Bard's Tale 2: The Destiny Knight Download (1988 Role playing Game)

The Bard's Tale II: The Destiny Knight is a true classic, and for a good reason. This game incorporates everything that early role-playing games were all about. The world is of immense size compared to The Bard's Tale. There are six towns to be explored, instead of just one. In addition to the six towns, there is a wilderness that connects them, which is full of surprises (and monsters), and there are almost two dozen dungeons to explore. The world is huge, and for this reason, manual mapping is almost a must. To some, this would probably be the most annoying part of the game, but to others it is a great addition, and a challenge that makes each and every area completed an accomplishment.

There are also a few things that really stand out, that make it a great game. As in other Bard's Tale games, all characters from all parties are considered to be in the same "world." One can make dozens of different characters for different purposes, or even use a friend's character as a "guest" party member. This aspect of the game makes it possible for friends to help each other, while still maintaining their individual parties. Another feature, which has always been a nice touch in Bard's Tale games, is that the item shops do not "lose" something you sold them. If, for example, you find a nice set of mithril plate mail, and sell it to the shop, the shop will have that same suit in stock until it is bought, even though it is not normally sold there. This eliminates that "I don't want to sell this because I may not find it later" concern that is part of almost all role-playing games. Finally, making a triumphant return from The Bard's Tale, is the multitude of puzzles and riddles found in the game. There is nothing easy about these riddles, though, so expect to be stuck thinking about a particular riddle for a long time.

Characters from The Bard's Tale can be imported into this game, and characters from this game can be exported into The Bard's Tale III: Thief of Fate. Don't hesitate to build up your character levels in this game, since your efforts will be translated into your characters in the next game. If you are a hardcore role-playing fan, and want to play a game from the series that defined early computer role-playing, check this game out.

Graphics: Although the game does have graphics, they are not the game's focus. The monsters are done well, with nice animation touches such as dripping zombies or chattering skeletons. The dungeon graphics can get quite monotonous after a couple levels, though, and it would be better if each dungeon looked a little different from the last instead of there being only a handful of wall types.

Sound: The bard songs are a nice touch, but those and the "Adventurer's Guild" theme are the only sound in the game. Some sound effects would have been good, but considering the systems that the game was intended to run on, it would have slowed things down way too much.

Enjoyment: The true measure of a game, and for some reason this one still is enjoyable and probably will be forever. Even the tedious parts of the game have their own fun challenge to them.

Replay Value: Since the most tedious part of this game is mapping and riddles, the game is actually better the next time through. Once more is understood about the game's puzzles, riddles, and items, one can sit back and relax as the game unfolds; just make sure you save all your maps and notes from last time.

The sequel to the popular RPG Bard's Tale. After your characters defeated the wizard Mangar the Dark and freed Skara Brae from eternal winter, all seemed well in the world. Fortunately for your employment prospects, the evil Archmage Lagoth Zanta shows up and splits the Destiny Wand into seven pieces, scattering them all over the land. The Destiny Wand has protected the lands for 700 years, and without it the realm will fall into chaos. Thus it falls upon your party to reforge the Destiny Wand. Also, one among you must ascend to the position of Archmage and use the wand to defeat Lagoth Zanta.

Bard's Tale 2 uses the same engine as the original with similar gameplay, but takes place in a much larger game world, featuring several different cities (instead of just Skara Brae). You can generate new characters or import characters from the previous Bard's Tale.

How to run this game on modern Windows PC?

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