The Bard’s Tale: Tales of the Unknown is a classic first-person role-playing game developed by Interplay. Set in the city of Skara Brae, which has been frozen over and overrun by monsters by the evil wizard Mangar, you must assemble a party of six adventurers to explore the town, delve into its deep dungeons, and ultimately defeat him.
How to play
You view the world from a first-person perspective, navigating grid-based streets and dungeons. Combat is turn-based against groups of enemies, and positioning matters—only the first three party members can attack physically. The Bard class is unique and essential, able to play magical songs during combat or exploration that provide powerful buffs to the party as long as they have something to drink.
| Default Controls (NES) | |
| Arrows | Move forward / Turn left or right |
| Z (A) | Confirm / Attack / Select action |
| X (B) | Cancel / Pass turn |
| Enter (Start) | Pause / Access menus |
Tips
- Your party should always include a Bard. Their songs, such as the Traveller’s Tune (which increases armor) or the Seeker’s Ballad (which lights up dungeons), are vital for survival.
- Make sure your front three characters are strong melee fighters like Warriors or Paladins, as they will absorb the brunt of enemy attacks.
- Map the dungeons on grid paper if possible, or memorize key landmarks. Dungeons feature spinners, teleporters, and dark zones designed to get you lost.
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