Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 56
  3. Negative: 11 out of 56

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  1. Batty99
    Jan 3, 2020
    10
    As a Paper Mario fan its my fav game ever. It does everything Paper Mario did but even better. Such a charming experience that you shouldnt miss
  2. Facad3
    Dec 28, 2019
    10
    If you're a fan of the original paper mario games, you will love this game. There are many aspects of the game that it even does better then paper mario, such as the enjoyability of the side quests, and how every character is given a personality. the varied combat and badge systems allow for a wide variety of cool and (potentially) overpowered strategies, but even if you think this wouldIf you're a fan of the original paper mario games, you will love this game. There are many aspects of the game that it even does better then paper mario, such as the enjoyability of the side quests, and how every character is given a personality. the varied combat and badge systems allow for a wide variety of cool and (potentially) overpowered strategies, but even if you think this would make the game too easy there are built in hardmodes, challenge modes, and randomizers for you to play around with. all of the main character have great personalities and tons of story surrounding them for character development. this is 100% my game of the year and my 4th favourite game of all time, a must play in my opinion.… Expand
  3. CreativeChump
    Dec 3, 2019
    9
    Bug Fables was a refreshing and nostalgic experience when it came to not just Indie RPGs, but RPGs in general. What the game set out to do was fill a void that was created with Nintendo's Paper Mario series when the developers decided to step away from the turn based RPG framework they had with Thousand Year Door and build upon it. The land of Bugaria houses a wide variety of unique andBug Fables was a refreshing and nostalgic experience when it came to not just Indie RPGs, but RPGs in general. What the game set out to do was fill a void that was created with Nintendo's Paper Mario series when the developers decided to step away from the turn based RPG framework they had with Thousand Year Door and build upon it. The land of Bugaria houses a wide variety of unique and charming characters as well as interesting and fun to navigate vistas.

    The party is kept rather small with you only ever having control of the protagonists Vi, Kabbu, and Leif as they travel across the land on their mission to find the Everlasting sapping. Despite the party's small size, you are given a wide variety of field and combat abilities with the three team members that makes them more than enough to tackle the foes you encounter. There were at time where I felt that there was a bit of an input delay when playing the game but due to how rare it happens i'm currently chalking it up to a hardware issue on my end.

    Battle gameplay manages to tackle the "Micro-Game" method of utilizing abilities to an enjoyable level as I never felt bored having to use them every time I wished to attack an enemy unlike some other games that try and fall flat with this method. (A certain *cough*postmodern*cough* game comes to mind with this). Enemies manage to give you enough experience per each story segment so you never feel the need to grind. Another instance that removes the need for grinding is that the game is entirely skill based. If you can learn when to block enemy attacks at the right moment as well as know how to manage your Team Points and items responsibly you can navigate through most battles with ease. The level up system also refrains from punishing you and allows you to chose to upgrade whatever you want, be it health, Team Points, or Badge Points, without forcing you to reconsider by saying "Oh I bet you wish you had upgraded health instead of TP so much!" Any and all customization options are viable so long as you're willing to put in the work and, dare I say, get good.

    As for the story, I have to say that I am fairly impressed. The narrative manages to be lighthearted while also taking itself seriously, you never once feel like the game is babying you or insulting your intelligence all while it tries to entertain you. The main party gets incredibly fleshed out as you progress through the game, thus making them more entertaining as well as helping you develop an attachment to them. One thing that Bug Fables did that most RPGs fail to do is that the game manages to treat the entire party as if they're leading protagonists rather than one being the main character and others are just sidekicks. The game's narrative never forgets about Vi, Kabbu or Leif at any moment and the entire trio manages to remain relevant throughout the main story and the side quests. Aside from the main cast, the supporting characters all manage to lend a substantial part to the overall narrative by playing off of the protagonists naturally all while shining on their own merits.

    Overall, Bug Fables was a wonderful experience through and through with engaging gameplay and a charming, heartfelt narrative. Only downside I would have to give is how the resolution for ingame sprites comes off as a bit blury and slightly unprofessional. If I were to give any suggestions for a sequel i'd suggest utilizing Vector Sprites for your characters and items going forward. Other than that, Bug Fables is a must play if you're looking for something to scratch that Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi itch, all while admiring some very cute bugs.    … Expand
  4. ZubatRates
    Dec 2, 2019
    10
    Brings paper games into its own genre. A game that plays better than its inspiration in Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door.
  5. knuxchux618
    Dec 5, 2019
    9
    Cute, funny, interesting, and enjoyable, Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is an almost-masterpiece that is super baffling for a "homage" game. Not only does it bring us what we loved about the Paper Mario games, but it fixes what didn't work. Very few games like this do that, and an act such as this deserves very high respect.
  6. Kitteh6660
    Feb 3, 2020
    10
    A must-have for any true fans of Paper Mario games. It's cute, cartoony and in a good way since it has the charms of the original games. It pretty much nails down the mechanics and feels like a proper RPG.

