Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

You cannot g’wasp how good this game is. Bee-lieve me

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Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is a charming adventure RPG with puzzle-solving and turn-based combat. Play as a team of three bug explorers, Venture, Kabbu, and Moti, on a quest to find the magical Everlasting Sapling. Explore various areas, battle enemies, and uncover hidden secrets in this nostalgic, story-driven game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,653 reviews

story1,210 positive mentions

grinding188 negative mentions

Bug Fables expands on the classic Paper Mario gameplay, offering a rich story and diverse characters.
The combat system is engaging and strategic, allowing for various builds and playstyles through the use of medals.
The game features a charming art style, a fantastic soundtrack, and a wealth of side content that enhances the overall experience.

Some platforming and puzzle mechanics can feel clunky and frustrating, particularly in certain chapters.
The difficulty curve can be inconsistent, with some sections feeling too easy while others spike dramatically.
The story, while enjoyable, can feel simplistic and lacks the depth found in some other RPGs.

story
2,971 mentions
41 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling" is widely praised for its charm, engaging characters, and well-crafted narrative that evolves throughout the game. Players appreciate the depth of character development, particularly for the main trio—Kabbu, Vi, and Leif—whose personal quests add emotional weight to the overall plot. While the main storyline follows a familiar RPG structure of collecting artifacts, it is enriched by numerous side quests that provide meaningful context and humor, making the game feel both expansive and rewarding.
- “The story is fantastic and kept me interested for hours and then some!”
- “The story, characters, mechanics, everything ties together to make it a very worthy purchase for the price ever so much its almost like stealing it at this point.”
- “The story is engaging and somehow both grounded, fantastical and funny at the same time.”
- “My only complaint is the length; the story never really ramps up beyond mildly interesting, so it becomes a slog 3/4ths of the way through.”
- “The story is nothing extraordinary, but it was enjoyable.”
- “The story, while not being super deep, is still great, and while I can't talk about one of the biggest things learned about the game in depth due to it being an amazing surprise that I don't want to ruin, I can say that the story was good and worked well.”
gameplay
1,687 mentions
37 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Bug Fables" is widely praised for its engaging turn-based combat, which builds upon the mechanics of the classic Paper Mario series while introducing unique elements like a three-character party system and a medal customization feature. Players appreciate the strategic depth and challenge, especially on harder difficulty settings, although some find certain mechanics frustrating or lacking in variety. Overall, the game successfully combines nostalgia with fresh ideas, making it a compelling experience for both fans of the genre and newcomers alike.
- “It expands so much on the Paper Mario gameplay to tell its own story, with a really diverse and interesting group of characters and a pretty solid story!”
- “Lovely game, it proposes a particular twist on turn-based RPG mechanics (the heavy reliance on buffs and debuffs, weaknesses that need a specific party member, the level-up and medal system...) that can be frustrating at times, but very satisfying when you understand it and use it properly.”
- “A truly phenomenal experience that surpasses the original Paper Mario games in gameplay, world design, characters, and writing.”
- “Combat is a slog, and some of the mechanics are idiotic.”
- “Thus, gameplay revolves heavily around your medal configuration, which could be interesting, except there's little variety and some are practically useless.”
- “The gameplay prevents me from wanting to continue any further, knowing what a chore moment to moment combat is.”
music
1,255 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Bug Fables" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and diverse soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere and emotional depth. Composed by Tristan Alric, the soundtrack features a mix of upbeat battle themes and ambient tracks that fit various environments, often drawing comparisons to the beloved "Paper Mario" series. While some tracks may feel repetitive after extended play, the overall quality and memorability of the music contribute significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “Soundtrack is chock-full of bangers, and the atmosphere of this game managed to be awe-inspiring and genuinely eerie at times.”
- “The music, characters, writing and story all come together perfectly to create a unique and wonderful world that quickly takes your attention.”
- “The music is sublime, every track so far being quite pleasing to listen to along with the familiar aesthetic design that went along with the old school games.”
- “And frankly I think the music is really bad most of the time.”
- “Clearly whoever wrote the music knows their theory but, on the other hand, they rely on crutches too much and can't construct coherent melody and accompaniment.”
- “My one complaint is that Paper Mario 1/TTYD had really distinct soundtracks that made them stand out, and the music in this game sometimes just sounds like Undertale more than anything, which is unfortunate.”
graphics
738 mentions
