Bear & Breakfast
- July 28, 2022
- Gummy Cat
- 16h median play time
While a cozy management game, Bear and Breakfast still needs to polish some of its "bare" necessities.
In Bear & Breakfast, players assume the role of a shape-shifting bear who runs a cozy bed and breakfast business in a peaceful woodland community. They must build and manage their inn, cook meals for their guests, and explore the wilderness to uncover secrets and expand their operations. The game features a charming art style, relaxing gameplay, and plenty of opportunities for players to put their hospitality skills to the test.
Reviews
- Charming art style and adorable character designs that create a cozy atmosphere.
- Engaging gameplay loop with a mix of resource gathering, crafting, and hotel management.
- Humorous dialogue and interesting story elements that keep players entertained.
- Repetitive gameplay that can become tedious, especially in the late game with excessive waiting for quests to complete.
- Limited customization options for rooms and furniture, leading to cluttered designs.
- Bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with NPC interactions and inventory management.
- story1,291 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in "Bear and Breakfast" is characterized by its charming and whimsical narrative, featuring a lovable bear named Hank who embarks on a journey to manage a bed and breakfast while interacting with quirky characters. While many players appreciate the cozy atmosphere and engaging dialogue, some express frustration with pacing issues, as quests often require waiting for guests or completing fetch tasks that can feel repetitive. Additionally, the story's conclusion leaves some players wanting more, with unresolved plot threads and a lack of satisfying closure. Overall, the game blends management mechanics with a light-hearted story, appealing to fans of cozy gaming experiences.
“The characters are well developed, Hank is precious beyond words, the story has interesting twists and turns, and the hotel design/management features really worked for me.”
“The story has been well thought out, and the music is enjoyable.”
“The story is charming and unfolds at a relaxed pace that neither rushes the player nor holds them back if they're moving quickly.”
“The story is predictable, leaves no impressions and then ends with so little fanfare that you're left wondering if that's it.”
“The one-note characters seem important and then disappear from the plot entirely.”
“The story ends abruptly, clearly trying to set up for a sequel after paragraphs of exposition.”
- gameplay449 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Bear and Breakfast" is characterized by a charming yet repetitive management simulation experience, where players manage bed and breakfast establishments while engaging in resource gathering, crafting, and decorating. While the game features a cozy atmosphere and simple mechanics that are easy to learn, many players find the gameplay loop becomes tedious over time, particularly due to slow pacing, clunky controls, and a lack of variety in tasks. Despite its potential and engaging art style, the gameplay often feels bogged down by excessive dialogue and fetch quests, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall enjoyment and replayability.
“With its adorable graphics, engaging gameplay, and comforting atmosphere, this game offers a delightful escape for players of all ages.”
“The gameplay is solid, the aesthetics polished, and the world and its characters lovable.”
“The gameplay loop is well done, similar to Theme Hospital, it has good progression, each resort introducing new mechanics, but instead of having to leave everything behind when you move to the next 'level', all the resorts are in the same world and you always go back to early game areas to complete additional challenges and get new guests.”
“The mechanics are incredibly bare bones; it is a long slog to reach even the 'end' of the tutorial area.”
“The pacing is completely off, as it seems to rush you along with the intention of showing you all there is rather than letting you take time to develop things naturally and get hands-on with the core mechanics.”
“The gameplay loop gets a bit boring by the end, as from start to finish you basically just do the same thing over and over again, and I can't say that mechanically it changes enough to really feel any different.”
- graphics407 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their adorable and charming art style, which evokes a cozy atmosphere and enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the vibrant character designs and detailed environments, often comparing the visuals to beloved animated shows. However, some reviews note that while the graphics are visually appealing, they can occasionally hinder gameplay due to navigation issues and graphical glitches.
“The graphics and art style are pleasing to the eye, and you can tell that a lot of heart has been put into the game, which gives it the charm of a well-loved project.”
“The art style is super cute and the dialogue was well written and funny.”
“The artwork is adorable and a vibe.”
“The game overall seems like it was visuals first and everything else was tacked on as an afterthought.”
“I understand that the areas have a natural look to them because it fits the artistic aesthetic, but I spend so much time just navigating the areas either because I am lost, or I keep getting stuck behind ledges I didn't know were there or other obstacles.”
“The graphics are cute, the story's meh (the NPCs are almost like forgettable decorations, you interact with them for a quest and that's it), the soundtrack is fine, and the gameplay was fine early game but towards the end is quite questionable...”
- humor191 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in "Bear and Breakfast" is widely praised for its charm and wit, with many players finding the dialogue and character interactions genuinely funny and engaging. The game balances lighthearted, cute humor with occasional darker themes, creating a unique atmosphere that keeps players entertained. Overall, the writing and character dynamics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy a cozy, comedic adventure.