    Overall, it's a solid indie game and is well worth the money.
  7. MasterRed64
    Feb 21, 2020
    10
    Really a beautiful and excellent game, a very good and dynamic combat system
    with lovely protagonists, this game deserves a lot of attention and love
  8. Trevor1996
    Feb 29, 2020
    10
    Just amazing, sweet lovable characters and a fun time all around. The controls can be a little bit finicky, especially in the overworld when trying to use your abilities, but even though that's annoying it's not enough to take away from the overall experience. The world is beautiful, takes you back to the days of Paper Mario and Okami as its style seems to be a combination of both ofJust amazing, sweet lovable characters and a fun time all around. The controls can be a little bit finicky, especially in the overworld when trying to use your abilities, but even though that's annoying it's not enough to take away from the overall experience. The world is beautiful, takes you back to the days of Paper Mario and Okami as its style seems to be a combination of both of those. There's a surprising amount of depth to this game and it's definitely worth multiple playthroughs, it's just that fun.… Expand
  9. KINGTUTT52
    May 26, 2020
    10
    If you like The original Paper Mario games then you’ll love this. it’s the same formula but way harder then 64 and TTYD
  10. jakecrawly20
    May 20, 2020
    10
    If you haven't played Paper Mario before, you'll like it.
    If you have played Paper Mario before, you'll LOVE it!
    For it's price, this game is more than just a steal that does it's inspiration justice, and then some.
  11. CrispCicada
    May 28, 2020
    10
    This game is simply amazing. Bug Fables is a charming indie game made by the developers of Dangen Entertainment. This game is basically Paper Mario: TTYD in a parallel universe, and I love it. First, the art style is phenomenal. Everything looks like it's made straight from paper with the outlines and shading. The gameplay is just as great as any Paper Mario game. I love how there areThis game is simply amazing. Bug Fables is a charming indie game made by the developers of Dangen Entertainment. This game is basically Paper Mario: TTYD in a parallel universe, and I love it. First, the art style is phenomenal. Everything looks like it's made straight from paper with the outlines and shading. The gameplay is just as great as any Paper Mario game. I love how there are little gimmicks and little minigames between turns. This game is super charming. I loved all the dialogue in this game. It really brought some giggles out of me. In conclusion, this is an amazing indie game that I'd recommend to every RPG fan. Have a lovely day/night, folks!… Expand
  12. MMalfais
    May 27, 2020
    10
    It's like a slightly more serious, focused paper mario game about bugs. It's really good. Just get it already.
  13. ejones0208
    Sep 5, 2020
    10
    I must say if you are a fan of the first two Paper Mario games or their combat system, then this game is a must-play. The game has a beautiful soundtrack and introduces a new world never seen before. The world-building is done phenomenally and with a badge, you get at the start of the game you can play on hard mode (which is actually what the developers recommend). The difficulty change isI must say if you are a fan of the first two Paper Mario games or their combat system, then this game is a must-play. The game has a beautiful soundtrack and introduces a new world never seen before. The world-building is done phenomenally and with a badge, you get at the start of the game you can play on hard mode (which is actually what the developers recommend). The difficulty change is big enough to be felt and give a consistent challenge, but never did it feel overbearing or like enemies were damage sponges just to be hit repeatedly. This game isn't just something to relive Paper Mario nostalgia but rather shows off how well the formula used for those games is and how it can be improved to feel like a full-fleshed game. The only complaint I have is there are occasional platforming sections that don't play right and can get annoying but the fact that messing up a jump just sends you back and doesn't kill or hurt you is a big positive. I would certainly recommend if you want to play an RPG, unlike many others with a good story, strong characters, and challenging combat.… Expand
  14. SuperCriticMan2
    Mar 8, 2020
    10
    This isn't just a spiritual successor to the Paper Mario series. It brings paper games into being a genre and defines it.
  15. Captain_N
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    What an incredibly charming game that taps into exactly what made the old Paper Mario games so much fun to play.
    It might not be as long or as polished as that but it's sure as hecc miles above what Nintendo has been doing with their franchise and I had a lot of fun playing it.
    The characters are lovely and their dialogue, jokes, and banter is so enjoyable. The graphic iconic and    What an incredibly charming game that taps into exactly what made the old Paper Mario games so much fun to play.
    It might not be as long or as polished as that but it's sure as hecc miles above what Nintendo has been doing with their franchise and I had a lot of fun playing it.
    The characters are lovely and their dialogue, jokes, and banter is so enjoyable.
    The graphic iconic and colorful and gameplay a lot of fun.