39 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Bug Fables" are widely praised for their charming, paper-like aesthetic reminiscent of classic titles like "Paper Mario." While some players note that the visuals can appear simplistic or dated, many appreciate the colorful and cute art style that enhances the game's whimsical world and characters. Overall, the graphics effectively capture the nostalgic feel of early 2000s RPGs, contributing to the game's endearing charm and accessibility.
- “The art style is lovely.”
- “The graphics emulate what made Paper Mario work so successfully to a T.”
- “The graphics are charming, the story and characters are engaging (at least for me), and the combat is great.”
- “The graphics are very 'early 2000s', and from my limited experience I'm not sure whether the story will develop into something cool.”
- “The graphics leave something to be desired, sure, but the team really invested in this stylistic choice, going the step further by making it look like everything is a paper cutout of an illustrated book fable, giving even more strength to the title and helping it achieve cute and memorable visuals.”
- “My only complaints are the graphics; the characters are fine but the environments do kind of look poor, and there seems to be one or two enemy types per area which are obnoxious and are not fun to fight.”
humor
396 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling" is widely praised for its charming and witty dialogue, reminiscent of classic Paper Mario games. Players appreciate the lovable characters and their interactions, which often lead to hilarious moments and heartfelt exchanges. While some feel the humor may not be as consistently strong as in its inspirations, the game successfully blends lightheartedness with emotional depth, making for an engaging and entertaining experience.
- “Hilarious characters, great dialogue, fun adventures and challenging battles!”
- “The characters are lovable and well-developed, and the dialogue is filled with humor and heart.”
- “The writing is phenomenal, the characters can be hilarious but also genuinely care for each other, genuinely trying to help in their hardest moments.”
emotional
200 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling" is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from laughter to tears. The game's characters are described as endearing and relatable, with well-crafted narratives that explore themes of friendship, courage, and personal growth, often leading to genuinely touching moments. Overall, the game is celebrated for its heartwarming story, charming art style, and the emotional depth that resonates with players, making it a memorable experience.
- “The narrative is surprisingly deep, touching on themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of teamwork.”
- “It manages to have some of the most emotionally charged and touching scenes out of anything I've ever read and played, and has what I think I'd consider my favorite character of all time.”
- “The story of Bug Fables is not the whimsical self-aware rigmarole of Peach's capture and rescue, but the personal emotional journey of its protagonists.”
grinding
200 mentions
3 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding certain elements, such as combat, item management, and side quests, to be tedious and repetitive. While some appreciate the lack of mandatory grinding for experience points, others feel that the need to gather resources and complete numerous side quests can lead to a frustratingly grindy experience, especially on harder difficulty settings. Overall, the game offers a blend of enjoyable content and tedious tasks, making the grinding experience feel uneven.
- “Highly recommend for anyone who wants a Paper Mario nostalgia trip or a decent turn-based RPG that isn't too grindy.”
- “I just beat the game after 30 hours (no grinding for experience, it's just filled with content) and I intend to do the hidden bosses and all the side missions I skipped.”
- “The side quests aren't too tedious and are often enjoyable, and many of them actually tie into the main story.”
- “So much of this game is just tedious for the sake of being tedious.”
- “The quests are tedious, especially ones that send you back through cleared areas over and over looking for something that wasn't there before.”
- “Battles quickly became tedious and frustrating by the mid-game, where I effectively had to burn through my entire TP if I didn’t want to wage a war of attrition — one I would inevitably lose, because HP growth is also exceedingly slow.”
character development
174 mentions
44 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
Character development in "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling" is widely praised for its depth and richness, with players noting the well-crafted personalities and backstories of the main trio—Kabbu, Vi, and Leif. The game excels in portraying genuine growth and emotional arcs, allowing players to form strong attachments to the characters as they navigate their individual struggles and develop meaningful friendships. Overall, the character interactions and development are highlighted as standout features that enhance the storytelling experience, making it a worthy successor to classic titles like Paper Mario.
- “The character development is rich and not fast-paced or forced; you can really see and experience firsthand what the characters have been through.”
- “The game has a lovable cast of characters with in-depth personalities that make the world of Bug Fables feel alive, and the protagonists face points of deep character development throughout the story.”
- “There is proper character development as well, and each character has a side arc delving into their backstory or past traumas, helping to further their characterization -- each of Kabbu, Vi, and Leif feel like genuine characters, and their dialogue is just top-notch.”
