Bug & Seek

About

Bug & Seek is a laid-back bug-catching simulator where you run an Insectarium. After purchasing the abandoned insect zoo, your goal is to catch and sell bugs, complete quests for locals, and uncover the truth behind the mysterious Great Bug Heist. With over 220 real-life bugs to discover and a focus on relaxation, Bug & Seek offers a charming, open-ended experience for players of all ages.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 168 reviews

story8 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

The game is incredibly cute and charming, with a wide variety of bugs to collect and detailed artwork.
It's a relaxing and stress-free experience, perfect for casual gameplay and learning about insects.
The developers are passionate and responsive to the community, enhancing the overall experience.

The gameplay can become repetitive and grindy after a while, as the core loop involves similar actions.
Some players have experienced bugs and glitches, particularly with inventory management and shop mechanics.
There is a lack of depth in gameplay challenges, making it feel simplistic for those seeking more complex mechanics.

story
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
68%
9%
The story in the game is described as charming and engaging, with a mix of lighthearted quests and a cozy atmosphere that appeals to players of all ages. While some find the plot predictable and the quest mechanics a bit simplistic, others appreciate the mystery elements and the opportunity to explore and collect various bugs. Overall, the narrative complements the gameplay, providing a fun backdrop for the creature-collecting 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.”
- “Even the mystery to the story is fun to play out!”
- “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
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The gameplay of "Bug & Seek" is characterized by its simple yet satisfying mechanics, making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages. With a cozy, laid-back style reminiscent of games like Stardew Valley and Pokémon, players engage in a relaxing loop of bug collecting that, while occasionally repetitive, is enhanced by charming pixel art and a friendly user interface. Overall, the game offers a wholesome experience that encourages exploration and discovery at one's own pace, though some may find the core activities somewhat monotonous over time.
- “For those who love bugs, collecting, or just comfy and laid-back gameplay, Bug and Seek is the game for you.”
- “The core gameplay loop is pretty relaxing, and I like discovering all the little bugs.”
- “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
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The graphics feature a charming pixel-art style reminiscent of games like Stardew Valley, with a whimsical and adorable design that enhances the game's relaxing atmosphere. While some reviewers suggest that the visuals could benefit from improved color schemes and lighting, the detailed artwork of the various collectible bugs and the overall aesthetic contribute positively to the game's cozy vibe. Overall, the graphics are praised for their simplicity and charm, making them appealing for fans of casual, collect-a-thon games.
- “On a real note, the art style is so adorable.”
- “The graphics are pixel/retro, the music is great, the controls are simple, the environment's whimsical, and I feel that all of it fits the overall tranquil vibe of the 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.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The music in the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall tranquil and whimsical atmosphere. Players appreciate how the charming soundtrack complements the simple graphics and engaging gameplay, making the experience feel meditative and enjoyable. The combination of delightful tunes and playful sound effects contributes significantly to the game's appeal, drawing players into its bug-collecting routine.
- “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.”
- “The graphics are pixel/retro, the music is great, the controls are simple, the environment's whimsical, and I feel that all of it fits the overall tranquil vibe of the game.”
- “The music's relaxing, the map changes with each season really boost the ambience, and for the less bug-inclined (or in my case, specifically less spider-inclined) the interactions with the bugs are non-threatening, which is a big plus.”
- “I wasn't sure bug hunting was gonna be a thing I wanted to do but you get hooked in with the chill music and tone and next thing you know I'm picking up beetles and bugs as if it's a meditation.”
- “The art is charming and the music is very soothing.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its abundant humor, featuring amusing tagline descriptions, quirky encyclopedia entries, and unique character personalities that elicit laughter. Players enjoy the fun facts about insects and the nostalgic feel, contributing to an overall joyful experience that keeps them smiling throughout.
- “Some of the little tagline descriptions have made me laugh, and I like the encyclopedia entries.”
- “It's packed with humor, loads of insects, and I can't help but smile as it evokes a nostalgic feel.”
- “All the little people have unique personalities, and I keep laughing to myself at their little jokes.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
83%
The game is noted for its numerous bugs and glitches, which can disrupt gameplay, such as freezing when entering or leaving houses. However, most issues are not game-breaking, and players have found enjoyment in the quirky nature of these bugs. Additionally, the game performs well on the Steam Deck.
- “It runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
- “I've experienced minimal bugs, making for a smooth gameplay experience.”
- “Really buggy game”
- “There is a bug in-game, not a collecting one though, where sometimes when you enter or leave a house the game just freezes and you have to quit to desktop and start again.”
- “A fair amount of glitches and bugs (however none of them game-breaking if you stop yourself from abusing some infinite money exploits)”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat repetitive, but many appreciate its calming and relaxing nature, making it a suitable choice for those feeling overstimulated or burned out. While it does have grindy elements, they are not overwhelmingly negative and can contribute to a soothing gameplay experience.
- “I feel like it's a given that it would be a little grindy and repetitive.”
- “The only other real drawback is that it gets a little grindy.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its wholesome and cozy atmosphere, creating an emotionally uplifting experience for players. Despite some minor rough edges, the developers are responsive to community feedback, enhancing the overall enjoyment and emotional connection to the game. Its cute and addicting gameplay loop further contributes to its charm.
- “This game is so cute, cozy, and wholesome.”
- “Really enjoyable and wholesome game with an oddly addicting gameplay loop.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere is highly praised for its engaging and immersive quality, complemented by a diverse range of bugs that enhance the overall experience.
- “I absolutely love the atmosphere and the variety of bugs!”
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of this world.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack perfectly complements the eerie atmosphere.”