Bug & Seek

Play in Arcadia

Get on Steam

Get on itch.io Store

Catch bugs and clues in this cozy bug-catching simulator, styled like an 8-bit classic. You’ve bought the local bug museum, abandoned after a mysterious robbery. Fill orders, build your collection, and upgrade your skills and equipment while exploring Buggburg and uncovering its secrets.

Genres & Tags

Play Now

Play Modes

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

Reviews

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 103 reviews

story6 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game is a charming and relaxing experience, perfect for bug lovers and those who enjoy collecting.
It features a wide variety of bugs with detailed descriptions, making it both fun and educational.
The developers are passionate and responsive to community feedback, enhancing the overall experience.

Gameplay can become repetitive, as the core mechanic involves simply catching bugs without much variation.
There are notable glitches, particularly with the shop and inventory management, which can hinder the experience.
Some players feel the game lacks depth and challenge, making it feel somewhat flavorless after extended play.

story
24 mentions
25 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The story in the game is described as cozy and engaging, with a mix of predictable elements and unexpected mysteries that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the lighthearted quests and humorous NPC interactions, although some feel the main plot could be more integrated into the bug-catching mechanics. Overall, the narrative provides a fun backdrop for the creature-collecting activities, making it suitable for both children and adults seeking a stress-free gaming experience.
- “Overall, Bug & Seek is a wonderful, cozy game, equipped with easy-to-learn mechanics, cute art, and an interesting story!”
- “The story so far is also very interesting, and this game has a mystery aspect that I hadn't originally expected, but I greatly enjoy.”
- “It's not just catching bugs; there's a story as well, and it's super fun to upgrade your equipment and try to find new bugs.”
- “The story had a very predictable ending; I guessed it from the start, so when it actually happened, it wasn't surprising at all.”
- “I had some missions, and it was hard to find certain bugs because there was literally no context.”
- “Your goal is kind of to fill your bug book with all the species, but there is also plot, although it's plot you have to go a little out of your way to find.”
gameplay
12 mentions
42 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Bug & Seek" is characterized by a relaxing and cozy experience focused on collecting insects, enhanced by charming pixel art and a user-friendly interface. While the mechanics are simple and easy to learn, some players find the gameplay can become repetitive due to its "finish this list" nature, primarily involving repetitive actions like collecting bugs. Overall, it offers a satisfying and enjoyable loop, particularly appealing to younger audiences without being overly simplistic.
- “The core gameplay loop is pretty relaxing, and I like discovering all the little bugs.”
- “Not only is the game entirely about real-life insects, with lovely pixel art and descriptions for each bug you find, but the mechanics overall just feel so nice.”
- “Overall, Bug & Seek is a wonderful, cozy game, equipped with easy-to-learn mechanics, cute art, and an interesting story.”
- “But the actual gameplay is... well, isn't.”
- “My only main criticism is the gameplay itself can get a little repetitive, because the main aspect here is to (obviously) collect bugs, which ultimately boils down to walking up to a tree, hitting space, clicking rapidly, then walking up to a bench, hitting space, clicking rapidly, rinse, dry, repeat.”
- “I'm still only in the first season of the game (summertime) so I'll update this review if the gameplay changes in other sections.”
graphics
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The graphics feature a charming pixel-art style that enhances the game's casual and relaxing atmosphere, with a vibrant color scheme and thoughtful details in the bug designs. While some users feel the visuals could use improvement, many appreciate the polished and lively presentation, particularly the detailed sprites and playful taglines associated with the bugs. Overall, the graphics are considered cute and well-suited for the game's theme.
- “The music and simple graphics are charming, the bugs you can collect are from all corners of the world and each have their own sprites and cute little tagline (with lots of puns) and you can decorate your own little bug museum for the townsfolk to gawk at your glorious collection.”
- “There are a ton of bugs to collect, each with pretty detailed artwork for a pixel game.”
- “The graphics appear to be simple pixel art at first glance, but there's a lot of life and polish in there when you're in-game.”
- “The visuals (mainly color scheme and lighting) would benefit immensely from a step-up.”
- “The graphics appear to be simple pixel art at first glance, but there's a lot of life and polish in there when you're in-game.”
- “It has a fairly basic pixel-art style going for it, which is a stylistic choice that works for casual relaxing games like this.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits a fair number of glitches and bugs, but none are game-breaking, allowing players to enjoy a routine experience once they adapt. Overall, while stability issues are present, they do not significantly detract from the enjoyment of the game.
- “There are a fair amount of glitches and bugs, but none of them are game-breaking if you avoid exploiting infinite money glitches.”
- “This game feels like a mix of Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, but it has a lot of bugs that can be frustrating.”
- “The game has a charming routine and enjoyable music, but the numerous bugs can detract from the overall experience.”
music
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and relaxing quality, enhancing the overall experience of bug hunting. Players find it engaging and meditative, contributing to a delightful atmosphere that complements the game's simple graphics and playful bug collection mechanics.
- “The music and simple graphics are charming; the bugs you can collect are from all corners of the world and each have their own sprites and cute little tagline (with lots of puns). You can decorate your own little bug museum for the townsfolk to gawk at your glorious collection.”
- “I wasn't sure bug hunting was going to be a thing I wanted to do, but you get hooked in with the chill music and tone, and before you know it, I'm picking up beetles and bugs as if it's a meditation.”
- “It's like a little routine you can repeat once you get into the swing of it; the music is great and the buggy descriptions are fun.”
- “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
- “While the graphics are charming, the music feels out of place and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
- “The soundtrack is forgettable and doesn't contribute to the atmosphere of the game.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its wholesome and cozy atmosphere, creating an emotionally uplifting experience for players. Despite some minor roughness, the developers are responsive to community feedback, enhancing the overall enjoyment and emotional connection to the game. Its cute and addicting gameplay further contributes to a positive emotional impact.
- “This game is so cute, cozy, and wholesome.”
- “Really enjoyable and wholesome game with an oddly addicting gameplay loop.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be calming and relaxing rather than tedious, making it a suitable choice for those seeking a soothing experience during times of burnout or overstimulation.
- “I feel like it's a given that it would be a little grindy and repetitive.”
- “It doesn't feel grindy; it's calming and relaxing to play, especially when you're burned out or overstimulated and just need something to help you relax.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring amusing quips and fun facts about a variety of insects that evoke nostalgia and elicit smiles from players.
- “Lots of pretty bugs to catch, with fun facts and funny quips.”
- “It's packed with humor, loads of insects, and I can't help but smile as it evokes a nostalgic feel.”