Don’t Mess with Bober is one of those ridiculous games that will attract cult status. Its ridiculous ways will make you laugh, but don’t let this fool you. There are some classic jump scares and interesting dated mechanics that’ll amuse and entertain you throughout.
This first-person horror adventure was developed by Peace Studio and published by Axyos Games. It is a single-player and dark, sinister affair that is punctuated by crazy moments. It is almost slapstick in its design, and I adored the retro approach and the often OTT ways.
Don’t mess with Bober proves that you shouldn’t poke the beaver.
The hero has hit the countryside for some much-needed rest. However, this city lover can’t quite take to the rugged nature of the woods. Instead of leaving nothing but footprints, the haphazard protagonist decides to destroy the local beaver’s home. Bober isn’t best pleased, and he goes insane as a consequence.
To make matters worse, your friend knows that the local beaver is a bit of an angry beast. When he hears what you’ve done, he advises you to run for your life. Sadly, that is easier said than done as the demented beaver is hellbent on getting revenge!
You can run, but you can’t hide.
Don’t mess with Bober combines exploration elements with a sense of hide and seek. Sadly, there is no rest for the wicked as you run from place to place. After all, you are being chased by a rabid beaver who is pretty pissed off. You’ll move through forests, caves, and cabins as you stay in the shadow and avoid his devilish glare.
Alongside the cruel and chilling stealth elements are some fun moments. There is a fishing mini-game and plenty of narrow pathways to navigate. These claustrophobic environmental puzzles add a layer of tension as you must traverse them carefully while avoiding Bober.
Don’t Mess with Bober is dated.
I love retro games, and Don’t Mess with Bober took me back to the 80s. The rough textures, basic colours, and simple animation are great to look at. Although they may not impress lovers of modern titles, I think it looks and works perfectly.
The audio blends classic jump scare silence and sudden noises with calm ambient sounds. What may annoy some people is the use of AI voice acting. Sadly, it is a little wooden and subtitles don’t always match what is being said. Consequently, it is a shortcut that didn’t hit the mark.
Simple controls.
This doesn’t mess around with complex controls and unnecessary nonsense. Instead, it uses basic inputs to access doors, pick up items, and solve puzzles. Furthermore, moving around the map is a cinch, and if you take a wrong step, you are pushed in the right direction. Therefore, it doesn’t take long to master.
Replay value isn’t a feature to shout about. Once you’ve worked through the madness, there is little reason to return. However, if you are a completionist, there are collectables to search for if you wish to make your trek from Bober a bit harder.
Don’t Mess with Bober is fun but limited.
I don’t usually moan about AI, but the acting was terrible. This should have been addressed by the developer, but it wasn’t. Other than this complaint, I enjoyed Don’t Mess with Bober. It is pretty silly, and the dated aesthetic won’t be for everyone, but I enjoyed the change of pace. Accordingly, I think it’s good, and I recommend buying it here! Can you escape the wrath of the beaver? Avoid his gaze, hide in the shadows, and just keep running.
