The Bard's Tale begins with a shot of the largest pair of tits we've seen in a game for some time. Which pretty much sums up the cheap level at which this game pitches itself. It's an update of an old role-playing game, but wants to entertain and make you laugh by mocking the stereotypes found in the genre. But although busty wenches and power-obsessed wizards may be an open goal to spoof, The Bard's Tale doesn't seem skilled enough to score a single decent joke.

Humour can be pulled off in a game - look at the platform game Jak 3, where cartoony characters can simply raise an eyebrow to get laughs - but all The Bard's Tale does is irritate. Two-joke characters crack schoolyard smut or repeat post-modern "Oh, we're in a game!" gags. The narrator even claims he should be in a better game, which is funny because it's so true.

The result tries hard to mock the Dungeons & Dragons template, but inadvertently rips it off. And it's a poor imitation. Hollow combat pitches the Bard's clumsy attacks against hordes of monsters. You can make things easier by calling for assistance but this means yelling for help and legging it, which quickly becomes very tedious.

You may want to like this game but trust us, you'll come away hating it. Like an annoying man wearing a Homer Simpson tie quoting "I'm a Ladyee!" sketches from Little Britain, The Bard's Tale's biggest mistake is that it thinks it's a good, funny game, which just highlights the fact that it isn't.

Graphics 60%
Everything's so tiny. Apart from the obvious.

Sound 60%
Mixed vocal talent.

Gameplay 50%
Equally dull and frustrating.

Lifespan 50%
Gets tedious very quickly.

Overall 50%
Not quite the fun-filled poke at the world of the RPG it wants to be. Spoilt by un-engaging gameplay and a script that lacks edge.