Summary
- Achieve a barbaric feeling either via a specific "Barbarian" class in some games or through role-playing in others.
- Assemble a barbarian army in games like Dragon's Dogma 2 and Conan Exiles.
- Play as a barbarian in different games with specific builds, focusing on strength, aesthetically accurate armor, and powerful weaponry.
Barbarian is a word that has been used throughout history, usually to pejoratively describe a rival person or group who are perceived to be callous and brutish. Naturally, many video game players wish to unleash an animalistic side in the characters they control, utilizing large weapons and charging head-first into battle, evoking a sense of strength and power in the process.
8 Best Open-World Management Games, Ranked
These excellent open-world management games offer diverse opportunities to explore, build, and create.
In some cases, barbarian is a class that can be chosen, giving an extra boost to such characteristics, but there are other cases where players may successfully achieve their goal through role-playing. These are some of the best games for feeling like an overpowered barbarian, ranked based on a combination of their overall quality and popularity, plus how barbaric they make players feel.
Kingdoms Of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
Invest In Might As A Warrior
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
- Released
- September 8, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
One such game with no dedicated "Barbarian" class is Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning, but it is possible to replicate the feeling of one with the options available in the game. This remake of the underrated PS3 gem features all kinds of powerful Destiny options, determining the class of the protagonist, with their chosen race also giving bonuses to certain attributes.
The warlike nature of the Almain makes them the best race for any budding barbarian, but investing in the Might skill tree is a must regardless of race, starting as a simple Brawler and working toward Warlord. The Almain's smithing skills can be useful for crafting the right gear that enhances strength and close-quarters weaponry that makes the Fateless One a formidable opponent.
Dragon's Dogma 2
Assemble A Small Barbarian Army
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
One of many games to feature a silent protagonist, Dragon's Dogma 2 is something of a rarity in that not only can the Arisen take on brutish qualities, but they can assemble their own barbarian horde. This can be achieved through the Pawn system, where players may apply the right vocation, armor sets, and weaponry to both themselves and their loyal followers.
Starting with the Fighter class, the Arisen may specialize in the use of melee weapons, but it is advisable to seek out and complete the “Vocation Frustration” quest in Vernworth to unlock the Warrior advanced class. Through this, two-handed greatswords and hammers may be wielded, ensuring highly impactful strikes that can knock down and finish off all foes.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Barbarian Armor Set Boosts Attack
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
It may seem a surprise that the cunning, sleek, and slender Link could pass as a somewhat coarse and merciless thug, but it is possible in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Much like in its predecessor, the three pieces that form the Barbarian Set of armor can be found in caves around Hyrule, granting an attack boost and making him look appropriate for the role.
8 Best Open-World Games If You Like Companion-Driven Stories, Ranked
The player character isn't always the only important one in the narrative -- in these games, their companions play big roles too.
Upgrading the armor set at one of the Great Fairy Fountains grants a higher level of defense and reduces stamina drain when performing charge attacks. Combining this with large two-handed battleaxes, hammers, swords, or other armaments merged by the Fuse ability, Link can ruthlessly obliterate enemies with ease.
Monster Hunter World
Craft The Right Gear & Master Combat Mechanics
Monster Hunter World
- Released
- January 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
There is already something quite primitive about the feeling Monster Hunter World can evoke, much like the rest of the series. Hunting massive monsters, learning their habits and attack patterns, then smashing them repeatedly using raw power until they are defeated, brings out the primal nature of many players.
Since there is no leveling system in the traditional sense, becoming overpowered is largely down to mastering game mechanics and the cycle of defeating more powerful monsters to craft better gear, allowing even more mighty behemoths to be battled. Utilizing greatswords and hammers is best for unleashing brutal attacks that leave their mark and make players feel like an unstoppable force of nature.
Elden Ring
Great Build For Beginners
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
While it may not make players entirely overpowered in Elden Ring with its difficult and intense combat, some find that the Barbarian build is a great starting point for newcomers to the game. Soulslike games often demand split-second timing for both attacks and defense, so this build is better for beginners to cause masses of damage without needing to worry about precision.
Focusing on improving vitality and endurance is the best approach, allowing more hits to be absorbed, plus finding weapons capable of bludgeoning foes in a few swings is helpful. It's a simple build that is easy to achieve and can be fun to play, but it can leave players unprotected against ranged attacks and even some bosses who punish those standing nearby.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Focus On Two-Handed & Light Armor
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
One of many very effective builds in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, a barbarian-style Dragonborn is particularly strong in the early game and can remain so as the game progresses. Plenty of races offer viable options, but the best by far is Orc, due to their unique Berserker Rage ability and their increased skills with heavy armor, melee weapons, blocking, smithing, and enchanting.
8 Best Bethesda DLCs, Ranked
Bethesda has created some incredible DLC for their best games, but these are the ones that stand out among the rest.
All these skills are particularly handy for a barbaric figure, since they can craft and improve the right gear to be particularly devastating when charging headfirst into one or multiple opponents. Various enchantments on weapons and armor can improve health, stamina, and attack power, fortifying the barbarian way of life both in terms of aesthetics and combat tactics.
Diablo 4
Many Barbarian Builds On Offer
Diablo 4
- Released
- June 5, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
In what would arguably be one of the worst worlds to live in, a barbarian seems like the perfect character to roleplay for any hope of survival. Diablo 4 offers many potential builds in the Barbarian class, all of which generally focus on high strength and dexterity stats, combined with their high damage output and good survivability.
Various skills like Call of the Ancients and Whirlwind are especially powerful and particularly useful when taking on multiple enemies at once. Like many other games, Barbarian is a strong build for beginners that can remain strong throughout a playthrough, being particularly impressive in Nightmare Dungeons and against Uber bosses when built correctly.
Conan Exiles
Become A Barbarian In The World Of Conan
Conan Exiles
- Released
- May 8, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Nudity, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Funcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Set during the Hyborian Age in the world of Conan the Barbarian, it makes sense that players can roleplay as such a character in Conan Exiles. Surviving and thriving in the Exiled Lands and beyond is tough, so it is necessary to scavenge for resources and make use of the strong base-building mechanics, potentially even taking human NPCs as thralls to work in the base, which is certainly the behavior of a barbarian.
Becoming overpowered may take a lot of time and effort, especially in online multiplayer, but prioritizing improvements to strength and vitality is a must, as well as finding or crafting strength-based armor and highly damaging weapons. Thralls can be used to assemble a small barbarian army, too – an imposing prospect.
8 Best Open-World Games Where You Are The Only Human Character, Ranked
These striking open-world games create a fascinating combination of exploration and isolation due to the player being the only human character.