    One of the things I wasn't too crazy about is how when you need to use Medal/Badges which gives you special attributes, there always seem to be a tradeoff instead of them outright improving your characters.
    Like, you'd get a badge that gives 1+ to attack BUT 1- to defense.
    You have to pour your level up points into medals to actually make use of them, which in itself should be the tradeoff so I didn't feel it as satisfying to use medals as I did using badges in Paper Mario.

    I definitely hope to see more from this franchise again in the future!    … Expand
  16. aZombieDictator
    Jun 10, 2020
    10
    The Paper Mario we've all wanted. Amazing music, charming characters, wonderful gameplay, perfect combat anf awesome medal system.
  17. zenn22
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    50fps, needs a custom resolution on pc and on the switch version its just vomit inducing
  18. DAz_dingoose
    Jun 9, 2020
    0
    barely any progression and the graphics look bad, main characters boring and battles get stale fast
  19. Okie_Doki
    Apr 25, 2022
    0
    After playing this dooky game, I discovered that compared to this, every other game is a masterpiece. The game is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too buggy, it's unplayable. Also the fans of the game ruin the experience. I'd rather play bad champ heimer while also playing the master of kindred. Don't buy this game, waste of money and time. They should be payingAfter playing this dooky game, I discovered that compared to this, every other game is a masterpiece. The game is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too buggy, it's unplayable. Also the fans of the game ruin the experience. I'd rather play bad champ heimer while also playing the master of kindred. Don't buy this game, waste of money and time. They should be paying ME to play it.… Expand
  20. Daitya
    Jun 27, 2021
    10
    Es imposible no cogerle cariño a los protagonistas de este juego debido a la personalidad tan marcada y graciosa de cada personaje. Los diálogos entre los personajes y la repercusión que tiene en su mundo/aventura es muy fluída y natural. En cuanto a dificultad tiene una muy buena si escoges el modo difícil, te pasarás un buen rato ideando diferentes estrategias para derrotar al boss deEs imposible no cogerle cariño a los protagonistas de este juego debido a la personalidad tan marcada y graciosa de cada personaje. Los diálogos entre los personajes y la repercusión que tiene en su mundo/aventura es muy fluída y natural. En cuanto a dificultad tiene una muy buena si escoges el modo difícil, te pasarás un buen rato ideando diferentes estrategias para derrotar al boss de turno y sentirás una enorme satisfacción al vencerlo. Es un juego único donde las horas pasarán volando.… Expand
  21. Bugisoft
    Jul 26, 2022
    10
    Personalmente el mejor RPG que he tenido la oportunidad de jugar hasta ahora, totalmente divertido, con un arte simplista y único además de una historia para ver con 2 litros de café a mano, para esas mañanas que no pueden ir a mejor. Perfecto!
  22. Jarack25
    Apr 4, 2021
    10
    I’m not going to lie, this game was heavily inspired by paper Mario. But that isn’t a bad thing! Bug Fables uses the same formula as paper Mario but nearly perfects it while being its own thing. The battle system has even more depth with the addition of the trio mechanic, the worldbuilding is a delight through in through, and the amount of backtracking is almost nonexistent. puzzles areI’m not going to lie, this game was heavily inspired by paper Mario. But that isn’t a bad thing! Bug Fables uses the same formula as paper Mario but nearly perfects it while being its own thing. The battle system has even more depth with the addition of the trio mechanic, the worldbuilding is a delight through in through, and the amount of backtracking is almost nonexistent. puzzles are all self-contained so the exploration never gets boring even after another playthrough. Whenever you die, it's never because of a cheap lucky hit, there are 3 different levels of difficulty that you can switch between at any time and medals that balance your playstyle. The post-game unlocks hours of bonus content and modes. The music is amazing, and Bug Fables is still better than its Nintendo-made counterpart.

    Now the negatives, the platforming isn’t the best it could be, some of the features of the OG paper Mario trilogy that made the games so great is missing and small details just bump the game down from a 10 to a 9.7 even though this is just an indie game the exclusion is still disappointing.

