Bugsnax was probably one of the best launch titles on the PS5. It was a colourful and charming game that made great use of the Dual Sense controller. Now that the exclusivity period on Sony consoles has expired, the Bugnax have been let loose to infest the Xbox and Switch.
The great news is that Bugsnax remains an engaging, fun, and surprisingly touching game, regardless of what platform you choose to play it on.
Players take on the role of a journalist who sets off to the mysterious Snaktooth island after receiving a message from famed Explorer Elizabert Megafig, who has discovered the titular Bugsnax.
After arriving on Snaktooth, it doesn’t take long for our hero to realise that there’s an even bigger scoop there than he thought. Megafig is missing, and the island’s inhabitants, the muppet-like Grumpus, are bearly holding it together and have abandoned their village (and each other).
Thus, it’s up to you to reunite the Grumpus, rebuild the village, and find Elizabert. How are you going to do this? By catching Bugsnax.
Each one of the game’s 100 types of adorable food-based critters behaves differently and requires different tactics and tools to catch.
A Razzby might just aimlessly wander into your snack trap, but trying to catch a Pinantula is a much more complex affair. Each Bugsnax can be scanned to figure out its likes and dislikes. You then use that information to figure out the best way to exploit their weakness and nab them using a variety of lures and traps.
The tool you’ll rely on most is the Sauce Slinger. A catapult that launches different condiments to lure Bugsnax into your nearby traps or into altercations with other Bugsnax, which you can then exploit. Exploring the island, and finding new critters, as you refine and expand the ways to catch Bugsnax is a lot of fun.
But what do you do with the Bugsnax once you’ve caught them? Feed them to the islanders, of course. Each Grumpus wants a different snack before they’ll return to the village and tell you more about why they left in the first place.
Oh, and did I mention that after you’ve fed a Grumpus a Bugsnax, their body parts turn into the creatures they’ve just eaten, in a way that feels like you’ve just uncovered the lost pilot for David Cronenberg’s version of The Muppets.
Which version of the game you decide to invest in is mostly a matter of preference; If you have a PS5, you probably already own it. If you’re on Xbox, it’s on Game Pass. However, on Switch, the decision boils down to how much you prize being able to play it easily on the go. (the usual switch caveats apply too, occasional pop, lower-resolution graphics, and longer load times).
Also included in all versions is the new Isle of Bigsnax expansion. This extra area adds some new gigantic Snax to catch and a couple of extra hours of playtime. Although its focus on traditional puzzle-solving (Read: opening doors) rather than trapping Bugsnax is slightly disappointing. Still, for a new side mission, it’s not too bad. It’s also free. Can’t argue with free.
Bugsnax is a unique and captivating game that is magical regardless of what platform you choose to play it on. With great characters, a surprisingly touching narrative, and a whole load of critters to catch, it’s a game you’re going to want to drag home (in a massive net).