The Bard's Tale III finishes the Bard's Tale saga in spectacular fashion. While Bard's Tale II utilized a similar engine to the original, Bard's Tale III returns to the world that was established in the first installment.
The action begins when you create a party of up to seven characters. You have the standard fantasy classes to choose from, the most unique (and unique to the series) is the Bard, who is important for his/her ability to sing songs (effectively spells) with an equipped musical instrument.
After you create your party, you are tasked with returning to the scene of the first Bard's Tale - Skara Brae. Now in ruins, your party is guided by the last living member of the review board, who sends you on your quest to cleanse the city of Brilhasti Ap Tarj, an acolyte of Tarjan the mad god - only referenced in the original Bard's Tale. Cleansing Skara Brae is merely a taste of the adventure you will face as you determine that Tarjan himself is now your ultimate adversary. Utilizing the spells of a Chronomancer that can bend time and space, your party will teleport to new dimensions in order to uncover the truth behind your quest. You will also be able to harness
stronger spells and new classes, such as the Geomancer, to aid you in your quest.
The Bard's Tale III expands upon the world developed in the first two games by introducing fully realized alternate dimensions. The developers wisely unified each dimension around a central theme, making each new dimension engaging from beginning to end. You will visit realms such as the Arboria, a natural paradise; Gelidia, a frozen wasteland; Kinestia, a clockwork city full of robots and mechanical efficiency; Tarmitia, a realm based on warfare throughout the centuries; and finally, Malefia, a realm of pure evil that Tarjan calls home.
Additionally, the developers expand upon the magic system allowing a simplistic instance of cross-classing some characters, which gives a new dimension to the strategy of your party. If you cross-class, you may lose some of the original abilities of that character--are the new abilities presented worth the risk? It's ultimately up to you. Overall, the Bard's Tale III takes the original conflict of the first game and expands it from a city-level threat to an adventure that holds the fate of multiple dimensions in the balance.
It’s not hard to recommend the Bard’s Tale III. It’s an excellent game that is a worthy successor to the excellent foundation built by the first two games. The story is excellent and genuinely engaging, making for a very satisfying experience. You owe it to yourself to play this game to see one of the foundations that modern RPGs are built upon.