“A cozy hotel management sim + a precious bean of a protagonist + hilarious writing = a well spent 50 hours of my life”
“The writing is funny, the characters are cute, the building is fun.”
“The dialogue is genuinely hilarious, and the story is engaging enough for a short game.”
“The dialogue feels clunky, with many lines coming off as forced and unfunny, which disrupts the overall flow.”
“The humor attempts fall flat, leaving me more confused than amused.”
“I expected witty banter, but instead, I got awkward jokes that just didn't land.”
- music139 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its calming and enjoyable qualities that enhance the overall cozy atmosphere. While some noted occasional mismatches in music selection for specific scenes, the majority found the soundtrack to be a standout feature, contributing to a relaxing and immersive experience. Overall, the combination of delightful music and charming visuals creates a captivating environment that players love to engage with.
“The soundtrack is also a standout feature, featuring a whimsical blend of acoustic instruments and nature sounds that create a sense of serenity and wonder.”
“The charming visual design and especially the catchy music is so well done, definitely a highlight.”
“The music is very nice: calm, relaxing, and chill.”
“- the music is just....no.”
“I hated the music so much, I turned it off and literally played Stardew Valley and Undertale music on Spotify.”
“- the music is very repetitive.”
- grinding137 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding, particularly in the mid to late stages, which many players find tedious and unfulfilling. While some appreciate the cute aesthetics and management aspects, the repetitive resource gathering and lack of meaningful rewards can lead to frustration and a loss of interest, especially as the game progresses. Overall, players suggest that while the game can be enjoyable, it often becomes overly grindy, detracting from the overall experience.
“It's not too grindy or punishing and allows you to manage each resort at your own pace.”
“The mechanics of the game are not tedious or overwhelmingly time-consuming.”
“The charm wears off very quickly and you're left with gameplay that gets more tedious with each new feature.”
“I don't plan on finishing this because the endgame is now so tedious, and I have wasted so much in-game time letting days pass just to meet some of the criteria.”
“Honestly that's my only real con of the game but the endless grinding only for it to become irrelevant almost immediately after you craft and make the improvements you need just make the game boring.”
- emotional73 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Bear and Breakfast" is characterized by its heartwarming and wholesome narrative, featuring charming characters and engaging interactions that evoke feelings of kindness and nostalgia. Players often find themselves emotionally invested in the story, with themes of grief, kindness, and environmental preservation adding depth to the gameplay. Overall, the game is praised for its cozy atmosphere, beautiful visuals, and the ability to elicit genuine emotional responses, making it a delightful experience for fans of wholesome gaming.
“The main character is sweet and wholesome and just wants to do right by everyone around him all the time.”
“I felt like I emotionally connected with all the characters.”
“Bear and breakfast is quite possibly the most endearing and emotionally touching game I've played in years.”
“The entire game ends up being a fetch quest with a droning and boring story.”
- stability71 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting a variety of glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in the late game. While some users have experienced minor issues that could be resolved by restarting the game, others have faced more severe problems, such as freezes and unresponsive mechanics. Overall, while the developers are noted for their responsiveness to issues, the game still requires substantial improvements in stability to enhance the player experience.
“The game runs great.”
“Love this and it runs great on the Steam Deck!”
“Nice chill sim game, no rush or pressure; addictive, smooth playing, no glitches or bugs yet.”
“Unfortunately, the game is quite buggy, which is understandable for a newly released game, but it's kind of put a damper on my excitement for it.”
“This is a very good game, but I can't recommend it until these sorts of bugs and glitches are addressed as it grinds the game experience to a halt whenever they occur.”
“Despite being released for over a year, this game is still buggy, where in-game information will not load properly (e.g., stats about room temperature, food, etc.).”
- character development30 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its charming and cute character designs, which many players find memorable and visually appealing. However, several reviews express a desire for deeper exploration of character relationships and development, noting that while the art and dialogue are engaging, the lack of substantial character growth can lead to a feeling of detachment. Overall, the aesthetic elements are celebrated, but the narrative depth in character development is seen as an area for improvement.
“The character development, the music, the story <3”
“This game is adorable, the storyline is so rich and the character designs are fantastic.”
“The character designs and expressions are one of the absolute highlights.”
“Although I wish the story could have gone a bit deeper into character development and relationships.”
“One thing I wish there was more of was more food quests/character development for some of the characters that were introduced throughout the game, as well as keeping those characters relevant throughout the whole game.”
“Here's another 30 minutes of character development.”
