9 Bara Games You Need to Play
Oh my god, where do I even start? Why are Bara games just so hard to discover without some deep diving? Yaoi games are easily accessible but Bara games seem to be harder gems to come by. So, you want a recommendation list on all these Bara games, huh? Well, you've come to the right place! But before I dive into each juicy game, let me give you a quick rundown of what Bara is for those not in the know.
Also be sure to learn more about Bara Jam to help support Bara Games and game developers!
What is Bara?
Bara is a genre of gay art and media that primarily features masculine men, often with exaggerated muscle tone and facial hair. The term is largely used in contrast to Yaoi, which tends to focus more on youthful, and often more feminine, male characters. While Yaoi originated from and is produced primarily for a female audience, Bara is often created by and for gay men. So, you could say Bara is the beefy older brother to Yaoi's soft boy vibe. There are some women and even straight men who have created bara before, and if they get it right I'm all for it!
Now, onto the games.
Welcome to Whellcum! This RPG has it all: combat, mini-games, and collectibles. The combat's fun, although a little rudimentary, with that whole click-when-the-meter-hits-the-right-spot deal. But the real winners here are the wide range of races. Humans, Orcs, Wolves—oh my! And let's not forget the super gay battles and ahem craftable cockrings. Unique and sexy.
A murder-mystery with kinks? Sign me up. The point-and-click gameplay is fun, and the story goes on regardless of whether you solve the mystery or not. Honestly, the bad translations are just the cherry on top for me—like, I live for the grammatical hilarity.
This one is interesting. Love the day/night cycle and how the days of the week actually matter. The complexity in choices keeps me on my toes. Plus, you get to pick your sexuality? There is also a M/M choice. Just remember, folks: decisions matter. One wrong move and you might find yourself down a path you're not so keen on. I stuck with the M/M route of course.
Developed by one developer this game has charm. True, the body types initially were kinda copy-paste, but the additional dates added more variety. It's like the Starbucks of gay dating sims—basic but reliable.
Good old sidescrolling beat-em-up action in Strange Flesh, and mini-stories in Badtime Stories? Yes, please. The latter's a bit of a sad case since the dev stopped working on it, but what's there is quite tasty.
A dating sim that asks the real questions. Do you even NEED a man? Well, since it's a dating sim, I guess we're going with "yes." But oh boy, the game is a roller coaster of emotions and questionable life choices.
Surf's up, dudes! No stop...This short VN is sweet and simple. Asking for a guy's number is now a game mechanic, and I'm all for it. It's a game that's equally about social smarts and luck—just like in real life.
Dream Daddy, the game that took dad-dating to a whole new level. How could I forget? sighs I guess you could say this game really puts the "D" in Daddy—wait, can I say that?
Move to Maple Bay, a town that's just crawling with eligible, hot Dads. Goth Dad, Teacher Dad, Bad Dad... the list goes on. The game has this wholesome charm to it because you're not just dating; you're also being a dad to your daughter. So if you've ever fantasized about being a suburban dad while also juggling a spicy love life, this game is your jam. The mini-games and sidequests are super engaging. And when it comes to the story? Multiple paths and endings mean you could be replaying this game until you've dated every last dad in Maple Bay.
This has got to be one of my all time favorite gay games I've played. I also cannot wait to do a full review because Y Press Games just has amazing titles. So, Allen finds himself trapped in a mansion with magical beasts, huh? Talk about dream scenarios. If the pull of magic is strong, the pull of gorgeous monsters must be irresistibly magnetic. Look, if you've got a thing for the supernatural (which, hello, who doesn't?) and you're not a prude (again, who is?), then this game has your name written all over it.
Jouvru's art? That's the cherry on top. If you're familiar with Bara, then you know Jouvru's work or at least should. Dear Monster has delivered with narrative but also in eye candy.
So there we have it another few Bara games I've discovered and will also be reviewing on my time here at Boys Love Universe. Into combat, sniffing underwear, or surfing in Hawaii? There's something here for every gay gamer. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to start reviewing a few of these Bara games!
