Bearnard

About

Bearnard is a single player action game. It was developed by Michał Wikliński and was released on August 12, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Bearnard" is a single-player adventure game with phenomenal gameplay and good music. As Bearnard, a brave bear on a mission to defend his woodland, players will journey through various landscapes, confront enemies, and solve physics-driven puzzles. Unleash the power of different cards in turn-based battles, collecting and improving cards along the way to defeat hostile creatures and complete the journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 104 reviews

gameplay34 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

Bearnard features charming visuals and a delightful art style that create an enchanting atmosphere, making it engaging and enjoyable.
The game combines clever puzzle design with challenging turn-based combat, encouraging strategic thinking and experimentation with card usage.
It offers a unique blend of platforming and card mechanics, providing a refreshing and addictive gameplay experience that appeals to both younger and older audiences.

Some players have reported issues with getting stuck in low health situations without access to shops or resources, which can lead to frustrating gameplay.
The game can feel repetitive after extended play sessions, potentially causing some players to lose interest.
There are occasional bugs and challenges that may not be fully tested across all platforms, leading to inconsistent experiences.

gameplay
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
33%
5%
The gameplay of "Bearnard" is praised for its engaging blend of turn-based card mechanics, platforming, and physics-based elements, creating a unique and addictive experience. Players appreciate the depth of the card system, the gradual introduction of mechanics, and the strategic challenges presented in battles, all enhanced by charming pixel art and a fitting soundtrack. Overall, the game is described as a well-designed and polished product that keeps players entertained without becoming monotonous.
- “Right from the first battles, you really have to put your brain to work to win the encounters, trying different strategies — I like the compatibility of the mechanics of simple shots with the use of cards.”
- “The platforming environmental puzzles greatly diversify the gameplay, and the soundtrack perfectly captures the character of each biome.”
- “Addictive gameplay combining platforming with turn-based card-based combat.”
- “I am not a fan of platformers with card mechanics.”
- “The aiming mechanic effectively prevents monotony, a common issue in games of this type.”
- “Light platforming combined with a physics-based arrow shooting mechanic is a pretty unconventional combination, right?”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
89%
11%
The music in the game has received high praise for its engaging and diverse soundtrack, which complements the various biomes and enhances the overall gameplay experience. Players particularly enjoyed the epic rock music in the forest level and noted that while the music may not be memorable, it is certainly enjoyable and fitting for the game's atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a worthwhile aspect for players.
- “The platforming environmental puzzles greatly diversify the gameplay, and the soundtrack perfectly captures the character of each biome.”
- “I was surprised by the really nice soundtrack!”
- “Great soundtrack.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The graphics of the game are characterized by charming 16-bit visuals and captivating pixel art that create an enchanting atmosphere. While some reviews note that the graphics are pleasant yet somewhat raw, the overall art style is praised for its charm and the evident passion of the single developer behind the project. The combination of cute character designs and intuitive presentation enhances the engaging experience.
- “The charming visuals and delightful art style immediately drew me in, creating an enchanting atmosphere that kept me engaged.”
- “Charming title from a single developer, captivating pixel art graphics, interesting bear character written with a large dose of humor.”
- “Art style is also great, you can feel passion in this project.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its humor, featuring witty dialogue and amusing character interactions that enhance the charming 16-bit graphics. Players appreciate the clever writing and the main character's biting sense of humor, which contribute to a well-crafted and engaging experience. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect that complements the game's polished design and captivating story.
- “Great turn-based combat, dressed in cute 16-bit graphics with some funny banter between characters and a wittily written story.”
- “Charming title from a single developer, captivating pixel art graphics, and an interesting bear character written with a large dose of humor.”
- “Add on top of this a story and humor, and that every aspect of the game is very well designed and technically refined, with each game mechanic really thought through and polished.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The game's story, while not the primary focus, is engaging enough to support the charming gameplay, featuring a sympathetic and humorous protagonist, Bearnard. Players can enjoy witty dialogue and amusing comments during battles, alongside a few collectible notes that add depth to the narrative. Overall, the story complements the well-designed mechanics and cute 16-bit graphics, enhancing the overall experience.
- “Great turn-based combat, dressed in cute 16-bit graphics with some funny banter between characters, and a wittily written story.”
- “There is even a little bit of a story to follow (some dialogues and notes to find), and the comments of the main protagonist, Bernard, after a won fight are sometimes priceless.”
- “Add on top of this a story and humor, and every aspect of the game is very well designed and technically refined, with each game mechanic really thought through and polished.”
- “Storyline?”
- “I don't think you'll play the game for the story, but it exists to motivate the actions of the protagonist, who in turn is a very sympathetic and likable bear with a sense of humor.”
- “There is even a little bit of a story to follow (some dialogues and notes to find) and the comments of the main protagonist, Bernard, after a won fight are sometimes priceless.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's enchanting atmosphere is highlighted by its charming visuals and delightful art style, which captivate players and enhance engagement. Additionally, the combination of turn-based combat and card mechanics fosters an addictive and competitive environment that encourages repeated play.
- “The charming visuals and delightful art style immediately drew me in, creating an enchanting atmosphere that kept me engaged.”
- “Turn-based combat plus the cards create a very addictive, competitive atmosphere that makes you want to play more and more.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional depth of the narrative, particularly Bearnard's struggle to protect his forest, resonates profoundly with players, evoking strong feelings and even tears, drawing comparisons to classic literature like Homer's Odyssey.
- “The tale of Bernard fighting for his forest is so moving that I cried rivers.”
- “I dare say it’s the most touching narrative since Homer’s Odyssey.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates impressive stability, with users noting it is less buggy and more cohesive than many larger titles developed by extensive teams. This suggests a high level of care and attention to detail from the smaller development team.
- “Even though the game was made by a small team, it is less buggy and more cohesive than games made by teams of hundreds of people, who are not even sure to still be with the company after such games are released.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is highly optimized, allowing it to run smoothly even on very old hardware.
- “Greatly optimized, works even on very old hardware.”