- atmosphere29 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charming graphics, cozy and heartwarming design, and engaging soundtrack, creating a delightful escape for players. Many reviewers highlight the attention to detail and the vibrant, hand-drawn visuals that evoke a rustic and relaxing environment. While the atmosphere is a standout feature, some players feel that it can only carry the game so far, with a few noting moments of loneliness or emptiness within the gameplay experience.
“With its adorable graphics, engaging gameplay, and comforting atmosphere, this game offers a delightful escape for players of all ages.”
“The game's visuals are charming and vibrant, with hand-drawn characters and environments that evoke a cozy, rustic atmosphere.”
“One of the standout features of Bear and Breakfast is its heartwarming and wholesome atmosphere.”
“I loved this game and recommend it if you would be interested in this type of game, its atmosphere is set well and it keeps you going but in many parts the game feels lonely and empty.”
“However, art and atmosphere can only carry a game so far.”
“It just feels like the game took the atmosphere from Stardew Valley and draped it over a half-finished, empty framework.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many players expressing that it lacks sufficient content to warrant multiple playthroughs. While some enjoyed their initial experience, they felt that without additional DLC or storylines, the game offers little incentive to return. Despite its charm, the consensus is that it is best suited for a single playthrough rather than repeated sessions.
“I wish it had more to offer in the story and more replay value, but I still had fun playing it for the last couple of days.”
“I think some of these things could affect replayability, but they absolutely did not lessen my enjoyment of the game.”
“Not a ton of replayability, but good for at least one playthrough and definitely worth the asking price.”
“I don't think it has much for me in terms of replayability unless future DLC/storylines are released.”
“My only real negative here is that I personally don't feel like there is much replay value.”
“There's no challenge and the game barely has any replayability.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has room for improvement, particularly in its complex UI and certain gameplay mechanics like decoration sorting and resource acquisition. While some users noted minor bugs and stuttering, many reported a smooth experience, especially on PC, with no significant issues detracting from their enjoyment.
“Of course there are some bugs here and there and some less optimized parts - I wish there was a better way to sort decorations, as well as another way to acquire wood because the mahogany grind in late game feels pretty bad - however, the positive experience greatly prevails over any negatives.”
“I never felt like I ran out of space for the required special areas in my buildings, and I felt like I optimized my bedroom space really well, which made me feel smart as a player!”
“In general, the UI needs some optimization; often it's needlessly complex.”
“Of course, there are some bugs here and there and some less optimized parts. I wish there was a better way to sort decorations, as well as another way to acquire wood because the mahogany grind in late game feels pretty bad.”
“The UI was not optimized for anything other than PC.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for misleading advertisements that suggest a life simulation experience, while the actual gameplay leans towards a mobile-style clicker format with microtransaction elements. Players feel that the disconnect between the advertised content and the actual gameplay leads to disappointment, as the game’s darker undertones clash with its cheerful presentation. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to have negatively impacted player expectations and satisfaction.
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
“I appreciate that the game offers cosmetic items for purchase, but they don't affect gameplay balance.”
“The option to buy in-game currency is available, but it's not necessary to progress, which keeps the experience enjoyable.”
“It makes the game feel like it should be on my phone and asking me to buy microtransactions to speed things up.”
“I loved the mobile game Cats and Soup because of the laid-back playstyle, but hated the ads and I don't really like clickers because I enjoy stories.”
“I think advertising it as a life sim has done more harm than good for the reviews at the time of writing this, because people just are expecting something completely different.”
Critic Reviews
Bear and Breakfast review
Bear and Breakfast is a sweet and straightforward management sim that opts for a laidback approach rather than an intense experience.
70%Bear and Breakfast Review – Quirky, relaxing, and utterly adorable
Bear and Breakfast offers up a delightful world, engaging strategy mechanics, and a heart-warming story. While it may not be an overly complex game compared to classic strategy titles in the genre, it’s an incredibly relaxing and wholesome gameplay experience. If that’s your jam, Bear and Breakfast shouldn’t be missed.
80%Bear & Breakfast (Nintendo Switch)
Bear and Breakfast stands out as one of my favorite games of the year. Its visual style is instantly appealing and its gameplay feels nearly flawless. It’s a chill game that wants you to feel relaxed while micromanaging your own bed and breakfast locations. The game has a wonderful reward system and there’s a ton of things to unlock to keep you playing for hours on end. The game on Nintendo Switch is extremely well done, despite a control scheme that requires a bit of practice to get used to. Bear and Breakfast feels right at home on the platform sitting next to the likes of Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley. Bear and Breakfast managed to be so wonderful that it jumped to the top of my game-of-the-year contender list. Do yourself a favor, go and buy this game. It’s an absolutely wonderful title that must be played for a bear-y good time (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist).
90%