Entertainment
The 20 Best Portrayals of Self-Hatred in Movies
15. Shining Resonance Refrain
In Shining Resonance Refrain, characters fight with weapon-instruments like guitar axes, violin swords, and even trumpet clubs. They’re not just for show; playing them mid-battle powers up your magic attacks. | © Sega
14. Skullgirls
In Skullgirls, Big Band is a fighter made of brass instruments who attacks using drums, saxophones, and horns. Every move he makes sounds like a jazz solo come to life. | © Hidden Variable Studios
13. Final Fantasy XIV
In Final Fantasy XIV, bards can enter Performance Mode and use their keyboard to play real notes on instruments like pianos, harps, and horns. Some players even organise full concerts in-game, turning city squares into virtual stages. | © Square Enix
12. Stray
In Stray, you can jump on pianos, knock over instruments, and collect sheet music for a robot musician named Morusque to perform. The best part? You can curl up next to him and nap while he plays your latest find. | © BlueTwelve Studio
11. Fable
In Fable II and Fable III, you can play the lute, first as a simple expression to win over townsfolk, then in Fable III through a full rhythm mini-game called Lute Hero. Nail your performance and you’ll earn cheers, coins, and even an achievement for musical mastery. | © Lionhead Studios
10. The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II lets you play guitar, strumming chords and picking notes using the DualShock touchpad, with several scenes dedicated to music. In the PS5 remaster, there’s even a full free-play mode where you can choose characters and instruments to jam however you want. | © Naughty Dog
9. Overwatch
Overwatch hides a few musical Easter eggs: on some maps, you can actually shoot piano keys to play real notes (or mash them with melee for chaotic chords). There are also traditional Korean instruments tucked into one map that chime when struck, purely for fun. | © Blizzard Entertainment
8. Warframe
Warframe lets you get musical with two in-game instruments: the Shawzin, a lute-like tool you can freely play and even jam solo or with friends, and the Mandachord, a beat-making device tied to Octavia that powers her abilities with custom tracks. | © Digital Extremes
7. Oddada
Oddada turns music-making into a playful, toy-like adventure, where you build tracks, place quirky sound machines, and watch your train compose a song as it rolls by. No rhythm skills needed, just curiosity and a love for charming, hands-on sound experiments. | © Sven Ahlgrimm
6. Stardew Valley
In Stardew Valley, you can craft Flute and Drum Blocks that play notes as you walk past them, turning your farm into a musical walkway. With a bit of setup, you can create full melodies and even trigger secret sounds depending on what you’re holding. | © ConcernedApe
5. Don't Starve Together
In Don’t Starve Together, every character uses a unique musical instrument sound: Wilson hums like a muted trumpet, Willow chirps like a flute, and WX‑78 buzzes with synth tones. It’s not music you play, but it gives the game a quirky, unforgettable charm that makes each character instantly recognisable. | © Klei Entertainment
4. Melatonin
Melatonin isn’t about playing instruments; it's about feeling the rhythm in everyday dreams. You’ll tap along to lo-fi beats by timing actions like eating, spending, or working out, all without any visible cues, just your sense of the beat. | © Half Asleep
3. It Takes Two
In It Takes Two, musical instruments become part of the puzzle. Whether you're playing a possessed piano or using cymbals to solve challenges, instruments are woven into the cooperative gameplay in clever, chaotic ways. | © Hazelight Studios
2. Resonance of the Ocean
Resonance of the Ocean is a short and gentle game where you explore a quiet island, listening to mysterious sounds coming from across the sea. Using objects you find, you craft your musical instruments to send a reply, one note at a time. | © Image Labo
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you can actually play instruments, just walk up and press A to strum a guitar, blow into an ocarina, or bang on a drum. Better yet, if there’s music playing nearby, your notes will match the key, and sometimes villagers will join in for a charming little jam session. | © Nintendo
