Bearnard
- August 12, 2024
- Michał Wikliński
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"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.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Bearnard features charming pixel art and a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The combination of platforming and turn-based card combat creates engaging and strategic gameplay that keeps players invested.
- The game is filled with humor and clever writing, making it enjoyable for both younger and older audiences.
- Some players feel that the lack of power progression and the single-use nature of cards can lead to a sense of repetitiveness.
- There are instances of unfair deaths and level design that can frustrate players, particularly in challenging sections.
- The game may feel overwhelming at first due to the variety of cards and mechanics, which could deter some players.
- gameplay38 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a captivating blend of pixel art, catchy music, and innovative mechanics that combine platforming with turn-based card combat, offering a refreshing and strategic experience. Players appreciate the depth of the card mechanics, the variety of biomes and enemies, and the gradual introduction of new elements that keep the gameplay engaging over its 10-hour duration. Overall, the game is praised for its thoughtful design, humor, and the ability to challenge players while remaining enjoyable and addictive.
“There are different biomes, each one with different enemies, also forcing you to change the way you engage each battle/enemy, adding enough variety so you don't get bored during your over 10 hours of gameplay.”
“The game also features elemental damage and the mechanic of combining different elements, in a way that order matters (so, fire + water is not the same as water + fire), generating really interesting and useful combos for you to try.”
“The gameplay loop is top-notch and designed by a developer who clearly understands what makes games fun.”
“If there ever is a sequel or whatever, I think adding more mechanics would have made it more interesting.”
“I am not fond of platformers with card mechanics.”
“Usually, such games tend to irritate me very early and punish me for not understanding the mechanics or just for my lack of skills.”
- music11 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and diverse soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, adapting to different scenarios and environments. Reviewers highlight the epic rock tracks and the ability of the music to capture the essence of various biomes, contributing to the overall engaging atmosphere. While some find the music not particularly memorable, it is generally considered a positive aspect that complements the game's quirky charm and mechanics.
“Fantastic quirky indie title with clever writing and lots of mechanics/card combinations, music is a treat as well!”
“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!”
“It’s like missing the third coming of Christ, only with better graphics and a soundtrack.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by charming 16-bit visuals and captivating pixel art that create an enchanting atmosphere. Users appreciate the delightful art style and vibrant colors, noting the engaging character designs and humorous elements. While some describe the graphics as pleasant yet simple, the overall presentation reflects a strong passion from the developer.
“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 the passion in this project.”
“It’s like missing the third coming of Christ, only with better graphics and a soundtrack.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the charming character of Bernard the Bear, whose witty dialogue and self-reflective banter resonate well with players. The combination of light-hearted humor, engaging character interactions, and a well-crafted story enhances the overall experience, making it both entertaining and enjoyable. Players appreciate the clever writing and the seamless integration of humor into the game's mechanics and visuals.
“The main character, Bernard the Bear, is a very specific character who fits my tastes perfectly with his sense of humor.”
“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.”
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story follows Bernard, a likable bear on a quest to retrieve a legendary bow to save his woodland home, accompanied by his sidekick, Owl Blue. While the narrative serves primarily to motivate gameplay, it features witty dialogue and humorous moments that enhance the experience, complemented by charming 16-bit graphics and well-designed mechanics. Overall, the story adds a lighthearted touch to the adventure, though it may not be the main draw for players.
“Forced to go on a quest to retrieve a legendary bow to save his home woodland, Bernard grabs his trusty bow and helpful sidekick, Owl Blue, and embarks on an epic platforming, card-grabbing, arrow-shooting adventure.”
“Great turn-based combat, dressed in cute 16-bit graphics with some funny banter between characters, and a wittily written story.”
“Add on top of this a story and humor, and that all every aspect of the game is very well designed and really 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 likeable 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.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's enchanting visuals and delightful art style create an engaging atmosphere, while the combination of turn-based combat and card mechanics fosters an addictive and competitive environment that encourages continued 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.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a deeply moving narrative, with players expressing that the story of Bernard's fight for his forest evokes strong feelings, even leading some to tears. Many consider it one of the most touching narratives in gaming, 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.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates impressive stability, with users noting it is less buggy and more cohesive than many larger titles developed by bigger teams. This suggests a strong attention to detail and quality despite the smaller development team size.
“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.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is highly optimized, allowing it to run smoothly even on very old hardware.
“Greatly optimized, works even on very old hardware.”
