Bear With Me: The Lost Robots
- July 31, 2019
- Exordium Games
"Bear With Me: The Lost Robots" is a prequel episode to the noir-inspired adventure game series. Play as both detective Ted E. Bear and newcomer robot sidekick, Amber, as they search for the missing robot crew members. Uncover secrets and solve puzzles in this episodic, story-driven experience with hand-drawn art and animated cutscenes.
Reviews
- The game features a charming story with well-developed characters and a unique noir atmosphere that resonates emotionally with players.
- Puzzles are generally well-balanced, providing a mix of challenge and accessibility, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and fans of the series.
- The voice acting and writing are top-notch, contributing to an engaging experience that combines humor and deeper themes.
- Some players found the puzzles to be overly difficult or reliant on trial and error, leading to frustration and the need for guides.
- The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content and depth compared to the original episodes.
- There are issues with achievement tracking and bundling that have caused confusion and dissatisfaction among players.
- story66 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a complex and engaging point-and-click adventure that features well-developed characters and a mix of humor and emotional depth. While some players found it less detailed than previous installments, the narrative is still enjoyable, with a good balance of easy and challenging puzzles. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its creativity and atmosphere, though opinions on voice acting vary.
“The story is interesting, the characters are adorable, and it was 8 hours well spent.”
“The interface is clean, the voice acting is spot on, and the story is tight and very well done.”
“The story was engaging, the puzzles were a good combo of easy and hard, and the puns and jokes in the game never disappoint.”
“I really wanted to like this game, I just couldn't get involved in the story as much as I would have liked to.”
“The (yes, all caps) main reason why I don't recommend this game is, after two episodes of a parody or child's play of a typical noir detective story, the developers made a complete genre switch.”
“Overall, the story of the prequel feels less detailed than that of the previous episodes with Amber.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Bear With Me" features a mix of clever, cynical wit and dark, sarcastic elements that align with its noir detective narrative. While some players found the dialogue and character interactions amusing, others felt that the humor fell flat overall, lacking the depth and consistent engagement seen in previous installments. The game's style may mislead players into expecting a lighter tone, but the humor often caters to a more mature audience.
“Bear with Me is a mix of a noir style detective narrative, with some clever humor sprinkled in that at times is way too cynical to be targeted at children, so don't be fooled by the graphics style.”
“I like the premise of these games and the dark sense of humor.”
“The detective noir feel and sarcastic humor are all there.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of the game is mixed among players; while the addition of the "lost robots" chapter is seen as touching, it lacks the depth and engagement of the original story, particularly in the character dynamics. Many players felt a stronger emotional connection in the earlier episodes, which resonated more personally compared to the newer content. Overall, while the game remains enjoyable, it does not evoke the same level of emotional intensity as its predecessor.
“What I loved best about the original game is how I could emotionally connect to the characters and the story.”
“The first episodes were much more emotional and touched me more personally.”
“Adding the extra chapter of the lost robots is touching and it feels that now the game is more complete.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game effectively captures a noir atmosphere, enhanced by a layered narrative that appeals to both children and adults. The artwork complements the story, creating an immersive experience that maintains the same feel as previous installments in the series, while also offering a slightly lighter tone in "the lost robots." Overall, the atmosphere is consistently engaging and well-executed throughout the game.
“The artwork is good and atmospheric; it fits perfectly into the style and story of the game.”
“Nice short game with a noir atmosphere, prequel to the 'Bear With Me' series.”
“This episode has the same feel and atmosphere as the previous parts, although you already know the sad ending.”
“To top the noir atmosphere, there's a very layered narrative that can be enjoyed both by kids on a surface level (with the cute looking characters) or on a deeper level by adults who might reminisce about their past.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -12 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Bear with Me" are praised for their cool design and polished comic book aesthetic, which effectively complements the noir-style narrative and atmospheric storytelling. While the visuals may appear child-friendly, the underlying themes and humor are more suited for an adult audience, adding depth to the overall experience.
“The artwork is good and atmospheric; it fits perfectly into the style and story of the game.”
“Nice comic book graphics, very polished looking.”
“Cool design and aesthetic.”
“Bear with Me features a mix of noir-style detective narrative and clever humor, but the graphics style can be misleading and may not appeal to everyone.”
“The graphics in Bear with Me are simplistic and may not meet the expectations of players looking for a more polished visual experience.”
“While the game has an interesting narrative, the graphics feel outdated and lack the detail that modern players have come to expect.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is straightforward and primarily focuses on storytelling, featuring a unique plot that includes robots, fish people, jazz bars, and a cyborg car mechanic. Players engage with the narrative rather than complex mechanics, emphasizing the delivery of the story.
“Gameplay is straightforward; it's all about the delivery of the story.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music, voiceover, sound effects, and environmental sounds are seamlessly integrated into the game, enhancing the overall experience and enjoyment of the playthrough.
“The voiceover, the music, effects, and environmental sounds - everything is well incorporated into the game, and I enjoyed it as part of the playthrough.”