The Bug Butcher

 PC
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 4 out of 28

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  1. Janju
    Jan 27, 2016
    10
    Fast paced action game in the tradition of pang ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buster_Bros. ). The right thing if you're into challenging arcade shooter.
  2. JoaoRodarte
    Jan 21, 2016
    9
    Ok, before you buy this one I have something to tell you: this game is pure arcade. It is not something you will cry while playing or even fall in love to, because arcade games are not suposed to do so.

    Now that I have made it all clear, this is one of the best arcades I have ever played, and this is something arcade lovers will enjoy a lot, mainly due to its frenetic rhythm and pace.    Ok, before you buy this one I have something to tell you: this game is pure arcade. It is not something you will cry while playing or even fall in love to, because arcade games are not suposed to do so.

    Now that I have made it all clear, this is one of the best arcades I have ever played, and this is something arcade lovers will enjoy a lot, mainly due to its frenetic rhythm and pace.

    Getting 3 stars in all levels is a hell of a challenge and very entertaining. Also, soundtrack is great and matches the game flow.

    But, if you don't like simplified arcade games, thats not for you.    … Expand
  3. StevePain
    Jan 24, 2016
    9
    A fresh take on classic arcade action. Enemies are very varied and different tactics need to be employed to make it through the "story". An endless mode and local-coop will provide players hours and hours of great fun. Highly recommended!
  4. Memrise1973
    Jan 26, 2016
    9
    After downloading this game i had to leave for a meeting. When i came home a few hours later i was surprised to find my nice beloved wife yelling swear words to someone in the „computer room“. Fortunately i found out, she was not having a fight with some visitor– no, she was having a heavy fight with a bug butcher „stage boss“.

    I sat down and watched my wife die and die an die and die    After downloading this game i had to leave for a meeting. When i came home a few hours later i was surprised to find my nice beloved wife yelling swear words to someone in the „computer room“. Fortunately i found out, she was not having a fight with some visitor– no, she was having a heavy fight with a bug butcher „stage boss“.

    I sat down and watched my wife die and die an die and die and it was so much fun to see her getting more an more excited. Time flies by watching/playing this game. We finally made it to 31 hours of fun so far.

    The „simple at the first look“ 2D classic arcade game has ist very own „mechanic“. Since you can only shoot vertically while your enemies are improving theirs skills from level to level, you need the perfect timing, tactics and lots and lots of combos to collect coins for very helpful upgrades. The time limit in every level, a limited number of lives, and awful stage bosses gonna let you die a thousand deaths. But as your enemies are getting stronger and more complex every level, so do your skills and your weapons until you are a real master. For me that is the main fun in this game, seeing how your own skills improve and improve and killing bastard stage bosses, that seamed unbeatable in the beginning.

    I can highly recommend this game, give it a try !    … Expand
  5. Underpants158
    Feb 3, 2016
    7
    This game can be a weekend of fun, blasting through 30 levels of bouncing bugs for 5 or 6 hours, or you can dedicate yourself to get the highest score. For me I had a fun a weekend with it. I completed 29 of the 30 levels in arcade mode giving up on the last one because I recognized I would never be able to beat it. But to others who are more competitive this game does offer an outlet toThis game can be a weekend of fun, blasting through 30 levels of bouncing bugs for 5 or 6 hours, or you can dedicate yourself to get the highest score. For me I had a fun a weekend with it. I completed 29 of the 30 levels in arcade mode giving up on the last one because I recognized I would never be able to beat it. But to others who are more competitive this game does offer an outlet to that and playing the game that way you can get a lot of value out of it.… Expand
  6. KevinBeLeven
    Feb 4, 2016
    10
    This game is painfully addicting! I've put in about 60 hours at this point just trying to perfect some of the early top scores. Simple and amazing game!

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Cubed3
    Dec 16, 2025
    70
    The Bug Butcher is a fun, finely-polished, Pang-inspired shooter that modernises the classic formula with sharp controls, frantic pacing and charming presentation. Its short campaign and limited modes hold it back, making it a title that’s great for short bursts but not for extended play. Think of it as a small snack between the bigger meals. A snack made out of vibrantly colourful alien insects, that is. If the price is right, it’s a solid recommendation for arcade afficionados and not only.
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  2. DarkZero
    Apr 26, 2016
    100
    It’s got that great arcade feel and frantic pace you look for in a title like this, and is so deftly executed it could delight the most stridently anti-nostalgia gamer.
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  3. DarkStation
    Mar 3, 2016
    80
    While The Bug Butcher won’t be amazing gamers with its unique premise anytime soon, it’s a game that is well worth playing for a handful of hours.
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