Bugsnax – Silliness and Sentient Snacks on Snaktooth Island

“The smaller the creature, the bolder its spirit.” – Suzy Kassem

Overview

Bugsnax takes players on an adventure to Snaktooth Island, home of the legendary bugsnax, which are half bug, half snack. Invited by an infamous explorer, the player arrives to find her camp in disarray and must reunite her followers and uncover the mysteries of the island.

Narrative

Elizabert Megafig has invited the player, a renowned journalist, to Snaktooth Island to document her expedition to discover and research bugsnax. However, on arrival in Snaktooth Island, she is missing, and her followers, a host of grumpuses, have deserted the camp. The elusive bugsnax are an unusual cross between a bug or critter and a snack, such as a half moth, half pizza (mothza), a crab crossed with an apple (crapple) or a mix of spider and French fries (fryder). The player must find a way to return the grumpuses to the camp, discover what has happened to Elizabert and her assistant Eggabell, as well as reveal the Island’s secrets and work out the enigma of the bugsnax themselves.

The narrative is told largely through dialogue and the gameplay itself, telling a slightly silly but engaging story that fits well with both the aesthetic and the mechanics. The various eclectic characters, such as the straight-talking Farmer Wambus, enthusiastic archaeologist Triffany, and insufferable “influencer” Beffany, are all unique and have interesting personalities, interests, and histories. They add a lot of entertainment value to the experience as a whole and are a lot of fun.

Gameplay

Bugsnax gameplay is quite varied. There are a number of main quests to embark on, as well as side quests, interviewing returning grumpuses, and mailed task requests. Players will find themselves seeking specific bugsnax, spying on grumpuses, and discovering new areas as well as customising their own hut with rewards. The main activity, however, is discovering and capturing different bugsnax. Each area contains a unique selection of bugsnax, meaning there is a vast overall variety. Grumpuses like to eat the bugsnax, but feeding them results in their gradual limb-by-limb transformation into snacks.

Catching bugsnax is akin to a puzzle game; they all have different characteristics, such as loves, hates, and behaviours and will need different techniques and tools to be caught. For example, one might like ketchup, hate chocolate and burrow underground or spit fire. The player is equipped with various pieces of equipment as they progress, starting with a basic snaktrap that can be set up and then activated when a bugsnax is close. Other devices include a snakgrappler, a lunchpad, and a catapult for firing different sauces.

The player can log progress in their journal, which contains a map, bugsnax catalogue, quest log, mail list, and inventory. When spotting a new bugsnax, it can be scanned, which will list it in the catalogue. It’ll also show if one has been caught and if one has been donated and is in captivity in the camp.

The quests and tasks have a good amount of variety and are satisfying to complete, and the collectathon aspect of the game is highly engaging and enjoyable. The combination, along with the compelling, albeit casual narrative and its inherent mysteries, makes for somewhat addictive gameplay.

Styling

Bugsnax is presented in a vibrant 3D art style using a somewhat saturated colour palette that matches the upbeat gameplay and general silliness. The scenery is vivid and varied, with nine different zones to explore, such as Sugarpine Wood, Scorched Grove, and Flavour Falls. There is also a vast variety of bugsnax available to find, each with a fun design pairing a snack food and a type of bug. The different bugsnax include snaquiri, shishkabug, hunnabee, and cinnasnail. The bugsnax are a highlight of the game, along with the different character designs and the way each grumpus changes after being fed the edible critters.

The soundtrack is suitably upbeat, and the selection of tracks sits nicely in the background, adding a jolly atmosphere to the experience. The sound effects are varied and consist of both ambient sounds that bring the locations and scenes to life, but also the delightfully cute noises of the bugsnax.

Summary

Bugsnax is a fantastic game; colourful, jolly, and fairly relaxing, whilst boasting a simple but engaging narrative and satisfying and varied gameplay. The visual and audio elements are perfectly suited to the game’s mechanics and the story, with the vibrant art style and cute sound effects. The NPCs are all fun and interesting characters and there is an overarching silliness inherent in all aspects of the experience that really makes the game stand out. There are some trickier parts of the game, usually relating to the capture of certain bugsnax, but on the whole, it is pretty laid back and relaxing. I got a lot of enjoyment from this game and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for an amusing adventure game with a focus on collecting adorable (and occasionally aggressive) edible critters!

Enjoy games with a collectathon aspect? You may also be interested in these reviews:
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge – A Charming Farming Sim Full of Cute Frogs! – Spirit City: Lofi Sessions – Productivity but Wholesome, Fun, and Relaxing! – Alba: A Wildlife Adventure – Photograph Animals, Save an Island!

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