The Bard's Tale is an action RPG. As The Bard players can fight off hordes of foes with blade and bow and summon companions through magical Bard Songs. Leveling up allows the player to raise the character's main parameters and invest specialization points in the different types of weapons he can use. Magical companions must be sought out and then summoned during battles. After being summoned they act pretty much like AI-controlled party members some of them specialize in physical attacks and offensive spells while others can heal the hero. The game uses the Dark Alliance engine and has a similar camera and control scheme.