The Bard’s Tale Preview

1Up has published an updated preview of The Bard’s Tale, InXile’s ambitious console action RPG. Check it out:

In a sense, Bard’s Tale could almost be seen as the antithesis of Fable — though both are solidly-designed RPGs that blend PC and console sensibilities, Lionhead’s story was far more wrapped up with itself than InXile’s, which could best be characterized as “glib cheekiness.” Where Fable’s narrator droned on about important plot twists in sonorous tones, the Bard’s narrator frequently questions the blatant ridiculousness of RPG standards. Fetch quests, looting treasures from dead creatures, plundering townspeople’s belongings — chances are pretty good that at some point, the hero will have a droll conversation about it with the disembodied voice that accompanies him everywhere.