Naughty Bear - boxed - PS3

Naughty Bear is a third-person action game with a theme similar to Happy Tree Friends or Conker's Bad Fur Day, in which cute plush toys act far more violently than they normally would - a mix of black humour and exaggerated violence. Players control the eponymous bear, aiming to earn as many points as possible by doing naughty things, which is generally a euphemism for killing other animals and destroying their belongings. The game takes place on Perfection Island, where teddy bears live happily. Naughty is an outcast because of his behaviour and is the only one not invited to Daddles's birthday party. He tries to go anyway and puts together a gift for the occasion, but his gift is mocked by two other bears, Chubby and Giggles, and he returns home sullen, plotting revenge.

The game unfolds over the course of seven episodes, which are in turn divided into various missions. Each mission has several objectives to complete, such as killing a specific bear, beating the time limit, collecting gifts, or remaining undetected (Naughty Bear can hold a leafy branch in front of his face to hide). Completing these objectives and killing other bears is rewarded with points, which open bridges or gates to new areas. In this way, trophies (bronze, silver, gold) can be collected throughout the game, which unlock new levels depending on the score achieved and grant additional costumes, improved abilities and badges. If the mischief continues uninterrupted, a multiplier builds up. Each chapter is its own story segment, showing how the naughty bear is spied on by birds or not invited to a cooking class.

The naughty bear attacks with knives, golf clubs, meat cleavers, machetes and rifles - breaking into cabins, running through the forest and hacking away at anything he encounters. These weapons can be picked up within the levels, and there is also the option of setting traps and using context-sensitive weapons, for example via car doors or by sabotaging phone lines and getaway vehicles. This also allows for a more tactical approach: sneaking around, staying undetected and luring other bears in his direction by sabotaging their everyday objects. Chasing the bears is sometimes trickier, as they can warn the others or barricade themselves inside their homes. Each weapon has a finishing move that can be used when another bear is injured. There are normal bears, but tougher ninja, zombie, cop and alien bears are introduced in later levels. One button is used to attack, and repeated tapping builds up a combo. Naughty Bear can also dodge and use a scare attack. Through repeated torment and pursuit of others, bears can even become suicidal and beat themselves up. Most objects can be smashed or destroyed, for example by throwing them into a toilet.

Multiplayer is supported with four different modes. Besides the simple deathmatch (Assault), there is Cakewalk (holding onto a golden cake for as long as possible), Golden Oozy (gaining control of a powerful weapon) and Jelly Wars (collecting jellies faster than opponents).