Bard's Tale The Bard's Tale IV Pre-Release Thread [RELEASED, GO TO NEW THREAD]

[Strange Fellow]

inb4 game has less depth than 35 year old Wizardry scenarios.

Well, to you, everything has less depth than 35 year old Wizardry scenarios

 

[Grauken]

Because its fucking true

 

[Infinitron]

Looks like most stats can't be upped, except some selected ones via the skill-tree. The fighter has 4 nodes in the skill tree to upgrade +1 Str or so (saw that in a screenshot). Not that much. Better than nothing though.

Something to bear in mind, this isn't one of the old school RPGs where stats go up to 100 or something. When your strength starts at 4, getting it up to 6 or 8 by the end of the game is a huge increase.

Shouldn't disregard equipment and items that modify stats. The whole itemization game is something that didn't exist as much in 80s RPGs.

 

[Strange Fellow]

The whole itemization game is something that didn't exist as much in 80s RPGs.

And it was all the better for it.
Do we know if equipment is fixed or randomized? Everything I've seen so far about the itemization screams D:OS; I hope they have enough common sense not to let the evil RNGesus get his filthy hands on weapons and armour at least.

 

[Infinitron]

The whole itemization game is something that didn't exist as much in 80s RPGs.

And it was all the better for it.
Do we know if equipment is fixed or randomized? Everything I've seen so far about the itemization screams D:OS; I hope they have enough common sense not to let the evil RNGesus get his filthy hands on weapons and armour at least.

Unless I see otherwise I'd assume it's randomized the way Wasteland 2 is. Static items, randomized placement.

 

[Strange Fellow]

Static items, randomized placement.

Awful. Not as awful as it could be though, so thanks Fargo.

 

[CryptRat]

Static items, randomized placement is fine.

 

[Strange Fellow]

Static items, randomized placement is fine.

Depends on the item tables, I'd say, ranging from "indistinguishable from hand-placed" to "why the fuck is the legendary treasure hoard of St. Whatever filled with nothing but cheese sandwiches"

 

[CryptRat]

You're right, actually, what I was thinking of is that random enemies having 100% chances to drop the same item x numbers of enemies is not better than getting one "real" item based on the encounter and corresponding item table, but when you get your stuff from handplaced chests and the game contains one million different ingredients for whatever recipe that's another story.

 

[imweasel]

I can see the Steam Reviews already:

"I can't find the da Legendary Butterknife +5! Dis game SUX!!1!!11"

 

[troupeg]

Streamer is playing early copy of the game. I don't know who he is and I don't know his RPG background so don't ask me

 

[Darth Canoli]

What the hell, we can't fast forward that thing ?

Well, thanks anyway, looks good so far.

 

[aweigh]

Half the stream is listening to a bad accent.

 

[Strange Fellow]

I was looking forward to hearing this hyped up Celtic soundtrack; too bad the streamer can't go two seconds without yelling out nonsense like he has Tourettes or something. I'll never understand how people can enjoy watching this sort of thing.

 

[aweigh]

someone in the chat asked if it was necessary to play previous "Bard's Tail" games

:D

 

[Strange Fellow]

Bard's Tail

oh god no

 

[troupeg]

Bard's Tail? Is that the furry version of Bard's Tale?

 

[Zombra]

Prelmiinary report indicates approx 2-4 hours with the premade party before you can make your own "mercenary" characters.

EDIT: See also another, conflicting report.

 

[aweigh]

Honestly the game looks kind of good... my one (and IMO perfectly valid) criticism? Not enough combat!!! Too much boring expository / bland-as-fuck dialog. Beginning areas look like a chore to go thru as well.

 

[aweigh]

The stream also made me realize something incredibly obvious:

- Functionally, there is no difference between getting Quests from an NPC than from a type of "Job Board".

- If the above is true, then the best way to make BAD NPCs is to make the player feel there would be no difference if they get a Quest from a board, or from an NPC.

- Thusly I have found the perfect way of identifying early warning sign when designing NPCs and their dialog.

EDIT: And yes, this means that the Bard's Tale 4 NPCs/dialog I saw in the stream could be exchanged with a Quest Board and nothing would be lost.

 

[Strange Fellow]

And yes, this means that the Bard's Tale 4 NPCs/dialog I saw in the stream could be exchanged with a Quest Board and nothing would be lost.

Except the authentic Scottish voice acting

Prelmiinary report indicates approx 2-4 hours with the premade party before you can make your own "mercenary" characters.

 

[aweigh]

Dude, those accents accentuate the droning qualities of the NPCs... they're soooooo bad

 

[Shadenuat]

Prelmiinary report indicates approx 2-4 hours with the premade party before you can make your own "mercenary" characters.

Ugh. "skip" button plz.

 

[aweigh]

 

[Zombra]

Prelmiinary report indicates approx 2-4 hours with the premade party before you can make your own "mercenary" characters.

A conflicting report says you can get to the Adventurers' Guild and start making your own party within minutes.

Strange Fellow Shadenuat

EDIT: citation is right there in the first link you goof