- September 12, 2017
- Daniel J Roberts
Just, Bearly
Platforms
About
A comedic story game played in vignettes, about feeling anxious as a bear in inner city Melbourne, Australia, and trying to connect to people none the less. Click, pull, mash, and guide your way through an ever changing mix of dialogue choices, reaction challenges, dexterity tests, rhythm games and God only knows what else as you overthink and under-perform your way through every day life -- St…










- The game effectively captures the feelings of social anxiety and awkwardness, making it relatable for many players.
- The art style is charming and unique, blending hand-drawn characters with real-world backgrounds, enhancing the overall experience.
- It's a short, free game that provides a meaningful narrative in under 20 minutes, making it accessible for those looking for a quick yet impactful experience.
- The gameplay can be clunky and some mini-games are confusing, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.
- The game is very short, which some players feel limits its potential and leaves them wanting more.
- There are reports of bugs and crashes that can hinder the experience, making it frustrating for some players.
story
57 mentions Positive Neutral NegativeThe story of "Just, bearly" is a short, relatable narrative that explores themes of anxiety and social awkwardness through the experiences of an anxious bear, resonating with many players' personal struggles. While the game employs minimal dialogue and relies heavily on symbolism and art style, it effectively conveys its message, making it a heartwarming and insightful experience. Despite some critiques regarding its presentation, the overall consensus highlights the game's charm and emotional depth, making it a worthwhile play for those seeking a unique storytelling experience.
“The story itself is short and sweet, and I'd like to see more from this developer.”
“It does an excellent job capturing the feeling of social awkwardness and anxiety with a simple but great story that is coherent without needing dialogue.”
“The artwork is absolutely beautiful and unique as is the story and every story for people with social anxiety.”
“It's really disappointing to see a free game with a lot of potential to tell a story, but doesn't even work for some people.”
“It's short and tries to tell its story without any dialogue; which is why I'm still not sure what point the game was trying to make, if any; then again I've never really gotten 'art', so maybe more artsy people would enjoy this one more than me.”
“The player figuring out the story feels more like an easter egg than the actual 'egg' achievement.”