Just, Bearly

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…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 331 reviews

story19 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

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 Negative
33%
62%
5%
The 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.”
graphics
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
38%
8%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique and beautiful art style that blends hand-drawn elements with real-world images, creating a charming and relatable aesthetic. While some players find the graphics simplistic, they appreciate the overall visual presentation and how it enhances the storytelling experience. The art style is frequently praised for its cuteness and originality, contributing positively to the game's emotional impact.
- “The art style is beautiful and cute!!”
- “Overall, a relatable game with beautiful graphics and lovable characters.”
- “The artwork is absolutely beautiful and unique, as is the story for people with social anxiety.”
- “The graphics are pretty simple with hand-drawn art mixed with real-world images.”
- “The graphics are extraordinarily simple, which didn't impact my enjoyment of the game, but it's something you should be aware of.”
- “For what it's worth, the aesthetic of the blend feels right, but only half the time...the rest of the time, it simply feels awkward.”
gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
65%
13%
The gameplay is characterized by a diverse range of mechanics, from reaction-based challenges to rhythm games, showcasing the developers' creativity and enhancing the narrative experience. While some players appreciate the unique and relatable gameplay elements, others find the controls clunky and the mechanics occasionally unclear. Overall, the gameplay is described as short, simple, and effective in conveying its themes, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its quirky and sometimes awkward execution.
- “From reaction-based challenges to rhythm games, the diverse gameplay elements showcase the developers' creativity and keep the experience dynamic.”
- “It provides a strong foundation for the characters and their amusing antics, ensuring that the gameplay remains enjoyable and the narrative compelling.”
- “Unique gameplay, relatable as funny/awkward situations (my favorite was the double door that does not open in any direction - the social version of USB not fitting), a nice little story and message, and everything can be finished in less than an hour.”
- “As far as gameplay goes, well, just take a look at the trailer provided above and you'll see pretty much everything the game has to offer.”
- “However, the gameplay is clunky, and the controls are all over the place... which is almost certainly by design, attempting to get you into the shoes/mind of someone for whom basic, simple interactions are fraught with mishap and misunderstanding.”
- “My only complaint would be that some of the mechanics for the mini games can be a little unclear.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and relatable storytelling, often evoking strong feelings and even tears from players. Reviewers highlight its wholesome messages, touching moments, and the effective contrast between its vibrant world and the nuanced experiences of its characters. Overall, the game is described as a short yet impactful experience that leaves a lasting emotional impression.
- “This artistic choice not only draws attention to the characters but also reinforces the thematic contrast between the vivid world and the more nuanced, emotional experiences of the characters.”
- “Conveyed very real (and as described, painfully relatable) situations and emotional/physical responses.”
- “A sweet and unique game, alternating between awfully relatable moments and heart-warming scenes.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
22%
17%
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with many players praising its quality and how well it complements the gameplay and art style. While some sound effects could use improvement, the overall soundtrack is described as delightful and engaging, enhancing the emotional experience of the game. Additionally, players express interest in purchasing the original soundtrack and art pack, indicating a strong appreciation for the music.
- “I absolutely love the music in this game!”
- “The art and music are phenomenal and kept me attached the whole time, doesn't take too long to work through so it's definitely worth checking out.”
- “The soundtrack meshes perfectly with the gameplay and art.”
- “It's a neat little game, still would've played it if it had a price tag, the art style is cute, though some of the sound effects and music could've used a bit more work.”
- “You won't get the full intended effect of the anxiety (loud, annoying noises, pulsing heartbeat, and dramatic music), but it will save your ears from sounds of pencil writing, alarm clocks, etc.”
- “What confuses me the most is there's paid DLC for the artwork and a song from the game, but every single review for that is claiming there's nothing being given to them.”
humor
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its humor, effectively blending comedy with themes of social anxiety and awkwardness. Players find it both funny and relatable, with many highlighting its cringe comedy and clever minigames that humorously depict everyday struggles. Overall, it delivers a lighthearted yet poignant experience that resonates with those familiar with social discomfort.
- “Overall, the game successfully balances humor and heart, proving that even the most anxious and comical scenarios can lead to meaningful experiences.”
- “Extremely funny cringe comedy game about a very awkward bear.”
- “The minigames are literally jokes, but they're funny ones, and they offer an insight into what it's like to be socially awkward.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
Overall, users report that the game has notable stability issues, with many describing it as "buggy" and experiencing crashes. While some players mention only minor glitches, the consensus indicates that the game could benefit from further stability improvements.
- “It's free and it's not very buggy; I found maybe a few.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any major crashes or glitches.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to focus on strategy rather than technical issues.”
- “It's known to be buggy without a fix, rumored to be caused by these crashes.”
- “It's a bit buggy, but still relatable.”
- “It has a few glitches, but nothing extreme.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often viewed as tedious and clunky, detracting from the overall experience despite praise for the art style and story. Many players find the grinding process boring, suggesting it may require excessive time investment.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “A bit too tedious and clunky for my liking, but the art style and story are pretty good.”
- “Nice art style, but boring and tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”