I think the only FF game that I have tried was one released for the PC around 2000. FF VI?

VII was the first official Final Fantasy game to get a PC release as far as I know, but it released in 1998 (and had that game-breaking chocobo race bug) where as VIII released in 2000.

I thought the bard was one of the more interesting playstyle options in RIFT as well, if we're going with MMORPGs.

Not an RPG, but I also recommend Bardbarian for some actiony-shredding fun, though alas it's not on GOG.

'98 sounds about right. It was the first Jpn RPG that I ever tried. I did not play it long due to really needing a controller. I don't care for using controllers.

I was about to say ‘mine too’ then remembered the Sega Saturn – Shining the Holy Ark, Mystaria, etc. Still, Final Fantasy VII charmed me enough that I purchased it for the PS1 a year later. Alongside Metal Gear Solid, because the PC version of that was awful an’ all.

15 years later… these Japanese developers, man. They never level up their PC specialization.

THE DAY IS MINE!

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I spent 10 years of my life trying to invent an anal bum cover. Failing to do so is my greatest regret.

A few notes:

The Elminage Gothic bard doesn't really feel like a bard to me. It would feel more like a bard if, instead of getting Tarot, the bard got the four songs that are available as EX skills. (Fortunately, it looks like it is possible to mod this aspect of the game.)

Bards are quite poor in the original versions of Final Fantasy 3 and 4, but are improved in the DS versions. Final Fantasy 5's bard is actually quite good, especially since a certain song works on a certain superboss.

Etrian Odyssey (Nintendo DS) has a Troubadour class which is useful. Etrian Odyssey 2 also has Troubadour, but it isn't that good there. (One of the many things I dislike about EO2, actually.)

Of note, Wizardry 5 does not have playable bards, but there is an enemy called an "Enchanted Bard".

Arc the Lad 1 and 2 (PlayStation) have a character who gets musical themed attacks. He is more useful in 1 than 2.

In Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song (PS2), one of the characters you can recruit is a bard, but he may not be usable endgame for spoiler reasons.

I really wish we'd get that largely abandoned but quite awesome game on GOG. I own the physical copy, but it's... well, the disk copy protection makes it unplayable in newer OSes. But crack it and it plays just fine.

Final Fantasy Tactics' bard is quite an awesome party member. And one of the best games of all time to me.

Dragon Warrior VII has Bard class. Keep in mind, that you gain ability choose class only X hours into the game, and you are expected to master the class and move on to other class. Other games in Dragon Quest series have variation on Bard class, but Dragon Warrior VII had variations AND actual Bard class.

The Bard class actually is very good in that game, getting the ability to cause status ailments (which are actually useful) for free, and even gains a free revive ability. All this in a basic class; no need to master a few classes first (and mastering Bard is one step toward getting the TeenIdol (Superstar in JP version) class, which gets a very nice free party heal.

Nah, it's crap class in DW 7 :) Don't forget that you keep all abilities of the classes you mastered when you switch class, and Bard had negative aptitude in all important stats (Int didn't have any noticeable effect in combat and Appearance is only useful for Beauty contests)..