System: Commodore 64
Release date: June 1985
Embark on a sword-swinging, spell-casting quest with The Bard’s Tale on the Commodore 64, the June 1985 RPG that whisked players to the medieval town of Skara Brae to battle the evil wizard Mangar. This dungeon-crawling epic defined a genre, but does it still sing a sweet tune in 2025? Let’s grab a lute, fire up the C64, and see if this bard’s ballad is a retro masterpiece or a forgotten ditty.
Gameplay: Swords, Spells, and Skara Brae
The Bard’s Tale (originally *Tales of the Unknown: Volume I*) plonks you into a party of up to six adventurers—warriors, mages, rogues, and bards—to explore Skara Brae’s monster-filled streets and labyrinthine dungeons. The C64’s keyboard and joystick handle the turn-based combat and navigation, letting you bash goblins, cast fireballs, or strum magical songs with your bard’s lute. You’ll map out dungeons (pen and paper recommended!), manage gold for gear, and level up your party’s skills. The first-person perspective and deep character customisation feel ambitious for ’85, immersing you in a gritty fantasy world.
The catch? The interface is clunky by modern standards—expect lots of menu-diving and typing. The grind for experience and gold can drag, and unmapped dungeons might have you cursing in olde English. Still, the freedom to build your party and tackle challenges at your own pace keeps you hooked like a charm spell.
Graphics: Pixelated Fantasy with Grit
The Bard’s Tale squeezes every ounce of the C64’s graphical power. The first-person dungeon views are stark but evocative, with stone walls, flickering torches, and monstrous sprites that pop with surprising detail. Skara Brae’s overworld is simpler, but enemy portraits—from snarling wolves to cackling wizards—add personality. Animations are minimal, but the vivid colour palette and varied dungeon designs create a moody vibe that suits the game’s dark fantasy tone. It’s not a looker by today’s standards, but for a C64 RPG, it’s a proper feast for the eyes.
Sound: A Bard’s Tune That Echoes
The C64’s SID chip works overtime here, delivering a handful of catchy chiptunes that loop through your adventure. The bard’s magical songs, like “Falkentyne’s Fury,” are hummed through tinny melodies that stick in your head. Sound effects—clanging swords, spell zaps, and monster growls—are functional but effective, adding punch to battles. The lack of variety in the music can grate during long sessions, but the iconic SID sound gives the game a nostalgic edge that’s hard to resist.
Replayability: A Quest Worth Replaying
With multiple character classes, spell lists, and a sprawling world full of secrets, The Bard’s Tale begs for multiple playthroughs. Experimenting with different party builds—say, a bard-heavy crew or a magic-focused squad—keeps things fresh. The high difficulty and random encounters demand strategy, though the grind and dated interface might deter some. Whether you’re revisiting Skara Brae for nostalgia or tackling it fresh, the depth and challenge make every quest a saga.
The Retro Looney Verdict
The Bard’s Tale on the Commodore 64 is a cracking RPG that still casts a mighty spell. Its deep mechanics, atmospheric visuals, and nostalgic SID tunes make it a landmark adventure, even if the clunky interface and grindy bits feel like relics. Fire up your C64 (or an emulator) and rally your party—this bard’s ballad is still worth singing in 2025.
