The Bard’s Tale Preview

IGN Xbox has published a two-page preview of The Bard’s Tale, after being able to get some hands-on time with a recent build of the action RPG. A snippet to follow:

This kind of dastardly attitude is prevalent throughout The Bard’s Tale. Quite frankly, everyone you meet is a real bastard. Even the most genuine damsel in distress has some selfish motive underlying her request. You are gonna get messed with a lot. I mean, a lot. People will try and swindle you, bully you, they will lie and cheat and do whatever they have to in order to get their way. And when you do help them, often they complain about what you’ve done. It’s like a world full of obnoxious teenagers.

Everyone is a bastard in some way or another and the Bard is really just another cog in the system. Of course, he is the chosen one, though he refuses to accept it. That smarmy attitude translates through the voice of Elwes, but also the other English actors who do a fine job of sounding bitter. The game itself, from its quests and overall feel, is just as disgruntled. It’s nothing like a Baldur’s Gate clone. In fact, it’s really not like any other RPG I’ve played, which is a blessing.