I LOVE those games. What's your favourite? ciao __________________ \"I did everything Fred did, only backwards and in high heels.\" - Ginger Rogers

04-17-2006, 05:45 PM	#3
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	A bit sexist? I mean, the only character you have a choice of is a scruffy male with an overactive libido? And the real reason he's doing the quest is to try to get intimate with someone he's only seen as a magical illusion? I mean, what's not to like? It did have a bit too much of the testosterone overload syndrome. I might go back and play again, just because I missed a few side areas. But even if I don't, my life will go on quite happily [img]smile.gif[/img] I did start replaying Bard's Tale II: Destiny Knight, which was included with TBT. Interestingly, the readme says that it's only included "for nostalgic purposes" and they make no claims as to whether it will run or not.. but so far, so good [img]smile.gif[/img] Level 2 of the first dungeon is enough to kill me, thank you very much... And MM does indeed mean Might and Magic! I played MM1: Secret of the Inner Sanctum years ago on an Apple ][e, and it was my first CRPG. I've played almost every one since; I don't think I ever completed MM2 or MM3, although I have them. I recently replayed MM6, 7 and 8... I have to say that MM6 is one of my all-time favorites. Dragonsand, good and evil... great stuff [img]smile.gif[/img] Which one is your fave? And have you heard about Dark Messiah of M&M? Supposed to be coming out from Ubisoft in the summer... Not a traditional MM game, but not an HOMM game either (they're also releasing Heroes 5). __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

04-18-2006, 03:31 PM	#4
Jelly Sculptress The Magister Join Date: May 22, 2003 Location: Kent, England Age: 54 Posts: 105	Well maybe i'll give BT a miss then, there are enough testosterone-charged guys in the rpg world already frankly. [img]smile.gif[/img] M&M 6 is my favourite (poss of all time) too (up close and personal with those dragons and titans and all that gorgeous treasure), with 7 a close second, 8 not bad at all and 9 a dire disappointment. I've never got hold of the first ones, do they still hold up I wonder? Maybe I'd need to find a ZX81 or C64 to play them on! What's Dark Messiah then? Is there anything out there in the ether where I can check it out? Am currently playing HOMM3, bit too strategy for my liking but fun and terribly addictive nevertheless; also Fable (not got the hang of it yet)and Dungeon Siege 2 (a clickfest but fun). What are you going to play next? __________________ \"I did everything Fred did, only backwards and in high heels.\" - Ginger Rogers

04-18-2006, 10:57 PM	#5
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	If you can find the ultimate MM collection (or maybe it's the diamond or platinum one), you can get all of the first five. You can also play them... just runs in a DOS window. I've played MM4-5 relatively recently (just a couple of years ago, I think)... they still hang around out there. Much easier than MM6, though... only three critters could attack you at a time close up. Life was good... I played Dungeon Siege for a while, but not DS2. I agree... too linear, and too much of a clickfest. Still, it was better than nothing... I'm currently playing the original BTII: Destiny Knight. It's old-school CRPG, but still kind of fun. I like the feeling when you can walk into an encounter and seriously wonder if your butt is about to be kicked... happened to me on level 2 of the starter dungeon After that... who knows. I've got BT1 and BT3 available as well... may take me a while [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] You can find out information about Dark Messiah at www.ubisoft.com. You have to go to the forums... I wasn't successful at finding it on the main pages. They say August for the release date... perhaps by Christmas. As long as they release it whole, and not partially finished to get it out the door... [img]graemlins/madhell.gif[/img] Yep, that's right... I played Dungeon Lords too. Once. __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

04-19-2006, 08:08 AM	#6
Zaleukos The Magister Join Date: September 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 48 Posts: 146	Jelly: M&M III-V are fine and very similar (kinda like VI-VIII). The graphics are comparable (maybe slightly worse) than eye of the beholder, gameplay is turnbased on a grid. The worlds are huge with is a plus. Bards Tale is not much of an RPG. It is extremely linear. The main character is sexist, but he doesnt get much for his efforts. The point is rather to have a selfish, greedy, hero instead of the classical white knight. While the dialogue isnt for kids its not all that dirty either. I'd say the game is more cynical (mandatory lava level, a few thousand "chosen ones") than sexist on the whole. And the women exhibit a much more realistic level of clothing compared to almost all games of the genre. I can only think of one woman in there who shows more flesh than Lady Aribeth of Neverwinter Nights...

04-19-2006, 03:48 PM	#7
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Good point on the Bard's sexism. Mostly innuendo and sly commentary. And sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between snarky and nice conversations... [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

04-20-2006, 09:17 AM	#8
Jelly Sculptress The Magister Join Date: May 22, 2003 Location: Kent, England Age: 54 Posts: 105	Hi guys, yes it does seem weird that these women who regularly face arrows/swords/dragons don't feel the need to wear a great deal. Personally I'd be wearing so many layers of kevlar that I'd look like the Michelin woman. Still, I suppose we don't want too much realism in our games otherwise our heroes and heroines would be trying to commute to the city and get to the supermarket instead of battling fiends from the ethereal planes. Mind you (she says, arguing with herself) one wants the actual characters to ring true, and a little modesty and practicality would help with that. I checked out ubisoft Bungleau and I'm not too sure about this Dark Messiah game, it sounds very linear to me. Bring back the good old days of getting thoroughly lost in exploration and treasure hunting. Sigh. Still, hopefully I'll get my little mitts on Oblivion soon and that will satisfy my magpie-like instincts. Or perhaps Gothic 3 which is in the offing. By the way, I feel I should point out to the Americans amongst us that what I (being from Blighty) call jelly, you call Jello. Obviously one couldn't possibly sculpt in jam (which you call jelly) that would be downright silly __________________ \"I did everything Fred did, only backwards and in high heels.\" - Ginger Rogers

04-20-2006, 02:51 PM	#9
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Hmmmm... so what do you call what we call jam? Then what do you call what we call that? I'm not getting my hopes up on Dark Messiah, although I'm looking forward to it. I do have hopes for the MM Tribute game... check Ribannah's Castle Gobs (castlegobs.nl, I think) for details. __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

04-20-2006, 03:08 PM	#10
Jelly Sculptress The Magister Join Date: May 22, 2003 Location: Kent, England Age: 54 Posts: 105	I don't know, what do you call jam? lol Maybe it's marmalade? Who knows. Wasn't it Oscar Wilde who said the Brits and Americans were two nations divided by a common language? And he was Irish which makes it more confusing. I didn't know there was a tribute game so thanks for that B I will check it out, and maybe have a shufty for the early M&Ms on ebay. Hmmm am thinking about playing number 6 again now! take care, Jelly x ooh - had a look at the MM Tribute game, it looks fantastic!! I hope it will get finished. M&M 1-5 on ebay is over 20 of our English pounds. Gulp. Anyone know where to find it cheaper? [ 04-21-2006, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Jelly Sculptress ] __________________ \"I did everything Fred did, only backwards and in high heels.\" - Ginger Rogers

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