Bugsnax

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,324 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Bugsnax Game Cover
Bugsnax runs really well on Switch, but loses a little magic without the DualSense.
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Bugsnax is a single-player Mystery Action game with an intriguing story set on Snaktooth Island, where you hunt and capture half-bug half-snack creatures. Discover the truth behind the explorer Elizabert Megafig's disappearance, and the island's secrets while experiencing marvelous gameplay, amazing graphics, and a sensational soundtrack. Customize your quirky companions, and enjoy the very funny and highly emotional adventure with lots of grinding to capture 100 different Bugsnax species.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,324 reviews
story537 positive mentions
grinding33 negative mentions
  • story1,221 mentions

    The story of Bugsnax is surprisingly deep and engaging, blending whimsical charm with darker themes, including body horror and emotional struggles. Players take on the role of a journalist exploring Snaktooth Island, uncovering the mysteries behind the titular creatures and the lives of the quirky inhabitants, known as Grumpuses. The narrative is enriched by well-developed characters, clever twists, and a mix of humor and heartfelt moments, making it a memorable experience that resonates beyond its cute exterior.

    • “The story is engaging, there's several fun mysteries to be solved, there are tons of bugsnax to catch (each requiring cleverly using your tools in different combinations to get them), and it's just straight-up fun.”
    • “Bugsnax is a surprising, amazing game with a story that goes places you wouldn't expect.”
    • “The story is surprisingly deep for a game where you’re literally 'catching' bite-sized creatures, with emotional moments hidden behind the goofy exterior.”
    • “The story was just a bonus and exploring the different islands, it can't get any better than that, right?”
    • “The story is a little off-kilter, but given the design of the game's monsters, it really works with the setting and other characters you interact with.”
  • gameplay555 mentions

    The gameplay in Bugsnax is characterized by its engaging and whimsical mechanics centered around capturing various adorable creatures using a variety of tools and strategies. While many players find the core gameplay loop enjoyable and addictive, some note that it can become repetitive over time, particularly as quests often involve recapturing previously encountered bugsnax. Overall, the combination of charming characters, a lighthearted story, and creative puzzle-solving elements contributes to a fun and accessible experience for players of all ages.

    • “The gameplay is enjoyable, and the story adds more depth than expected.”
    • “The gameplay itself is amazing; even at my second playthrough and 100%ing it, I still found the bug-catching mechanics very fun. You'll find yourself trying different (often scuffed) ways of catching these critters, maintaining a good amount of difficulty without being too annoying.”
    • “The gameplay loop is so addicting and lax; I love how the game is very hands-off with objectives, allowing for experimentation, and I wasn't expecting such engaging characters with the grumpuses.”
    • “I didn't really enjoy the gameplay; I was hoping it'd be more of a cross between Pokémon and the Chao Garden from SA2.”
    • “The gameplay is somewhat lacking in difficulty, it's decently repetitive, and the level design is just barely good enough to not be actively bad.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is pretty tedious and unfun to me because the controls feel very clunky.”
  • graphics240 mentions

    The graphics of Bugsnax are widely praised for their charming, cartoonish art style and vibrant colors, which create a delightful and engaging atmosphere. Players appreciate the creative character designs and the overall aesthetic, noting that while the visuals may appear childlike, they effectively complement the game's deeper themes and storytelling. The graphics are described as both beautiful and fitting for the game's lighthearted yet occasionally dark narrative, making it a visually appealing experience that runs smoothly on various hardware.

