The Bard's Tale Preview

The guys over at Fragland are offering up a preview of the PC version of The Bard's Tale, after spending some firsthand time with a press copy of the action RPG. Check it out:
While you are adventuring you can jump, block attacks, kick some butt yourself and activate spells. Most things don't come as a surprise and that's the general feeling I had about the combat mechanics; pretty 'standard'. Like in the demo you'll often have/need companions by your side. Much control over these compadres isn't given so they mostly act as punching bag/the first line of defence. That was the case with the Thunder Spider I summoned and the little dog that kept following me, they took the hits so I could hit back without worrying too much about myself. When the Bard still got hurt it was time for the Caleigh-artifact, let's call it the healing potion eaquivalent. It's limited in use but you can also wait a while since you regenerate health automatically. When even that doesn't help and you are killed you'll have to reload. Saving is only possible at certain savepoints. Not the kind of system most PC gamers will like but the spread of these points is well chosen so it doesn't irritate too much.