Precision Platformer with a twist, Grapple Bear, is out now

Those who have been around long enough will know that I enjoy games that do something differently, something refreshing that can stand out among the Rogue-likes/lites, Metroidvanias, and Souls-likes. Publisher HaviEgyJatek and developer ProkischDaniel might just have done that with the platformer and their new game, Grapple Bear. A precision platformer in which you play as a bear with a grappling hook. Indeed, I raised an eyebrow at that too. Here is what the press release had to say:

“Grapple Bear launch[ed] on Steam [Thursday], challenging players to master a grapple-only movement system across 40+ handcrafted, hand-drawn levels. A new trailer is live now, giving players a first look at the dangerous world ahead. Once the story’s done, global leaderboards and weekly procedurally generated challenges are waiting to find out who is the very best. Grapple Bear is priced at £3.99/€4.99/$4.99. Grapple Bear is the second game to launch under Season 1 of the HEJ Collective, the Hungarian indie label supporting developers through monthly game-creation challenges and mentorship.”

On Grapple Bear itself, the press release notes, “A mama bear searching for her lost cub. A grapple hook is her only way forward. Grapple Bear is a precision platformer where your grappling hook is your only tool to move. Swing, launch, and cling your way through over 40 handcrafted levels as a determined mama bear searching for her lost cub. What starts as a simple journey quickly becomes a test of precision and survival as increasingly dangerous obstacles stand in your way.

Simple controls. Brutal challenges. And something is following you. Your journey will take you through peaceful forests with gentle streams (unfortunately, bears can’t swim), crumbling ruins of an ancient civilisation, scorching lava-filled caverns, wind-swept cliffs where a single mistake can send you flying, and mysterious wormholes that bend reality. Every area introduces new mechanics, hazards[,] and surprises.

Think you found the perfect route? Compare your best times on global leaderboards and challenge your friends to beat your records. Every second counts. And when you’re done with the story, a brand new procedurally generated level drops every week with its own leaderboard. No two weeks are the same. Every visual in Grapple Bear began as a hand-drawn illustration on paper, digitally coloured and brought to life. No AI artwork. Every level, character and environment was crafted by hand.“

For the price, the size, the idea, the lack of AI (a big positive), and just the way the publisher and developer talk about it, the price of a coffee is nothing to sniff at. Between 4-5 bucks, which is 75% off the price for the likes of other precision platformer darlings like Celeste, that’s a steal and a lovely little idea. For that price and with such a refreshing look to platforming, I can’t Grapple Bear enough, not to mention the 10% discount until the 24th of July.