Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

 Switch
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 133 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 110 out of 133
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 133
  3. Negative: 17 out of 133

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. ORD3R
    May 20, 2023
    10
    I can’t recommend this game enough. Is it perfect? Not at all. The medals could use some tweaking, and a few of the side quests are just downright stupid, but everything else is done so well I don’t care.
  2. Bunnyoven
    Dec 9, 2022
    9
    Bug fables from the very beginning is a beautiful love letter to Paper Mario, from the art style to the music and everything in between it brings me back to what I remember that game being on the Nintendo 64. That's what makes this such an amazing game it makes me feel like I'm a kid again, but there are so many quality of life features that I am not even going to begin to try to listBug fables from the very beginning is a beautiful love letter to Paper Mario, from the art style to the music and everything in between it brings me back to what I remember that game being on the Nintendo 64. That's what makes this such an amazing game it makes me feel like I'm a kid again, but there are so many quality of life features that I am not even going to begin to try to list them. If you're looking for a light turn-based RPG with a pretty great story and really fun writing then I would suggest this game for your next play.… Expand
  3. Third_Era
    Oct 11, 2022
    9
    Better than Paper Mario, but not quite as good as Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door. Great cast of characters and a well done story. Includes a Hard Mode if you want a more difficult challenge.
  4. stupidopinion
    Jul 20, 2022
    9
    A pretty great turn based RPG with some great characters and a fun story that prods at the imagination. The combat system is good, providing a neat challenge both in strategy and actual gameplay. It is very derivative of the old Paper Mario games, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do feel more could be done to distinguish its combat from those titles. The humor and worldbuildingA pretty great turn based RPG with some great characters and a fun story that prods at the imagination. The combat system is good, providing a neat challenge both in strategy and actual gameplay. It is very derivative of the old Paper Mario games, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do feel more could be done to distinguish its combat from those titles. The humor and worldbuilding are great and feel unique to this world, and the plot twists that amp up toward the latter half of the game make for an experience I won't soon forget. There are some graphical issues and some issues with pacing, but it's a surprisingly great first game for Moonsprout and I'm excited for their next one.

    40 hours to complete and Vi is the best    … Expand
  5. nz500
    Jun 27, 2022
    10
    One of my favorite games ever! A perfect love letter to the original Paper Mario series.
  6. TheLinkgirl
    May 17, 2022
    9
    Bug Fables is a game that takes a simple concept, playing as bugs, and perfectly demonstrates how well one can execute such an idea. The giant world feels brilliant, taking place entirely in a garden, while you're so small that sand pits become sprawling deserts. Combat feels brilliant, as the characters compliment each other perfectly, with strengths and weaknesses for every situation.Bug Fables is a game that takes a simple concept, playing as bugs, and perfectly demonstrates how well one can execute such an idea. The giant world feels brilliant, taking place entirely in a garden, while you're so small that sand pits become sprawling deserts. Combat feels brilliant, as the characters compliment each other perfectly, with strengths and weaknesses for every situation. The characters are also a joy to witness in the story and world, and make every moment of this game feel great from the writing alone. It's difficult to properly sum up a game that you love, but for me Bug Fables is a near perfect execution of what Paper Mario attempted to do.… Expand
  7. TSNintendogamer
    Apr 1, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. omg, it's become one of my favorite games of all time. I love the music. I listen to it almost every day. It's very much like paper mario which I love all while it's doing it's own thing. The story is great as the characters are great along with a plot twist. Lastly they fixed some things that the paper mario games had like back tracking and I like how there are side quests in the game too. Just watch out for the 7th chapter. Very nerve racking.… Expand
  8. Elite_Institute
    Mar 5, 2022
    9
    "All in all, Bug Fables is an excellent title that I would recommend to everyone. RPG fans, particular those who like Paper Mario should especially grab this at their earliest opportunity. The game is so good, however, that I am pretty sure non RPG fans like myself will also have a damn good time. It may not be very replayable, as is the case with the genre, but there’s certainly a lot of"All in all, Bug Fables is an excellent title that I would recommend to everyone. RPG fans, particular those who like Paper Mario should especially grab this at their earliest opportunity. The game is so good, however, that I am pretty sure non RPG fans like myself will also have a damn good time. It may not be very replayable, as is the case with the genre, but there’s certainly a lot of bang for your bug (sorry)."