    • “Bugsnax features surprisingly good visuals with rich colors, models, and even textures which I didn't expect from such a cartoony-looking game.”
    • “The graphics are adorable and the map's imagery is very creative.”
    • “With its stunning graphics, immersive storyline, and delightful character designs, Bugsnax has undoubtedly established itself as an amazing and unforgettable gaming experience.”
    • “The graphics aren't impressive, but the plot is interesting, the characters are well-written, and finding a way to catch every kind of 'bugsnax' is very satisfying.”
    • “Considering this was a PS5 launch title, I'm surprised the PC port doesn't give the user options to increase the resolution scaling or other graphical options to improve the visuals.”
    • “The graphics are fine, everything looks cute even if unoriginal, just food with googly eyes stapled on it; you can find them pretty funny at times, like the most aggressive pile of spicy food that's literally on fire.”
  • humor228 mentions

    The humor in "Bugsnax" is widely praised for its quirky, whimsical charm, blending lightheartedness with darker undertones. Players appreciate the clever writing, funny character interactions, and the absurdity of the food-themed creatures, which elicit genuine laughter while also delivering emotional depth. The game's unique blend of humor and storytelling creates memorable moments that resonate with both younger and older audiences, making it a delightful experience overall.

    • “The characters are amazing, and the Bugsnax are funny.”
    • “The humor keeps things light, and the game is full of laughter, both from the creatures and the grumpuses.”
    • “This game is hilarious and disturbing.”
  • music216 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and memorable soundtrack, which complements the whimsical and lighthearted tone of the gameplay. Many players highlighted the diverse range of tracks, including contributions from Kero Kero Bonito, and noted how the music enhances the overall experience, making it both enjoyable and immersive. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing and the voice acting is top tier.”
    • “The music in Bugsnax is also a highlight, with a catchy and memorable soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's lighthearted and whimsical tone.”
    • “The colorful visuals, cheerful soundtrack, and lighthearted tone create an atmosphere that’s perfect for a chill gaming session.”
    • “The music feels way too generic; not a single track stuck with me, most sound like elevator songs you'd just forget as soon as you hear them.”
    • “The music and atmosphere are not anything that left an impression on me.”
    • “I cannot really say anything too special about the music; in a way it has its charm, but it’s honestly long and drawn out - it’s like modern 1950s grocery store music that just becomes a part of the ambiance.”
  • emotional146 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Bugsnax" is surprisingly profound, with many players expressing unexpected attachment to its quirky characters and heartfelt narratives. While the game features a whimsical exterior, it delves into themes of growth, relationships, and personal struggles, often evoking genuine emotional responses, including laughter and tears. However, some players felt the emotional depth was lacking or overshadowed by the game's silliness, leading to mixed reactions regarding character development and storytelling.

    • “Bugsnax offers a unique and heartwarming story, coupled with a worthwhile experience that you won’t regret.”
    • “The story is surprisingly deep for a game where you’re literally 'catching' bite-sized creatures, with emotional moments hidden behind the goofy exterior.”
    • “I cried multiple times while playing the game; I felt genuine joy, fear, surprise, sadness, and anger. This game literally brought out every emotion I could feel.”
  • character development55 mentions

    Character development in "Bugsnax" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, often exceeding expectations for a game of its style. Players appreciate the unique character designs, engaging voice acting, and well-crafted storylines that contribute to a rich narrative experience. The game's ability to intertwine character arcs with gameplay mechanics, such as the transformation effects of feeding bugsnax, adds an intriguing layer to the overall experience, making it a standout feature for many reviewers.

    • “The character writing, dialogues, and character development of the cast beat most of what you find in games of this scope and much of what's beyond!”
    • “The story of Bugsnax is surprisingly more complex than it appears on the surface, and even has some shocking twists along the way, with a lot more depth and character development than you would typically expect from a game that looks the way that it does.”
    • “Behind the game's basic premise of catching the titular creatures lies a brilliantly-paced story with plenty of intrigue and phenomenal character development.”
    • “Only complaint I can think of off the top of my head is the transformation mechanic (where the villagers change attributes based on the snax you feed them) can't be undone, so character designs get thrown out the window unless you restrain yourself from feeding them snax.”
    • “If it wasn't for the character development, I don't think I'd be recommending this game because the main arc and the gameplay really aren't that interesting once you get over the whole 'they eat bugsnax and it changes their bodies' concept.”
    • “The quests themselves are fine, but once again the thing that stands out the most is the character development, adding more depth to some and establishing stronger interpersonal relationships between others.”
  • grinding46 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially when aiming for 100% completion. While some appreciate the manageable amount of grinding for main quests and enjoy the exploration, others feel that certain tasks and side quests can become frustratingly exact and time-consuming. Overall, the game offers a decent balance for casual players, but those seeking to complete every achievement may find the experience overly grindy.