    HOWEVER the positives still outway the negatives, I haven’t even mentioned the fact that The dialogue is clever, The characters are very interesting and developed, And the combat is a huge step up from most games in its genre. This was one of the best games I have ever played. What brought this game to life was the incredible story and ensemble of unique characters that made each section feel unique and powerful. If you are looking for something new or if you have a Mario-shaped hole in your heart I implore you to play this game! Saying that it is a wonderful experience would be a disgusting understatement to this amazing game. I look forward to ANYTHING that team moonsprout makes in the future.    … Expand
  23. anime_destroyer
    Jul 23, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. ten out of ten we have the spudac at the beginning to show us how hard and how our journey will be and with the ant queen she becomes selfish or it seems that way for always wanting the artifacts but when u find out in chapter 5 she had no selfish attempts to keep the sapling for herself it was for her dying mother know as queen elizant the first and i also thing the in game file codes re also fun cause it means u put up an challenge but at the same time still but when u get to ultimax who has a tank u listen to a badass theme song while kicking his ass its like a plate thats caliber where it may not be original but its better than when paper Mario came out… Expand
  24. SeventhParrot
    Jan 31, 2022
    5
    As a huge Paper Mario fan (especially the original trilogy), I can say this game is good but it's not great. I honestly think it is a bit over-hyped. That being said, let me talk about its positives. I really like the new take on the battle system, it introduces some fresh new concepts like Turn Relay that are very balanced. I also like the dialogue throughout the game and the characterAs a huge Paper Mario fan (especially the original trilogy), I can say this game is good but it's not great. I honestly think it is a bit over-hyped. That being said, let me talk about its positives. I really like the new take on the battle system, it introduces some fresh new concepts like Turn Relay that are very balanced. I also like the dialogue throughout the game and the character development a lot. The game is also quite difficult especially with the Hard Mode badge equipped which is a big plus in my eyes as the Paper Mario games can be too easy at times. Unfortunately, this is where the positives end. The game's graphics are very lackluster especially for a 2019 game. I get that they are going for the Paper Mario aesthetic but the game came out 15 years after Paper Mario: TTYD and has clearly worse graphics. Some of the chapters I find to be quite boring as well but the others stand out. Chapter 1,2,4, and 5 were all kind of boring to me. They had stale areas that felt kinda repetitive and had no visually appealing things that made them stand out at all. Chapter 4 is the biggest victim of this. The other chapters were interesting and memorable though but when over half of the chapters are boring then you know it isn't the best game out there. All that being said, I would suggest you to buy it if you really love the original Paper Mario game. I felt it's the most similar to that one but don't expect it to be better than that and DEFINITELY don't expect it to be better than Paper Mario: TTYD.… Expand
  25. PanchaMiguela
    Mar 3, 2023
    10
    Definitely the perfect balance of inspiration and originality, despite some slower parts, the characters are very likeable, the gameplay is great, and overall very fun experience, recently played TTYD and still think this is better by a mile, great job.
  26. Swirbl
    Aug 11, 2023
    9
    I really enjoyed this game. It might be a little boring at the beginning, but the later chapters are insanely good. This game has some really good features, like the turn relay and the medal system from the old Paper Mario games. The soundtrack is also really enjoyable. So if you're looking for a cute RPG, you're in the right place. (BTW, it has a built in card game which I'm addicted to)

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. RPG Site
    May 18, 2020
    90
    Despite not expecting it at all going in, Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling might just be my favorite game that I've played so far this year. It's the proper template for a love-letter done right -- to not simply staple oneself to the blueprint of their inspiration and meekly play parakeet, but to establish a cohesive identity beyond that. So many parts of Bug Fables felt so wholly inspired and creative that calling it a clone of anything else feels like a disservice. I wouldn't just suggest Paper Mario fans give Bug Fables a shot (though they absolutely should), but any fans of RPGs, period.
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  2. DarkStation
    Dec 13, 2019
    90
    Bug Fables is a truly excellent spiritual successor to the original Paper Mario format. It’s made with loving care and is a lot of fun, and I cannot recommend it enough to those who want to re-live the first two Paper Mario games, or just anyone who wants to play a cute RPG with a lot of heart.
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  3. TheGamer
    Dec 12, 2019
    80
    Nintendo hasn't made a true Paper Mario game since 2004's Thousand Year Door, and if you've always wished for another game like those first two in the series then you should probably check this out. It doesn't revolutionize the RPG formula, but Bug Fables shows that you don't need an Italian plumber to have fun playing with paper.
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