    https://theeliteinstitute.net/2021/01/07/bug-fables-the-everlasting-sapling/    … Expand
  9. fanmadeendings
    Feb 15, 2022
    9
    It takes everything that makes TTYD good and evolves the heck out of it! Love the narrative and the characters, and the new battle system is so much fun!
  10. Herovero
    Jan 15, 2022
    10
    1. Without a doubt, bug fables is an indie game that surpassed the quality of Nintendo games, many fans assume it as a paper mario rpg and I completely agree their nonsense lmfao
    2. It's pretty cool to see how the main menu screen added more characters as you advance through the story
    3. The menu codes are well-founded for pros who seek for tougher challenges, MYSTERY? is my fav of all    1. Without a doubt, bug fables is an indie game that surpassed the quality of Nintendo games, many fans assume it as a paper mario rpg and I completely agree their nonsense lmfao
    2. It's pretty cool to see how the main menu screen added more characters as you advance through the story
    3. The menu codes are well-founded for pros who seek for tougher challenges, MYSTERY? is my fav of all because the location of medals are randomized which lead to infinite replay value
    4. Vi, Kabbu and Leif interactive conversations > Goombario and Goombella's overworld ability
    5. Front back line gimmicks and relay system
    6. Hard mode medal, there's no need to say more
    7. Backtracking from side quests aren't as annoying as PM series
    8. The card system, I played it over 50 times
    9. Boss rush and 50 rounds trial
    10. You can unlock a pet and name it Chomp
    11. Promising originality (characters, enemies, world themes, etc)
    12. Chapter 5 Wasp kingdom, Chapter 7 ice puzzles and arcade games are the only flaws
    13. Ummmmmm out of context, TOK sucks compared to it    … Expand
  11. tonymagz
    Oct 19, 2021
    9
    I am a MASSIVE Paper Mario 64 and TTYD fan. Replayed both of them many times. Like many I have been more than disappointed with what Nintendo has done with that series.
    Bug Fables came out of left field for me. I had somehow never heard of it but suddenly it was released on the Switch, and it popped up on my radar.
    This game is a spiritual successor in every sense of the phrase. It takes    I am a MASSIVE Paper Mario 64 and TTYD fan. Replayed both of them many times. Like many I have been more than disappointed with what Nintendo has done with that series.
    Bug Fables came out of left field for me. I had somehow never heard of it but suddenly it was released on the Switch, and it popped up on my radar.
    This game is a spiritual successor in every sense of the phrase. It takes many of their mechanics and does them even better. It has really great lore, and wonderful story telling. Instead of many partners, you're just three bugs which does allow a lot more focus on their individual stories and arcs.
    Battles can get HARD. I beat the whole thing on hard mode but had plenty of trouble in doing so. The medals (badges) allow you to make some pretty elaborate builds.
    I plan on going back for the side quests and to complete the optional bosses.
    If I have to nitpick, the controls are a bit awkward at times in the overworld, like with Vi's boomerang. Also, I like the soundtrack but the instruments feel very MIDI-ey at times. I feel like taking the same soundtrack with some better instrument MIDI could have been better.
    Overall I adored this game and would recommend it to any Paper Mario or Mario & Luigi fan.    … Expand
  12. iMustang
    Oct 12, 2021
    8
    Bug Fables delivers on the exact promise it stands for - Paper Mario 3. This game is truly the sequel we've waited nearly two decades for as it takes all the concepts of Paper Mario and pushes them to the next step, expanding upon the formula we know and love. The developers clearly knew their target audience as well; not only does this game call back to a nostalgic formula, it was createdBug Fables delivers on the exact promise it stands for - Paper Mario 3. This game is truly the sequel we've waited nearly two decades for as it takes all the concepts of Paper Mario and pushes them to the next step, expanding upon the formula we know and love. The developers clearly knew their target audience as well; not only does this game call back to a nostalgic formula, it was created in such a way that the difficulty itself would have aged with it's audience. This game can be downright brutal at times, yet always remains fair and gives it's player a chance to succeed. In many ways this game is even better than any Paper Mario with a heavier focus on story and lore, a vibrant cast of characters with great depth and growth, and a large amount of side-quests and optional areas to explore. You can spend anywhere between 25-100 hours playing this game depending on how much you want to put into it, and it always feels rewarding to play.

