Sometimes the best way to fight a world-ending scourge or an intergalactic free-for-all conflict is not through swords or guns, but rather, through performing arts. Bards excel in this category, as they not only inspire their comrades in the heat of the battle, but they also look cool doing it. Sadly, not many games allow players the role of the magnificent minstrel.
There are only a handful of games that let players be colorful in combat as bards. Most of them tend to be RPGs since bards have been a staple of the fantasy genre ever since Dungeons and Dragons popularized the class and profession. Still, players will want to check out these games that let them role-play as bards just to show those boorish warriors and nerdy wizards how it's actually charisma that saves the day.
8 Divinity 2: Original Sin
- Release year: 2017
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Nintendo Switch, iPad
Divinity 2: Original Sin is often considered as one of the best CRPGs to date thanks to its vast gameplay system that's more like a video game refinement of the Dungeons and Dragons formula. Of course, bards are also a class in the game, and they tend to be magically inclined.
Players don't even have to create their own custom bard as one of the characters, Lohse is canonically a bard and defaults to the class in the character creation. In any case, don't expect to be slinging guitars or juggling magical stones as the game's bard gameplay isn't as deep, unless one counts in modding as a possibility.
7 Baldur's Gate 3
- Release year: 2020 (early access)
- Platforms: Macintosh operating systems, Google Stadia, Microsoft Windows
Currently under development from the same guys who made Divinity: Original Sin 2, Baldur's Gate 3 is available as an early access title (at the time of writing). It has similar gameplay to the studio's previous game but takes on the more traditional Dungeons and Dragons ruleset.
Gameplay is turn-based and yes, this time around, there is a bonafide bard class in the character creation. This bard thus has the same capabilities and dispositions as the one in the Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition ruleset. Players can dive in right away or wait for the official release.
6 Pillars Of Eternity
- Release year: 2015
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating systems
The first Pillars of Eternity game was a love letter to all the fans of the old and hardcore CRPGs. It did add its own twist and created its own lovely and deep game world so there's no shortage of fresh new stuff here for RPG enthusiasts. Bards, for that matter, are also welcome here, and they're exquisitely unique as far as bards in RPGs go.
They have their own separate gameplay mechanic where they can recite poems and songs like how wizards open up their spellbook to be effective in battle. This party-based game also has a sequel in the form of Deadfire, so there's plenty of content here for bards.
5 Monster Hunter World
- Release year: 2018
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Monster Hunter World, in a way, was one of the biggest advancements for the franchise since it's one of the few games in the series that is multi-platform. Moreover, it has the best graphics out of all the Monster Hunter titles, even when compared to the latest one.
As for bards, there is one weapon in the game that's actually a musical instrument. It's called the Hunting Horn, and it allows players to play note sequences as combos; these can be used to achieve different results such as healing, stunning the monster, or buffing up damage. It's one of the most fun ways to play as a prehistoric-themed bard.
4 Dragon Age: Origins
- Release year: 2009
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Mac OS X
Dragon Age: Origins isn't unlike the old and new CRPGs. It does build upon its own system, but that's still based on a Dungeons and Dragons ruleset. What that means for bards is that they get plenty of toys and tools for their combat maneuvers and spells.
Heck, there's even a character whose profession is canonically a bard, Leliana. She thankfully joins the party, because otherwise, she would have been a formidable opponent. In any case, one of the rogue specializations allows the players to be a bard, complete with interesting skills and abilities tailored to the play style.
3 Warframe
- Release year: 2013
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Warfame is a co-op multiplayer RPG about mercenary space ninjas and their eternal war against the several factions that want their power. How do bards fit into the equation? Well, one of the warfames in the game is designed with the bard gameplay in mind. She's named Octavia, and she uses the power of music to buff her allies and decimate her enemies.
All warframes in the game are unique, but Octavia takes the cake with her fun, musical-themed abilities. She can even turn herself and her allies invisible using a specific music ability, while also providing some funky and customizable tunes for the whole squad, so they can commit mass alien genocide in style.
2 A Bard's Tale
- Release year: 2005
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, iOS, OS X, Linux, PlayBook, Android, Ouya, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Players don't have to put too much effort into role-playing as a bard in A Bard's Tale, the game does it for them all the time. A Bard's Tale is a classic from the 2000s that defies the conventions of the typical storytelling norms back then.
Players don't control the stereotypical goody-two-shoes hero here. They play as a weary, cynical, and self-aware bard who's tired of side quests and rat-infested dungeons. The game has several different endings and humor fitting for its time.
1 Lord Of The Rings Online
- Release year: 2007
- Platforms: macOS, Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS
Lord of the Rings Online remains to this day as one of the most successful video game adaptations of the Tolkien franchise. Part of its success is how it offers plenty of different styles of play for the players. They can even be minstrels if they want, and they function the same as bards.
The minstrel class in Lord of the Rings Online mostly functions as everyone's favorite support. They're some of the best group healers and the best part is that they can also bring a musical instrument to battle. If players want, they can accompany the minstrel playstyle with some Pippin-level singing while the enemies' heads are being crushed like cherry tomatoes between Lord Denethor's teeth.