~it's 10 levels and is meant to be played and heard all the way through in one sitting.  there's no way to lose 

~each level ends and moves onto the next one at the end of each song

~there are some secrets

***mac version only works if you install it through the itch app!! if you receive a download key from buying a record, download the app and enter url at the top!

use the arrow keys to move
press "z" to jump on levels 2,4,7,8, and 9
press "p" to pause
if you meet any dogs make sure to pet them
press "f" for full screen on mac and pc build

free to play in browser
if playing in browser, it's best to use google chrome in full screen (only works on computer)

Justin of "We Be Friends Records" helped me to re-record the music in his studio to bring it to a higher fidelity (the game features the original lo fi recordings) and we did a few additional songs not featured in the game.  This is available on a vinyl record that includes a printed instruction manual for the game which can be purchased here:
https://webefriends.bandcamp.com/album/bear-in-the-snow

download of the game via itch includes a pdf of the instruction manual

 



    

game is also included in indieocalypse #47!
https://pizzapranks.itch.io/indiepocalypse-47

Updated 7 days ago
StatusIn development
PlatformsWindows, macOS, HTML5
Rating
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
(3 total ratings)
AuthorThe Spookfish
GenrePlatformer
Made withGameMaker
Tagsartgame, Atmospheric, Bullet Hell, Indie, Lo-fi, Relaxing, Side Scroller, Spooky, Surreal

Download

Download NowName your own price

Click download now to get access to the following files:

bear in the snow instruction manual.pdf 6 MB
bear in the snow by the spookfish for mac.zip 382 MB
bear in the snow by the spookfish for windows.zip 377 MB

Development log

Comments

Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.

Powerful fuzzy feelings tinged with genuine melancholy.  

It feels like it was released by K records in the mid90s.   Truly wonderful game. 

This game changed my life!!!!!!!!!!

This feels like it was made in a bygone era.

(+1)

It's easy to underestimate this game. It's so weird to try and quantify the experience you get when you play it.  More than once, I had this kind of dread that I wasn't going to enjoy a portion of the experience only to be delighted both with the music and the art. Some of the transitions of perception will genuinely catch you off guard and leaving you thinking "that was really cool but was it on purpose?"

By the end I was convinced that Bear in the Snow is too thoughtful and cohesive to be coincidence. If you liked the game Passage by Jason Rohrer, you'll dig this experience.