    If I have any complaints, aside from the difficulty curve, it's that some of the best parts of this story is hidden. To learn about one of the main character's pasts requires a side quest line, which leads to the story focusing on this plot point for a bit until they shelve it unless you want to pursue the answers on your own. Same with resolving the plots of two other characters, which is a shame because they're more interesting than the main narrative, so I would have rather they incorporated those journeys into the main plot. There is also a lot of unresolved plot points, which may or may not be explained in the hidden lore books (which notably I did not collect), but either way it feels odd to end a journey with so many unanswered questions. Also sometimes the witty dialogue the characters say disappear too quickly, which is a shame to those of us who don't read very fast. These complaints are very minor in the grand scheme of things however; at the end of the day, Bug Fables is a journey every Paper Mario fan should go on. If you can handle a greater challenge, you will be greatly rewarded.    … Expand
  13. Haman2628
    Sep 6, 2021
    10
    Well thought out game with a ton of great content. It took me 40 hours to finish the main game and all of the side quests. Excellent value!
  14. WhoDaDev
    Aug 6, 2021
    10
    The best recent Paper Mario game, honestly I'm kinda worried Nintendo might send them a cease and desist this is so close to the original Paper Mario games.
  15. Denvers
    Jul 5, 2021
    10
    I've never played an RPG Paper Mario game, and yet, this game blew me away. It is an absolute masterpiece of a game. Everything you come to expect out of a great RPG is here - fantastic characters, a charming world, and a story that is surprisingly touching. I can not recommend this game more.
  16. chriswenzel
    Jul 2, 2021
    10
    Completely superior to the latest Paper Mario game in every way, Bug Fables is what Paper Mario fans wanted and sadly never got.
  17. Yeoldemillenial
    Jun 30, 2021
    10
    This game is a f*cking blast! If you loved mario rpg, paper mario and paper the 1000 year door you gonna LOVE this spiritual successor. If nintendo doesn't want release a paper mario with true rpg elements, these developers pulled something amazing off! The characters, and the fighing elements are engaging and just pure gun to play. I can recommend it to paper mario fans, rpg loverd andThis game is a f*cking blast! If you loved mario rpg, paper mario and paper the 1000 year door you gonna LOVE this spiritual successor. If nintendo doesn't want release a paper mario with true rpg elements, these developers pulled something amazing off! The characters, and the fighing elements are engaging and just pure gun to play. I can recommend it to paper mario fans, rpg loverd and gamers of all kond! Just love it… Expand
  18. CheezeeButter
    Jun 29, 2021
    10
    This games story, lore gameplay, world, side quest and all have been a damn great experience I’ve not had ever before! I cannot wait to see what else Moonsprout Games has in store!
  19. 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
  20. danxz5
    May 11, 2021
    10
    Better than paper mario! It has better dialogue with characters, better RPG elements, a more lively world.
  21. Z3ROV
    May 8, 2021
    10
    Le doy un diez ya que aparte de ser mi segundo videojuego favorito solo está hecho por tres personas, el juego merece un gran apoyo ya que es un juegazo y no es muy conocido en la comunidad hispana.
    Tiene unos gráficos buenos, no son increíbles pero eso es lo que menos me importa a mí, la música es espectacular, de la mejor que he escuchado en un videojuego con la de Super Mario Galaxy 2,    Le doy un diez ya que aparte de ser mi segundo videojuego favorito solo está hecho por tres personas, el juego merece un gran apoyo ya que es un juegazo y no es muy conocido en la comunidad hispana.
    Tiene unos gráficos buenos, no son increíbles pero eso es lo que menos me importa a mí, la música es espectacular, de la mejor que he escuchado en un videojuego con la de Super Mario Galaxy 2, la historia es muy buena, la dificultad es asequible pero puedes ponerte más dificultad si eso deseas, la duración es de más de 40 horas y si haces todas las sidequests son más de 80 horas, hablando de ellas, son muy entretenidas y hay algunas con jefes muy desafiantes como Madame Scarlet, el juego es lo que los fans de Papel Mario piden, yo amo los 3 últimos Paper Mario pero admito que no son ni de lejos lo que la comunidad queria, si no habéis jugado este juego hacedlo ya, esta es m    … Expand
  22. Ishrod24
    Apr 18, 2021
    10
    Wow! Great game! Got it on sale for 17$ and it’s worth the price of a full game! Beautiful art style! This game did what Mario origami king couldn’t ! Awesome combat! Get the game thank me later!
  23. Hangedman84
    Jan 31, 2021
    10
    The game plunged me back to my childhood times! This is a gorgeous little gem in the game world!

