Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit’s NPCs are a conversation between developer and player

polygon.com:

In the world of Cozy Grove, it won’t be long before you have a favorite bear. Most of the non-player characters in Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit, the sequel to Cozy Grove that was released to Netflix users on June 25, are bear-shaped ghosts reckoning with the life they lived, whether that reflection is tinged with pride, or fear, or even unresolved arguments.

The bears also need your help — you’ll spend the game running errands around the haunted island, aiding the spirits in processing their deaths. Some want to teach you skills they mastered when they were alive, others want your advice on resolving conflicts, and still others just need someone to listen to their story for the first time. Their melancholic stories are told through cheeky dialogue that propelled me through my playthrough of the first game, and their creation speaks to the care with which the developers at Spry Fox treat their characters.

Camp Spirit’s notable bears include Kumari and Medvarius, former business partners with very different philosophies; Kyli, the streamer/influencer who can’t stop thinking about their listenership; and Bunch, the chef illustrated as a box of colored pencils. Spry Fox presents these bears’ tragic stories with levity that feels organic: Kumari takes potshots at Medvarius before sharing that she feels betrayed by his greed. Kyli touts their confidence and fame until they have to admit that nobody is listening to their podcast. The interactions are realistic to the way an acquaintance or neighbor might share vulnerable moments with someone they just met.

Some bears open up right away, almost desperate to share their legacies. Others refuse anything more than pleasantries until you’ve shown them that you’re consistent, helpful, and kind. Most fall somewhere in between — just like humans, said lead writer Jamie Antonisse in a recent interview with Polygon.

“There are some bears, like some people, who are never going to be comfortable with a hug. That’s a little spoiler for