Bearnard + What Lies in the Multiverse

Genre: Compilation / Turn-Based Strategy-RPG / Platformer / Puzzle-Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

Bearnard + What Lies in the Multiverse, released in 2025 on Nintendo Switch, is a Compilation of the two named games.

I have previously separately reviewed these games. Here is what I thought of each of the games in this collection:

Game	Genre	# of Players	Score
Bearnard	Turn-Based Strategy-RPG / Platformer	1	C
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.
What Lies in the Multiverse	Puzzle-Platformer	1	B-
tl;dr What Lies in the Multiverse is a Puzzle-Platformer where players shift between multiple realities to get past obstacles and solve puzzles. The platforming here isn’t great, but the puzzle design is excellent, and the characters and story are wonderful, giving off a Rick and Morty vibe. If you’re a fan of Puzzle-Platformers, this one is well worth getting.

In short, I think that this is an uneven bundle, and What Lies in the Multiverse is definitely the stronger of the two games. It’s not perfect, with sub-par platforming, but the story, characters, and puzzles are great. By comparison, Bearnard’s vicious challenge level made for an experience I just couldn’t find enjoyable.

And before we even talk about value, we have to talk about the fact that What Lies in the Multiverse is already included in another bundle with a much better game packed in alongside it, Arise + What Lies in the Multiverse Bundle. However, complicating matters is the fact that the bundle in question isn’t a good value.

But back to that, how does the question of value stack up here? Well, buying the games separately costs $30, and this bundle costs… $30. Actually, the bundle costs a penny more. Yikes. Well, what about sale prices? Ah, well at least there you may be looking at a good deal here, since buying the games on sale separately will cost you $11-$12, while this bundle’s sale price is $8. That, incidentally, is less than the cost of Bearnard on its own, meaning that if you really want to get Bearnard, you’re better off getting this bundle on sale and getting a whole other game packaged in with it.

That said, I think that’s a really unusual situation you’re not likely in. And if you want to know whether I think you should get Bearnard + What Lies in the Multiverse… not really, no. Honestly, I think your best bet is just to get What Lies in the Multiverse on its own and skip Bearnard. However, if you have your heart set on getting both, then I suppose it’s worth getting this bundle when it goes on sale.

tl;dr – Bearnard + What Lies in the Multiverse is a Compilation containing the two named games, but of the two only What Lies in the Multiverse is really worth picking up. Still, this bundle is a good deal… when it’s on sale. Otherwise, I’d just suggest sticking to getting What Lies in the Multiverse on its own.

Grade: C+

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