Play Bards Tale III, The - Thief of Fate | Commodore 64 Online Game (1988)

The Bard's Tale III: Thief of Fate, developed by Bill Heineman and published by Electronic Arts in 1988 for the Commodore 64, is the third installment in the classic Bard's Tale series of dungeon-crawling RPGs. The game continues the tradition of its predecessors, offering a first-person perspective as players navigate intricate dungeons, solve puzzles, and engage in turn-based combat. This entry introduces new features, such as the ability to import characters from the previous games, allowing players to continue their journey with established heroes. The story revolves around a quest to stop the evil wizard Lagoth Zanta, who seeks to unravel the fabric of reality itself.

The gameplay emphasizes exploration and strategy, with players managing a party of adventurers, each with unique classes and abilities. The game world is expansive, featuring multiple interconnected dungeons and towns, all rendered in the series' signature grid-based style. Puzzles and traps are a significant focus, requiring players to think critically and often consult in-game clues or maps. Combat remains a core mechanic, with players facing a variety of monsters and bosses, utilizing spells, weapons, and tactics to survive.

The Commodore 64 version of The Bard's Tale III is notable for its technical achievements, pushing the limits of the hardware with detailed graphics and a robust soundtrack. The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its use of sound effects and music, which were considered advanced for the time. Despite the hardware constraints, the game manages to deliver a rich and immersive experience, staying true to the series' roots while introducing enough innovation to keep players engaged.

Lemon64 and LaunchBox highlight the game's significance as a landmark title in the RPG genre, particularly for its depth and complexity. The game's design reflects the era's focus on challenging gameplay and intricate world-building, appealing to fans of hardcore RPGs. While it retains many elements from the first two games, Thief of Fate stands out for its ambitious scope and the introduction of new mechanics, such as the ability to create custom spells and explore a more dynamic world.

Overall, The Bard's Tale III: Thief of Fate is a quintessential example of 1980s RPG design, offering a blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving that defined the genre during its formative years. Its release on the Commodore 64 cemented its place in gaming history, showcasing the potential of home computers for delivering complex and engaging role-playing experiences. The game remains a beloved entry in the series, remembered for its challenging gameplay and innovative features.