I remember seeing Bugsnax during the PlayStation 5 showcase, and immediately wanting to play it. It looked so original and creative, I just couldn’t wait to dive into it. Then, the PlayStation 5 was released and it was the first PlayStation 5 title to be included in PlayStation Plus. I made sure to snag it while I could and when I was done with Ubisoft’s two open-world titles, I was finally really for Bugsnax.
Let me just say, this game blew my mind. I instantly fell in love with the charming and whimsical world of Snaktooth Island. It was just the right breath of fresh air I needed coming off of two AAA titles back to back. I honestly haven’t even committed to another game yet because I’m still digesting this experience.
Bugsnax is an indie title developed by Young Horses. It takes place on an island called Snaktooth Island, where the ever elusive Bugsnax live. You play as a journalist who has been called to the island by the head of a research team responsible for studying these strange creatures. You and the the research team are all Grumpuses, the games dominant species. They are cute little creatures who all have their own reasons for being interested in Bugsnax and Snaktooth Island.
As you explore the island and the story unfolds, you discover the head researcher is missing and as a result, everyone in town split up and has gone off on their own. You’ll spend the game bringing everyone back together and getting to know what makes them all tick. You’ll also begin to understand why everything fell apart and the problems these Grumpuses have with each other. This was one of my favorite aspects of the entire game because, the cast of characters here is just so unique.
Every single Grumpus has their own personality, their own beef with other Grumpuses and their own passions. Wiggle is a popstar looking for inspiration for her music, and Triffany is an archeologist interested in the history of the island. Each character came on this research mission for a reason, and discovering what those reasons were made them so relatable and lovable. The voice acting is also perfect. Each character is brought to life by their talented voice actor, making it feel like I was watching a Pixar movie.
The Grumpuses and their stories aren’t the only draw to this game. Not only is Snaktooth Island a colorful, vibrant world spanning across multiple biomes, but it is one full of Bugsnax. As much as I loved the Grumpuses, I have to say that the Bugsnax are the stars of the show here.
Each one is a creative spin on some kind of food item, whether its a little baby strawberry, a feisty hamburger that’ll headbutt you or a pizza flying high above the desert. There are 100 Bugsnax to find and capture. Each one has their own unique name that they will say out loud both in the open world, and when you catch them. That touched on a bit of Pokémon nostalgia that I appreciated. Just like with the Grumpuses, the voice acting for the Bugsnax is perfection. Each catch brought a smile to my face when the Bugsnak would announce itself through my DualSense speaker.
Each Grumpus will have you track down specific Bugsnax and feed them to them. When you do, it’ll change a part of their body to look like that Bugsnak. You can do this outside of quests too, and it’s fun to try out different combinations. The game will retain whatever you try so it’s entertaining to see your creations around town.
Capturing Bugsnax is creative and sometimes challenging. It’s really almost a puzzle game in this aspect, and it was a blast to experiment with different ideas on how to capture each Bugsnak. You’re given a few tools that you can use on their own, or with other tools to best these creatures and capture them. Some are small and easy to catch, but some are big and more aggressive. While you don’t have health in this game, these Bugsnax can set you on fire, freeze you or ram into you, creating rather interesting scenarios. Let me tell you, catching all 100 was no small feat, but you better believe I enjoyed every minute of it.
The story is just as solid as the other aspects of this game, leaving me absolutely breathless. I won’t spoil anything but this story had me feel just about every emotion. I became so invested in each Grumpus and the town as a whole and really began to form connections with them. This game also makes you wonder if eating Bugsnax is right, or if they have feelings of their own. Gramble, the town’s barn owner, wants you to donate live Bugsnax to him because he sees them as pets. It really puts a lot in perspective.
I have to say that so far, this is my favorite game this year. Honestly, it’ll be a tough act to follow, too. There’s just a magical feeling to this game that I feel like only indie titles can really bring to the table. They are just so creative and unique and this is definitely one of my favorites now. I’m glad I’m still processing this game and letting the experience digest because this isn’t one that I’m going to want to forget.
