This method helped me to run the game on Windows 7: in the system32 folder, you need to find and copy the file "xinput1_3.dll", then paste it into the same folder and you should get a file called "xinput1_3.dll - copy". Rename the copy to "xinput1_4.dll". Or you can copy the file "xinput1_3.dll", paste it into the game folder and rename it to "xinput1_4.dll". After that, the game should work.

I agree with you that the developers could have kept the 2005 version.

I just bought this game a couple of days ago, but I can't find any configuration folder. I need to change the graphic resolution. The default resolution is above my native one, and the game runs in slow motion. Thanks in advance if anyone can help me.

Thank you for your help, but unfortunately this dll is not enough on my side, as I still receive errors related to these dlls:

API-MS-Win-Eventing-ClassicProvider-L1-1-0.dll

api-ms-win-core-sysinfo-l1-2-1.dll

Unfortunately these dlls are not in the System32 folder. I researched a little more about these dlls and discovered that they are inherent to Windows 10 and 11, and that Windows 7 does not have them and there is no way to get around this in Win7. The real problem with this remaster is that it was made with Win 10 and 11 in mind, and there is no support for Win 7. GOG should remove Win 7 from the minimum requirements, as this is misleading people.

Thank you for your contact and attention! However, the dlls:

API-MS-Win-Eventing-ClassicProvider-L1-1-0.dll

api-ms-win-core-sysinfo-l1-2-1.dll

They are part of Windows 10 and not way install them in Windows 7. Well, there is an alternative way:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/update-for-universal-c-runtime-in-windows-c0514201-7fe6-95a3-b0a5-287930f3560c

But when I run both x86 or x64 versions I get a message that I already have the update installed. Honestly, I don't know what's happening with this game, I've never had this type of problem related to dlls. Try compatibility mode? Sorry... That doesn't make sense. If you say the game is compatible with Windows 7, why do I need to try a compatibility mode? And what would be? There are several... From Windows 95 to Vista. Just so you know that I run all my games with administrator privileges and install them on drive D.

I have to be honest and say that I don't have the game on GOG, I've had it on Steam for a few years now (I had the same problem and I didn't even try to solve it when I bought it because I was too busy, hehe), and when the GOG version was updated I thought the problem had been resolved, but no, not solved. If it's not too much to ask, could you tell us what's new in the "2.2.b" update? There are no offline installers to test.

I have the same problem in Windows 7, the game does not work and gives an error. If there are no messages about the problem on Steam, and two people are already reporting it on the GOG forum, this may mean that gog employees incorrectly transferred (assembled) the game to the platform.
And also there are no settings for changing the resolution either in the game folder or anywhere else. I've seen several posts here on the forum from users that they couldn't find the settings for changing the resolution anywhere.

This method helped me to run the game on Windows 7:
This method helped me launch the game on Windows 7: in the system32 folder you need to find and copy the file "xinput1_3.dll", then paste it into the same folder and you should get a file called "xinput1_3.dll - copy". Rename the copy to "xinput1_4.dll" Or you can copy the file "xinput1_3.dll", paste it into the game folder and rename it to "xinput1_4.dll" and the game should work.

Without this method, the game does not launch and displays an error stating that the is required file“xinput1_4.dll”, which is incompatible with Windows 7.

No, it didn't work, it just zoomed in the screen, I could only see the top left corner. I looked for more info about the dll and I found that for it to work I still have to go to the config folder to choose the desktop resolution for borderless

Just curious: is there an actual ETA for the Linux (and Mac, I guess) version?

I ended up finding an offline installer from GOG dated 11/21/2016 (2005 version). And I managed to get it running, however, I had slowdowns in several parts and I tried the "Windowed Mode fix" available here: https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/87-the-bards-tale-2005-windowed-mode/

Unfortunately, it didn't work, which means it didn't solve the slowness, so I thought about using this: https://github.com/crosire/d3d8to9

And the slowness has been resolved; but now it only occurs in some parts, nothing that gets in the way. I don't know, but I think the 2005 version uses DirectX 8 and the aforementioned dll converts all game calls that use DirectX 8 into DirectX 9 calls, this means that the game becomes compatible even on Windows 10 with this dll . And according to some sources the Remastered version uses DirectX 9.0c, so the 2005 version with the "d3d8to9" dll becomes a pseudo remastered version. XD

Maybe this information will be useful to someone. =)

Hate to bother you again. Glad Mac version is now available, unfortunately it doesn't appear to support macOS Sonoma :( Any chance of making it compatible?

The Linux version on gog is still 2.0 gog3. It hasn't changed since 2017. Even though I trust my download method, I went ahead and re-downloaded it just before writing this message, and verified that it is, indeed, the same version from 2017. I don't really know or care about the Mac version; I just assumed it was behind as well due to the fact that it's also 2.0 (Windows is 2.2) and the announcement indicated that Mac and Linux version would follow. The only thing that changed is the library shelf text. Just calling it Remastered and Resnarkled doesn't change what it actually is.

edit: just to reinforce my last sentence: I just checked my order history (for other reasons), and even that has changed the name of the game to its new name. Apparently I already owned the Remastered & Resnarkled version in 2013. At least I still have my email receipt (Bard's Tale, The), although I still prefer to call it The Bard's Tale (2004) or the console Bard's Tale, since I first owned and played it on the PS2.

I ask again: is there an ETA for the Linux version?

The only response I got a week ago was that it's already there, even though the version available now is the same version that's been there for the last 6 years (which, as of this morning, I've now triple-checked). The only thing that's changed is the advertised name of the game. As is, I'm assuming the Linux version simply won't get an update; instead, it's deceptively labeled as the updated version in the game page, download/shelf page, and, annoyingly enough, even in my order history, even though the update did not exist when I first bought this game.

edit: Ah, I see now, the game page has also been updated to remove Linux & Mac versions. So I guess now the old Linux version serves as an "extra", even though Steam users get an actual, updated Linux version. Whatever. Thanks again for (less than) nothing, inXile. I guess this is what we have to look forward to in the future now that Microsoft is in charge, if they bother to release anything on gog.

I just purchased the game and I can also confirm that both versions 2.2.a (Offline Installer) and 2.2.b (Galaxy Install) with Windows 7 x64 give "The program can't start because XINPUT1_4.dll is missing from your computer".

Before purchasing it, thanks to your report, I contacted support who provided me with this answer (after a week):

"The game should work without issues on the operating systems listed on the website. However, if you encounter any problems after purchasing the game, I am here to assist you in resolving those issues.

You can attempt to revert the patch to the previous version on GOG Galaxy, although I can't guarantee that it will work perfectly since Galaxy is officially supported from Windows 8."

After this answer I purchased it anyway and was unable to run it with Windows 7 x64. I ask for a refund immediately.