Throughout the game, conversational opportunities provide the options of a Snarky ('Square' button) or Nice ('Circle' button) response. Future game occurrences and the Bard's reward are affected by the chosen option.

Inimical creatures inhabit the world map, which the Bard must traverse between areas. If he comes into contact with one, his party will be deposited into a combat area, where they'll have to take on and slay a variable number of enemies of the type indicated by the creature he came into contact with on the world map, before being allowed to leave the battle area.

Silver pieces are used as the realm's currency. Treasure is found in chests, stumps, nearby fallen enemies, or dug up by the dog. All found treasure is automatically converted into silver. Any weapons or armor, whether bought or found, which upgrade a lesser version, are automatically equipped and the older, weaker item converted to silver. Hence there is no need for an inventory management system.

A good way to pick up substantial silver early in the game is to visit the barrel maker in Houton. For every 24 barrels, which the Bard destroys, the barrel maker will pay him 500 silver. There are sixteen to be found in the bar. Five in the back room by the stairway and eleven downstairs in the cellar. He can leave the bar and then head right back in to find another sixteen. If he returns to the barrel maker without first exiting Houton, his reward will be 50 on the second and subsequent trips. At any rate, he can quickly amass the amounts required for the treasure maps and the best armor and weapons to be had in Houton.

Ten Hit Points are awarded for each level the Bard gains up to a maximum bonus of 200 additional Hit Points. Vitality increases also affect Hit Points as does the Golden Thistle Ring token.

The Bard can battle his opponents, using either melee (e.g. swords and axes) or ranged weapon (e.g. bows and crossbows). He can also summon an increasing number of allies as the game progresses to aid him during battle. He can summon from one to four allies concurrently depending upon the instrument used to do so.

The Bard slowly heals as time passes. He can summon the Crone, who can heal him more quickly during or after a battle, but not on the world map. He can also make a donation to a priest in a Kirk for complete health and status restoration. The final method, which is reserved for difficult situations, is to use a level 1, 2, or 3 Caleigh summon.

You can have the bard issue four different commands to his summoned allies: Come to me ('Right' directional button, Stay Here ('Left' directional button), Attack ('Up' directional button), and Back off ('Down' directional button).

The bows were my weapon of choice for the Bard and here's why. They're both cheaper and cause greater damage than do melee weapons, available at similar points in the game. Some enemies can only be dispatched by arrows, and every enemy can be beaten by using them. Enemies very rarely block arrow shots, but much more frequently (the Trow in particular) block melee attacks. Arrows interrupt an enemy's attack and usually knock it back somewhat. Once he has the Power Shot, or Arrow Storm, which is even better, he can fire through a close attacker and also hit one, who's behind. Using ranged weapons bestows a distinct advantage upon the Bard in that he can find a safe spot and fire away without being attacked. You can have the Bard use his bow to shoot at nearby enemies, who're off screen, by using the mini-map as a guide. Make sure the pointed end of his yellow icon in the mini-map is pointed straight at an enemy red dot of choice and then fire for effect. You'll receive tangible feedback, when the arrows are making contact and this feedback will be absent when they aren't. This tactic can be very helpful when facing larger groups of relatively strong enemies, since he can slay some or all of them before they become aware of his position. Summoned Melee allies (e.g. the normal Mercenary, upgraded Mercenary normal Knight, or upgraded Knight) will often keep their foes at bay, while the Bard picks them off. The normal Crone or upgraded Crone, particularly if told to "Stay Here", will often be able to concentrate on healing your allies on the battlefield, since the Bard's not taking damage. While he's in the rear or a safe location, the Bard also has the freedom to summon or resummon an ally without fear of incurring damage while doing so and has no ready weapon. If he doesn't have a clear shot at his intended target from the angle he's shooting from or you note that his arrows are not causing damage (e.g. are being blocked by your allies' attacks), move him around to the side or rear of the enemy. Even though bows have no counterattack ability, he can still block with them.