Bearnard

Genre: Turn-Based Strategy-RPG / Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

(Note: Review code provided by the kind folks at Untold Tales)

(Note: Included in the Bearnard + What Lies in the Multiverse bundle, along with What Lies in the Multiverse.)

Bearnard, released in 2025 on PC and Nintendo Switch, is a side-scrolling Turn-Based Strategy-RPG with some simple Platformer elements. In this game, players take the role of the titular Bearnard, an anthropomorphic bear, skilled archer, and son of a famous warrior who finds he must follow in his father’s footsteps and protect his home when the peace of his forest is threatened.

The presentation in this game uses colorful 2D pixel art visuals with multi-scrolling backgrounds. It’s nothing extraordinary, but there is some good pixel art for elements like trees. This is all joined by tongue-in-cheek narration with fourth wall breaks, and a soundtrack that’s oddly subdued with an apprehensive tone that doesn’t seem to match the cuddly visuals.

Perhaps that’s because they’re closer to the gameplay. Look, I enjoy Strategy-RPGs, so bear that in mind (ha) when I say that Bearnard is outright punishing, especially for a game with such a cutesy visual style. Players have only five health points by default and a limited number of actions per turn in which they must move to where they want, line up one or maybe two shots using the game’s physics-based trajectory system, and hope that their aim is true enough that those shots last. Even in the game’s opening tutorial, battles are often won by the skin of your teeth.

Players gradually acquire cards they can use for very temporary buffs or one-time attacks (not randomized – you can freely select them), but they can only hold eight of these cards at a time, and when you use one it is permanently removed from your inventory, meaning that even if you have an ability that can conclusively end a battle now, you may hesitate to make use of it because it means you won’t have that ability later. And if you use an ability to upgrade a shot and then miss that shot, you are simply out of luck.

I’ve gotta’ say, I just did not enjoy my time playing Bearnard. I can see how some would find the constant touch-and-go battles, the frequent worrying over whether or not to use cards, juggling the limited inventory of cards, and sweating bullets every time you need to risk a difficult shot with an upgraded ability… yeah, some people may see that as thrilling, but for me I just find it nerve-wracking. Unless you like your Strategy-RPGs tough, I wouldn’t recommend Bearnard.

tl;dr – Bearnard is a side-scrolling Turn-Based Strategy-RPG with Platformer elements where players fight enemies with a bow and arrow, carefully considering their trajectory with each attack. Despite the adorable presentation, the challenge level in this game is vicious, and it’s such a nerve-wracking experience I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone other than genre fans seeking a challenge.

Grade: C

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