Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is a role-playing video game developed by Panamanian independent studio Moonsprout Games and published by Dangen Entertainment. It was released on November 21, 2019 for Microsoft Windows,[1] and on May 28, 2020 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.[2] Taking inspiration in art and gameplay from the first two Paper Mario games, the game's plot centers around three bugs—Vi, Kabbu, and Leif—as they search the mythical land of Bugaria in pursuit of vast treasures and eternal life.[3] Bug Fables received positive reviews from critics, who praised its characters, combat system, presentation, and amount of content, but criticized its control issues.

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Developer(s)Moonsprout Games
Publisher(s)Dangen Entertainment
Designer(s)Jose Fernando Gracia
Programmer(s)Marcio Cleiton
Writer(s)Jose Fernando Gracia
Composer(s)Tristan Alric
Platform(s)
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
November 21, 2019
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
May 28, 2020
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

The gameplay of Bug Fables is heavily inspired by that of Paper Mario and its sequel, The Thousand-Year Door. The player controls three characters: Vi the bee, Kabbu the beetle, and Leif the moth. When exploring the overworld, these characters can use their unique abilities to traverse the environment, solve puzzles, and find secrets, and as the game progresses, more abilities are unlocked. Enemies are visible on the overworld and can be either engaged or avoided. Combat is played in a turn-based format which makes use of small minigames similar to Paper Mario, as the player must time button presses to maximize the efficacy of their moves, or to take less damage from enemy attacks. The party also shares Teamwork Points (TP), which are used for special attacks, as well as Medal Points (MP), which are used for equipable medals that can either enhance certain attributes, grant resistance to status debuffs, or unlock special moves. Upon winning a battle, the party is awarded Exploration Points (EP); earning enough EP will increase the party's level, where the player can choose to increase their HP, TP, or MP.[4]

Development

Bug Fables was developed by independent Panamanian developer Moonsprout Games, made up of Jose Fernando Gracia and Marcio Cleiton. The game started development in 2015 and was tentatively titled Paper Bugs until its final name was revealed in January 2018, alongside an IndieGoGo campaign.[5][6] A playable demo was also released.[7] Bug Fables' gameplay and aesthetics were inspired by the first two Paper Mario titles, as the developers felt the later games strayed too far from those games' formula. Other role-playing games which influenced Bug Fables include Persona 5, Tales of Zestiria, Golden Sun, and Xenoblade.[8]

Reception
Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
MetacriticPC: 86/100[9]
NS: 85/100[10]
PS4: 79/100[11]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Nintendo LifeNS: [12]
Nintendo World ReportNS: 9.5/10[13]
RPGamer4/5[14]
TouchArcade4.5/5[15]

Bug Fables received generally favourable reviews, with most praise focusing on the game's level design and combat, citing it just as good as the early Paper Mario games as well as the writing being on par and one of the game's highlights.[13] Another highlight of the game is the art style which was both "pleasant and simple", although commenting that it did falter the platforming.[4] In addition, certain puzzles were cited as quite hard to accomplish due to the 'flat' artstyle, mostly with Vi's boomerang.[16]

References
  1. "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling on Steam".
  2. "Bug Fables-Mushichi and Enen Wakaki-". Nintendo Japan. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  3. "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling on DANGEN".
  4. Ramón Nafria (December 4, 2019). "Análisis Bug Fables, una divertida aventura de rol a lo Paper Mario (PC, PS4, Switch, iPhone, Xbox One" (in Spanish). Vandal. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  5. "Bug Fables". Tumblr. January 11, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  6. "Bug Fables - an exploration RPG full of bugs!". IndieGoGo.
  7. "The Bug Fables demo took me 17 years to the past". Destructoid. February 14, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  8. Aron Garst (June 6, 2019). "Paper Mario meets A Bug's Life in Moonsprout Games' Bug Fables". Red Bull. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  9. "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  10. "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  11. "BUG FABLES: THE EVERLASTING SAPLING PlayStation 4". Metacritic. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  12. "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling 2020". Nintendo Life. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  13. "Bug Fables (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  14. "Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling Review". RPGamer. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  15. "SwitchArcade Round-Up: Mini-Views Featuring 'The TakeOver', 'Bug Fables', and More, Plus the Latest New Releases and Sales". TouchArcade. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  16. "Bug Fables Review: Paper Mario Is (Kind Of) Back!". The Gamer. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
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