- “Once you’ve declared they’re bestest friends forever after knowing each other for five minutes, no more tension or character development is possible.”
- “I know what they aimed for with her, but the character development was lost in execution.”
- “Puzzles, necessary items for quests, combat, and character development were just all over the place by the time I completed the story.”
stability
74 mentions
5 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The game has received mixed feedback regarding its stability, with many users noting it is "very buggy" and experiencing various gameplay issues, including platforming challenges and achievement tracking problems. However, some players appreciate the charm of the game despite its bugs, suggesting that while there are numerous minor glitches, they do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a notable concern, but it is balanced by its engaging content and character design.
- “Runs great on my 2080ti!”
- “Encountered no glitches yet, though plenty of bugs; the game is called Bug Fables, of course there's gonna be bugs.”
- “Bug free game”
- “This game is very buggy.”
- “My one complaint is how buggy this game is.”
- “The game itself also absolutely oozes quality, out of the 40+ hours I played I only encountered hundreds of bugs... and not a single one of them had anything to do with glitches.”
replayability
72 mentions
42 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its strategic battle mechanics, various challenge modes, and the ability to unlock new gameplay experiences through secret codes and character name inputs. Players can enjoy a wealth of optional quests, collectibles, and different difficulty settings, making it particularly appealing for completionists and those seeking to experiment with gameplay variations. Overall, it is highly recommended for those looking for a game with substantial replay value and engaging content.
- “There's even a bunch of replay value with the game by getting secret codes and starting a new game with those codes to begin a whole new challenge with the game.”
- “The regular game is long enough as is, but with tons of optional quests, locations, and more (plus a healthy amount of replay value), you can get an absolute ton of content out of this game, and it lasted me for a long while.”
- “This game rewards smart thinking and strategy, and this aspect also greatly helps with replayability.”
- “There is a lot to do after you finish the game, but after you do them, there really isn't much replay value in it.”
- “I'm also unsure quite how much replayability there is in Bug Fables, but at the time of writing this, I finished the main story in about 30 hours of gameplay, including exploring and doing some (but not all) quests along the way.”
- “Overall, this game is definitely worth picking up, and while there are some games out there that provide more value and replayability for your money (such as Minecraft or Stardew Valley), this game is still definitely worth buying.”
atmosphere
46 mentions
30 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its blend of cozy, whimsical, and eerie elements, reminiscent of classic titles like Paper Mario. The soundtrack enhances the experience, with memorable tracks that suit various situations, while the art style and character design contribute to a vibrant world. Overall, players appreciate the engaging lore and immersive environment, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “The soundtrack is atmospheric and memorable, while suiting each location and/or situation that you will be in throughout this game and its eight chapters.”
- “Loved the atmosphere of the game and the overall lore felt fully fleshed out and held my attention at every step of the way, which is not something you see that often anymore in games nowadays. Great work all around and thank you for the experience!”
- “The world/atmosphere is consistently cozy, mysterious, and at times tense.”
- “Wasps!! has been stuck in my head for a week and the music from the giant's lair gives it such an eerie atmosphere that hasn't been matched by anything I've played since Portal 2.”
- “While the story isn't high tier, it is enough to keep most somewhat invested; the atmosphere has been captured, for me at least!”
optimization
19 mentions
47 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" is generally praised, with players noting smooth performance, stability, and beautiful visuals, provided minimum system requirements are met. While not flawless, the game avoids clunky mechanics and bugs, offering a satisfying combat experience that encourages strategic thinking. Overall, it delivers a fun and comfortable gameplay experience.
- “It's a complete, optimized game that gives you an overall fun and comfortable experience.”
- “Add all this silky-smooth performance, a splendid soundtrack, and turn-based combat that's never less than engaging, and you've got a surefire winner here.”
- “Not perfect optimization, necessarily, but since the game doesn't give out standard damage increases as the story progresses (something that was standard in Paper Mario), figuring out how to tip the damage scales back to your favor to basically melt enemies felt so satisfying to eventually pull off once I figured it out.”
- “Some strategies may be more optimized than others, but without doing any guide work, I found methods to combat any scenario in the game.”
- “Performance: as long as you meet anywhere above the minimum specs, you will have no problems whatsoever.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's monetization approach stands out in a market filled with exploitative practices, offering a refreshing experience that prioritizes gameplay over profit-driven tactics. Players appreciate its focus on genuine enjoyment rather than cash grabs or manipulative systems.