    • “Challenging but not tedious.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “As much as I enjoyed the game, it felt very repetitive and tedious getting to that '100% achievements' finish line.”
    • “The gameplay loop can be tedious at times, but the characters and story make it worth the effort.”
  • stability28 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting minor bugs and glitches that, while occasionally disruptive, do not significantly hinder gameplay. Some users found the glitches to be amusing and part of the charm, while others experienced frustrating technical issues that required extensive troubleshooting. Overall, the game runs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, but players should be prepared for some instability.

    • “I just finished a second playthrough on Steam Deck (runs great) after originally playing elsewhere before the free expansion update.”
    • “This game runs great on PC and continues to be one of the most charming and creative games I've played in the last year.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “I really wanted to enjoy this game, but the amount of tedious troubleshooting I've had to do just to get it to function has left a very, very bad taste in my mouth.”
    • “After about an hour of troubleshooting, changing to DirectX 9, updating drivers, etc., it finally starts working and I begin to make my way through the game.”
    • “The environmental areas were buggy and glitchy in parts; I was always getting stuck in ridiculous ways.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report excellent performance on platforms like the Steam Deck and PC with minimal issues, others experience significant frame rate drops and poor optimization on higher-end systems. The voice acting and character development are standout features that enhance the experience, but the inconsistent performance detracts from the overall enjoyment for some users.

    • “Also really well optimized, never noticed a single stutter on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Its also great on Deck and PC, I didn't have any performance issues whatsoever.”
    • “That is all though performance wise, this game runs very well and the optimizations that you can do in the options is plentiful.”
    • “I will say this game is very poorly optimized, but when it works, boy does it work.”
    • “For a game that looks like it could run on a PS2, it is poorly optimized and constantly dips below 5 FPS on a Ryzen 9/RTX 4070 build.”
    • “My main complaint would be the occasionally iffy performance, which really isn't justified by the game's graphics.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some players noting limited replay value due to the game's puzzle-centric nature and lack of content after completion. However, others highlight the appeal of branching narratives, multiple endings, and collectibles, which encourage additional playthroughs to explore different outcomes and uncover missed elements. Overall, while some find it lacking in replayability, others appreciate the depth that invites revisiting the game.

    • “It's so replayable while still feeling fresh.”
    • “Seeing how some of your actions have consequences for the ending is great and offers some replayability to see how characters change and react differently depending on your choices.”
    • “The game's replayability is further enhanced by the branching narrative paths, which provide different outcomes based on your choices, inviting you to embark on a second playthrough to uncover all its secrets.”
    • “There isn’t much replay value in it; it’s more a puzzle game than a creature collector.”
    • “The game is also not really replayable.”
    • “Garbage kids game with no replay value.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant charm, whimsical visuals, and engaging soundtrack, creating a delightful and relaxing environment for players. Reviewers highlight the balance of lightheartedness with subtle darker themes, alongside well-developed characters and immersive sound design. Overall, the game's unique and captivating atmosphere enhances the gameplay experience, making it a strong recommendation for those who enjoy exploration and creature collecting.

    • “From the moment I dove into the vibrant world of Snacktooth Island, I was captivated by its unique charm and whimsical atmosphere.”
    • “The colorful visuals, cheerful soundtrack, and lighthearted tone create an atmosphere that’s perfect for a chill gaming session.”
    • “The soundtrack fits the atmosphere of this game very well and so many other factors come together to wrap up this package into a wonderful, delightful game.”
    • “The music and atmosphere are not anything that left an impression on me.”
    • “Not really a game that I feel I can go on forever about because so much of it is purely based on the immaculate atmosphere and vibes, but it’s an incredibly strong recommendation nonetheless.”
    • “The game has a light-hearted atmosphere while also tackling heavier relationship problems.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

24hMedian play time
43hAverage play time
13-38hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 21 analyzed playthroughs

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