Bugsnax

(minor spoiler warning)

As someone who enjoys a good story, I was pretty excited when I heard about Bugsnax, a single-player adventure game created by Young Horses. After all, since they were the creators of Octodad: Dadliest Catch, known for its slapstick comedy, Bugsnax would undoubtedly be just as quirky and fun, right? 

Haha. 

The game starts off with the player being invited to Snaktooth Island, an unexplored piece of land, by the elusive adventurer Lizbert. Players soon come to realise that Snaktooth Island is not what it seems… and neither are its inhabitants. For one, just what are these half-bug half-snack creatures called Bugsnacks which roam the lands? Why does eating them mutate your body? Who -or what- is that ominous figure creeping at the back of the screen? The plot thickens when it is revealed that both Lizbert and her girlfriend are missing. It is up to you, the player, to unravel this mystery. 

With a cast of colourful fuzzy characters, from tropical beaches to wintry mountains, catch these adorable creatures and feed them to your friends!

Aside from the thrilling body horror of becoming food itself, Bugsnax excels in portraying its characters’ personalities. The interactions between these characters are genuinely charming; I found myself enjoying the dialogue, more often than not, especially when paired with the voice-acting. Furthermore, both the characters and Bugsnacks are voiced! Not only is that impressive dedication but it also makes the game more immersive by fleshing out the characters. 

The deeper you delve into these people’s lives, the more you find that they intensely hunger for something more than food: knowledge, money, relationships, stardom. Their insecurities, which are terrifyingly relatable and emotional, are laid bare for players to see. All of these characters, in one way or another, have used Bugsnacks as an escapism from their harsh realities. They will continue to eat Bugsnacks to satisfy an insatiable hunger. They cannot stop. These characters will eat and eat, becoming the very creatures they love, until it is too late to ever go back. 

And no, this is not a psychological horror game. Yes, it is a game for kids. 

The graphics are unique and almost childish due to the muppet-like character designs, giving the game an innocent quality which does not last long. At all. The shift in tone from casual to serious is incredibly jarring. However, it does make for an engaging and fun story. 

Furthermore, between the story quests are several puzzles relating to catching Bugsnacks. All the creatures have different movement patterns and only come out under certain conditions, such as timing and weather. With this and the various mechanics available, the gameplay is pretty exciting. Catching the different types of Bugsnacks, be it mid-flight or by baiting them, makes for a satisfying experience. Plus, the further you progress in-game, the more tools you can use, which prevents the gameplay from becoming too tedious or boring. 

Overall, Bugsnax is a game I would recommend to anyone who is not squirmy and enjoys a good story. It is a game that leaves a deep impression in your heart ages after you have finished playing — from the music to the gameplay, or to the characters themselves. You will never find a game that personifies the phrase “You are what you eat” more literally.