The witch explains that the cursed bear Mor'du has been corrupting a series of waystones with his evil energy, leading to the appearance of hostile creatures.

The corruption has grown to the point that it even affects the witch's magic, making its effects unpredictable, thus explaining Elinor's newly-ursine form.

As Merida journeys through the land, she encounters her younger identical triplet brothers (Harris, Hubert, and Hamish), also transformed into bears, and her mother, gradually losing her humanity as the spell stays in effect.

After cleansing the last waystone in Mor'du's lair, Merida and her mother come face-to-face with the beast himself, with the princess finally defeating him after a long and arduous battle.

Gameplay also features puzzles, which are to be solved with the help of the triplets, and Queen Elinor, who is playable in her bear form in arena fights.