The Bard's Tale IV - Combat First Look

Check out this first work-in-progress look at combat and exploration gameplay in The Bard's Tale IV!

The Bard's Tale IV returns to the classic fantasy RPGs of years past. Featuring dynamic turn-based combat, a full party of characters to build and customize, and first-person exploration of maze-like dungeons with devious puzzles and riddles, The Bard's Tale IV is a true successor to the original Bard's Tale trilogy, and is crowdfunded by thousands of fans. Help us bring back the dungeon crawl and return to Skara Brae - the city that started it all.

[belmontNevermore]

I really like the little details, like the one goblin laughing when the others were shrunk, or when the other monster runs behind them and they notice it. If you can keep up these sorts of things without getting repetitive, this game could be very endearing.

[BrianFargo]

We are not wild about the way characters pop when they talk so remember this is WIP.

[Amonny]

That interface and the portraits are quite a bad idea. It just looks bad.

[cartoonss]

I like the humorous lines of the villains. The imps laughing at each other as numerous things go wrong for them is something that definitely fits them. As for the animated portraits, I guess they didn't bother me as much as they did other viewers, but it is something I could live without. Or maybe this would bother me after a few hours playing the game, so the safe bet is to try something else. Although it's nice to see that you are experimenting with what several elements of the game.
The UI feels ... too sci-fi, I guess. I think something that would blend better with the fantasy theme would be preferable.

[Gillsing]

The combat grid looks too high tech for such a low tech setting. I think it should look more like something out of a wizard's spellbook. Or more nature-like, perhaps even adapted to the type of location? That way it wouldn't ruin the visual immersion as much as it does.

[Shendue]

Most of it is brilliant. Is it really necessary to show the whole combat grid just for some dialogue? Wouldn't a simple portrait of the speaker being shown on an angle of the screen being less distracting? The grid covers too much of the screen to be used outside actual combat. I also don't necessarily like how the active character faces you while the other ones face the enemy. It's distracting as well. It looks like some of the party members are facing the enemies and one is minding his business and ignoring them, but hitting them while facing the opposite side. Unintuitive and unimmersive.
I do like the use of the grid in combat, the quality of the graphics and the art style, especially with the monsters.

[MrFester]

So all those goblins, didn't see that bridge magically reassemble itself? Talking about perception fail roll checks.

[sirchetb]

I sure hope the final version will allow the option of removing the motion blur and reducing the color saturation.

But yeah, I really like what I'm seeing and am looking forward to getting my grubby paws on this. :)

[SylemGistoe]

This reminds me a lot of games like Wizardry 8, where you were in first person perspective, but still had an entire party just offscreen, and tactically placing them where to go was key! I loved that game, and this is looking like another thing i'll love too!

[Fenlius]

The portraits and the rest look to me like 2 completely different games. Different art style, different mechanic, different presentation, different tone... It's bad.

[retroinspect]

The interface isn't great but I'm sold on practically everything coming into this game knowing absolutely nothing. It brings back memories of Wizardry 8 more so than The Bard's Tale but that's still a win in my book. Gorgeous, funny, and I like the direction combat is going where positioning within a limited field is really important. It's abstract like a board game but maintains a high visual fidelity.

[actionvestadventure]

Looking gorgeous. Can't wait, also can't wait for the updated originals to be re-released.

[jedimastercosmin]

Game looking nice. But please consider changing the interface. Especially the portrait poppings.

[joeflowers]

Looks good! Thanks for the update. I echo the concerns of others regarding the portraits and combat grid, and would add 1) the kolbolds didn't react to the bridge forming even though they are in the same cavern room. That was a huge, noisy event, they should have reacted. 2) Humans don't see lens flares. Only cameras do. Get rid of them or at least make them optional.

[thehiddenpaw]

Reminds me of Wizardry 8. That's a good thing. Loved that game.

[truenamelessone]

Wonderful, the music in the begining is just fantastic. Reminds me a good old rpg games of my youth ;>)

[maawdawg]

I really hope the UI has an opacity slider

[andzejstrofimovics]

hmm i actually like it, hope more characters will be avaiable in final version

[DelDuio]

As a guy who played the original on the Apple ][, this looks awesome!

I'm surprised all the whistle blowing and bridge making didn't alert the 8 goblins not even 20 feet away though.

[scottbrown]

Super cool Brian! Hopefully you will have short cut keys so we can play fast AAADDD through some fights. :) Just making your players 3D could be all you need to make it perfect. So excited to play Bard's Tale again!