In this spacious world filled with tiny planets and strange lights that sprout everywhere. The beings grow, and grow, and just keep on growing eternally. This universe is filled with beings, and each one has their own story. The Bear: A Story from the world of Gra is a brand new game from Mucks! Games. This German studio is made up of a trio of developers straight out of school. They’ve just finished their degrees in interactive fiction, and this is their first completed project.

The Bear is an interactive bedtime storybook with a metaphorical story. These developers have created a whole world in which this game takes place. They are also working on an interactive light up puzzle book where you’ll meet new character from the world of Gra. This world is filled with small planets, a space in which beings can swim, and so much more. In Gra beings starts tiny, but they grow, and keep growing to an enormous size. This particular narrative talks about a tiny young character, a bear, and the friendship that develops between them. The young being finds the bear while exploring a tunnel. This bear has been sleeping for too long, and he doesn’t want to move. Our young protagonist convinces the bear to move a little, and to finally get up out of his comfort zone. As their friendship forms, the bear, tentatively at first, agrees to explore beyond his own planet. They travel across the universe together, and meet interesting characters, each with their own touching story. I’ll let you uncover the rest of this captivating story on your own because the discovery is a big part of the experience.

The Bear encompass many themes; finding a place where you belong, friendship, growth, and even letting go. The latter is probably one of the toughest universal lesson we all have to learn at in time. Eventually you’ll have to make some difficult decisions. The game is short. It took me around forty-five minutes to complete, however there are divergent storylines that you can take to lengthen gameplay. When all was said and done, I had spent a little more than an hour to see everything the game has to offer. It’s not meant to be long, but instead to be enjoyed in small sessions every night. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the world of Gra. The story is emotional, and with its universal themes everyone will be able to relate.

There are five chapters that you can view at your own pace. The second, third, and fourth chapters each have two branching paths. Your choices don’t affect the next chapter. If you want to experience the branch you didn’t take, you won’t have to go through the whole story again, you can do so from the chapter’s selection screen.

The artwork is beautiful, and perfectly suited to a bedtime story with its dark muted color scheme. All the animations are hand-drawn and give off a melancholic vibe that flawlessly expresses the storyline. The soundtrack is soothing, and created to lull you to sleep, and I loved listening to it. It was very relaxing. The animations, color scheme, and beautiful soundtrack all work in concert to create a riveting experience.

The gameplay is limited as it should be for a bedtime story, and players expecting a lot of interactive elements might be disappointed. You have to drag the bear to move him, and click to move the young being. It’s all about knowing when to move the right character and where.

The Bear is a bedtime story with a philosophical narrative. It’s perfect to fall asleep to. You can go through the whole story in one sitting or make it last and play a chapter every night. It’s both a game and an interactive piece of fiction, but also so much more. It’s an experience. Everyone will see something different, but to me it’s about finding this special friend that is always there to give you a boost when you’re down, and just makes your life better. This emotional story incorporates so many universal themes that it will speak to people of all ages and creed. It’s what makes it so special. Whether you’re here for the game, the bedtime story or the art, this game will leave you reflecting on your own life while you are lull to sleep by its comforting soundtrack, and relaxing atmosphere.

Positives

• Narrative encompasses universal themes
• Beautiful hand-drawn animation
• Soothing soundtrack

Negatives

• Limited interactions