There’s something about Bugsnax that makes it feel nostalgic despite it being released in 2020. It feels like it belongs in the Gamecube/Playstation 2 era of wacky and cartoonish games. Visually, mechanically, and conceptually, Bugsnax feels like one of those weird games that I would play when I was a kid. There’s a certain sense of charm and creativity that is present throughout Bugsnax. Although I don’t consider it a flawless experience in any sense, it’s definitely a game that I enjoyed playing.

The idea behind Bugsnax is that you are a journalist investigating the disappearance of an adventurer on an unexplored island. A small group has taken up residence on this island because it is home to the titular species of creatures. These Bugsnax are animals that look like food: strawberries, hamburgers, tacos, etc. When you consume them, part of your body takes on traits of the Bugsnax. It is a frightening concept if taken out of the lens of the silly and carefree presentation of the game. When you arrive on the island, you realize that the group who had settled here has split up for some reason, and it is your job to get to the bottom of what happened.

The core gameplay of Bugsnax is catching Bugsnax. As you progress through the game, you unlock tools, traps, and gadgets to wrangle the little critters. It starts out simple enough, such as setting net traps next to bushes while waiting for timid Bugsnax to poke their heads out. As the game progresses, you need to use tools in conjunction with one another as well as the environment and even other Bugsnax. At its core, Bugsnax is an adventure-puzzle game. Trying to figure out how to catch the different creatures was extremely enjoyable. It’s different, it’s unique, and it’s fun to figure out how to capture the trickier Bugsnax and add them to your collection.

While I do appreciate the unique concept and gameplay, I do wish it increased in complexity and depth as the game progressed. While some Bugsnax are trickier than others to capture, it feels like there is a lot of repetition to pad out the game’s cast of creatures. There are a lot of similar Bugsnax that are functionally identical to one another, they are just found in different parts of the map. This can get particularly tedious when trying to tackle many of the game’s sidequests, as they often are as simple as going to catch common Bugsnax around the island. Catching a dozen different variations of the Strabby is not really an engaging puzzle.

As the game progresses, there are some slightly more complex Bugsnax to catch. Some fly, some are frozen and can’t be touched, and others are on fire and will burn your traps. These are interesting the first couple times you encounter them, but once you realize how to handle these hurdles you can use the same strategy for all other similar Bugsnax. There are a few bosses which are unique and I enjoyed figuring out how to handle them, but they are few and far between. Bugsnax would have benefited from having fewer filler and repeat creatures, and more unique Bugsnax that require the user to engage in some problem solving.

Aside from the creature capturing, the appeal of Bugsnax is in the charming cast of characters. There is a central town where residents that you assist will return to. It’s quite cozy to hang out in town and visit with the seemingly silly characters. I was surprised as I kept playing by the depth of the cast.

For what seems like a childish game and concept, Bugsnax has some mature themes and character growth. The townspeople have complex motivations and interpersonal relations. The isolation and pressure of living in a false paradise led to arguments, tension, and distrust. As you progress each character’s story, they are led to resolve their conflicts in mature manners. I was impressed by how real and multi-faceted every character’s personality was.

The weakest aspect of Bugsnax is easily its presentation. Specifically, the visuals. The voice acting was solid, and I loved how the creatures would shout their own names like Pokémon. But visually, the game looks like it belongs in a different era. I like the choice of being cartoonish, but the execution is dated. Honestly, this isn’t a big deal, but it is funny considering that Bugsnax was a launch title for the graphically powerful PS5.

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Bugsnax as much as I did. I had fun working out how to capture all the creatures. The variety of gadgets and tools makes for some fun puzzles, but I do wish that there were more unique Bugsnax rather than the multitude of different colored species. For a game that seems childish, there are some mature themes and lessons to be learned from the characters. It is for these reasons that I give Bugsnax a 6.5/10. I don’t think it will blow anyone’s mind, but Bugsnax is a fun little adventure nonetheless.