    10 bugs from 10!
  24. MoonWaffle07
    Dec 30, 2020
    10
    Amazing. A loving tribute to the early Paper Mario games, and an incredible game in it’s own right. Amazing soundtrack, Story, Gameplay, and art style, this is one of, if not my favorite game of all time.
  25. YoppaChanDesu
    Dec 17, 2020
    9
    One of the best Indie games on the Switch, and fills a void in the library. Really enjoyable, would recommend to Paper Mario fans easily.
  26. Low_Ink
    Sep 15, 2020
    10
    I've never played TTYD but I can officially say this is my favorite game of all time. The only downside to this being from an indie is that it doesn't have the most detailed sprites. Yet this is still 100 times better than what Nintendo's doing. It took me about 35 hours to beat the main game in normal mode with many more to come soon. Also the music is astounding! Just check out "theyI've never played TTYD but I can officially say this is my favorite game of all time. The only downside to this being from an indie is that it doesn't have the most detailed sprites. Yet this is still 100 times better than what Nintendo's doing. It took me about 35 hours to beat the main game in normal mode with many more to come soon. Also the music is astounding! Just check out "they call him spooder".

    (Don't call him that)    … Expand
  27. 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
  28. Jubal16
    Aug 26, 2020
    10
    Excellent RPG Game. Notoriously taking classic Paper Mario's style, this indie game really felt like a spiritual succesor, having a great story, great battling system, good music and overall, a rather pleasant adventure.
  29. MrOvechkin
    Aug 26, 2020
    10
    Paper Maro 1&2 fans will cum playing this game hard facts haha. Beat the game under 35 hours. Plenty of other side quests still to do. 10/10
  30. M1sfiT__
    Aug 23, 2020
    8
    Map design extremamente confuso. Você acaba se perdendo e não sabe se já foi ali ou não, mas é um jogo muito bom.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best Switch Game of 2020
22
#22 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Aug 29, 2020
    85
    Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling shattered my skepticism through its amazing main characters, quirky NPCs, challenging battles and interesting locales, and I sincerely hope more players will give it a shot. [Issue #47 – July/August 2020, p. 26]
  2. SpazioGames
    Jun 18, 2020
    84
    Bug Fables is much more than a loving tribute to the first two episodes of the Paper Mario franchise: it is a beautifully crafted rpg adventure that any Switch owner should not miss.
    Read full review
  3. Cubed3
    Jun 16, 2020
    80
    Everyone that is excited over the prospect of the upcoming Paper Mario: The Origami King needs to pick this up. While Sticker Star and Colour Splash took the series in quite unwelcomed directions, this fully embraces the original. The combat system keeps things constantly engaging, the world is inviting, and the trio of main characters utterly charming. This is a world that deserves to be further explored and returned to, and it will hopefully see future instalments. The Origami King has some genuine competition here.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »