Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

This game wears its inspiration on its sleeve - If you are a fan of the classic Paper Mario games and wished Nintendo had made more of those, then this is a game made by and for people like you. The visuals did turn me off a little bit at first, but the style grew on me the more that I played.

I don't think leaving it at that would really do this game justice, however. The heart this game has elevates it beyond being a mere imitator. There is a large cast of fun and memorable characters to meet, a combat system that is easy to approach and rewarding to master, and a fun and lively world with an adventure that has plenty of twists and turns.

And, at least for me, this game does the thing that any truly great piece of family-friendly media does: It is appropriate and approachable for a younger audience, but has depth and approaches some more mature themes in a way that will keep older players engaged.

I keep thinking about it and keep wanting to come back and play more of it. I won't say the game is criminally underrated, since you can see the steam reviews here for yourself, but it definitely deserves a lot more exposure than it has gotten. Easy to recommend, one of my favorite games of all time.

would you rather have unlimited bugs, but no more fables, or fables, unlimited fables, but no fables?

very good game. its like paper mario the thousand year door, but better in many ways

The Flower Journey almost made me racist. Good game, would recommend. If you are a fan of paper mario, this is the game for you.

This game was amazing! A game where I'm not rushed to finish the story before enjoying the side stuff is always a good time. For the story itself, it is a masterpiece and really has you feeling all sorts of ways. The game never fails to get you in the right mood for certain situations. Not every aspect of the characters is locked behind the story either. If you randomly venture off during a random part of the story, you are almost guaranteed to find something interesting. I would sometimes take breaks from the main story to do side quests or enjoy the scenery of the game. This game also has way more extras than any game I've seen before. You have all the side quests, discoveries, minigames, and just way more to do than just battle enemies and do puzzles. This game is a 10/10 and was well worth it. I've already recommended it to others and it is a must play for those who want to get something worth it out of their money.

bug fables is one of my favorite games ever; discounting nostalgia for its paper mario-like gameplay, it's snappy, intuitive, and for lack of a better word, makes sense. exploration is rewarded with cool badges and little collectibles, and i never felt too forced into doing quests for berry or xp rewards.
without spoiling anything, the characters, especially the main cast, are all wonderful, i like the story though some may call it basic, and everything in the world is compelling.

i will admit that i felt like there was some missed potential in a few npcs here and there, but i will also say that i played the game before the most recent update that allowed you to have npc partners, so this point may be moot. there are also a few locations where it's just a little too confusing to go through for the first time, but i think that's a given for these kinds of games.

overall, 10/10 game, pretty perfect for what it is.

It's Paper Mario with bugs and it's done well with care and love.
What more do you need to hear?

This game is honestly best way to play paper luigi "Legally" without needing to spent your life spending on expensive xbox console

I got this game a whim and was I happy I did. I relived the days of playing paper Mario on GameCube. The turn based strategy at first felt hard, but as soon as you understand the mechanics and every little bug’s advantage, you can breeze through. The game itself is cozy and so cute with funny dialogue. I cannot get over the cute little bug pals and I do hope there is more to come. You can really tell the developers poured their soul into this game. Great on steam deck.

I have owned this game since around release; the thing that sold me is a team behind Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door, which was one of my all time favorite GameCube games, was also behind this game. I have yet to play it after 5 years but I know once I actually do sit down and play the magic will flow just as it did when I was 5 years old playing TTYD for the first time.

oh my god dude, like i usually dont like write indepth reviews but like

this is easily one of the best games ive honestly ever played
the story is just nice, the characters have so much time to breathe

AND THE GAME DESIGN IS AMAZING... WTF...

and not just that, theres so much genuine just love and care and just content in this game
im genuinely in shock here...
ttyd walked so this can literally do 20 laps across the universe

i think im glazing this alot tho its peak pls play it if you have the time and money...

It has a good story, it is good strategy game, and it has cool characters

I've loved this game ever since I've played. If you are a fan of paper mario and similar RPGs, this game is for you. The soundtrack is amazing and continues to be part of my top albums on spotify.

To preface: I completed the game on normal difficulty, not Hard. My reaction time is nowhere near as good as it used to be, and I found Normal a somewhat easy, but still challenging at points game. For most people, Normal difficulty might actually be too easy, but it was just about perfect for me.

I absolutely adore this game. The writing is pleasant, and the main characters bounce off one another in very rewarding and realistic ways. There are never any yammering exposition dumps, and any exposition that needs to be delivered is done in a natural, in character way. The gameplay is fun, and the minimal rewards for leveling up, in my opinion, adds to the games fun. Two or three level ups might not seem to do much, but every health point, medal point, and teamwork point matters, and as the game goes on, you'll grow to appreciate these small increases in ability. The bosses are generally fun tests of skill, and the way the world is put together... Not going to spoil, but what seems somewhat silly and odd has a moment where you go 'Ohhh, that makes PERFECT sense now.'

Honestly, there are only two complaints. One, the backtracking gets a little annoying sometimes, and this coupled with how healing items have to be crafted (with the most powerful healing item requiring three different stops) can be frustrating. And two, there's usually a point where you can't QUITE auto-kill enemies, but you understand the best ways to kill them, so you still have to go through multi-step, 45 second long fights that begin to become a slog.

Other than those two genuinely minor complaints, though, this is a wonderful, fun, well written RPG with a likeable cast of characters and a genuinely interested and engaging world, with gameplay that (other than two small issues) remains engaging throughout.

I really enjoy this game. Really captures the enjoyment of the old Paper Mario games. Hoping we will get more from these developers <3

Really good game, I was not expecting it to go so hard or that i would be so invested in the story and lore
Also can people please stop only talking about this game in relation to paper mario, it can stand on its own!

Really good RPG, heavily inspired by the Paper Mario series, although the battles are a bit different.
The characters and world are great and as far as I can tell, nothing is really missable.

Paper Mario and PM: TTYD were two of my absolute favorite games growing up. The battle mechanics truly elevated the engagement of the RPG battles and the aesthetic world created out of paper was enthralling. It had much more character/flavor than traditional Mario games; Mario took a backseat to the colorful cast and inspired locations.

For years, I was told Bug Fables was a passion project that reinvigorated the same formula Paper Mario once had. And I know starting a review for a game talking about a different game is rude, but the game so laughably fails to grasp what made Paper Mario good that I think it's fitting.

Everything here, from gameplay to story feels watered down. There is no aesthetic tying the game down, one of Paper Mario's biggest strengths. The "paper" aesthetic it so obviously borrows from Paper Mario serves no function: It is haphazardly held together with bland textures, and this aesthetic has no effect on the game mechanically. All the assets are 2D because... ? It ultimately gives the visual design a very amateur feel. On the topic of design, the leaf wheel used to perform actions is WAY too hideous to be present in every fight.
With lackluster visual design, gameplay and story need to carry, which neither do. There are no notable innovations to battle systems that Paper Mario didn't have. Story wise, the character writing is passable, with the main cast being enjoyable; Outside of that it is mostly devoid of creativity. There are SO MANY cool bug-themed locations I can think of and NONE OF THEM are in this game. Almost all locations felt like TOWN A or LOCATION B. You are literally in "BUG-aria" so idk I guess that's the level of creativity you can expect.
All these lackluter designs make for a very, very mediocre game. But what really drove me to make this review are the GOD AWFUL sound effects (they pierce into my brain in all the wrong ways) and the UI visual design. I can't believe they were confident enough to showcase the menus in a trailer: Everything is so bulbous and tacky.

I think someone less cynical (like a child) could really enjoy this game for what it is. But I cannot fathom how this is so highly rated.

Cute, little game. As others stated, the game is reminiscent of Paper Mario. The devs did a wonderful job with creating the same vibe.
On start, the whole menu looks low effort/childish, but it grows on you. My minor complaint would be some abilities are mapped to the same button with the difference between them being if its held, single tap, or double tap, and I never outgrew inputting the wrong ability. Maybe dedicated ability key to pick certain ones, but it's a minor annoyance. Otherwise, a certified hidden gem of a game.

One of the best modern RPGs I'ver ever played. This game takes the "Paper Mario" style and nails it PERFECTLY. The gameplay keeps from getting boring via action commands and the story is genuinely intriguing.

I don't really know what I can say about this game that others already haven't, but it felt like a disservice to the game to not review it. Don't let the play time on here fool you, I mostly play the game on another console and have put well over 200 hours into the game on it. ^^;

Bug Fables is genuinely such a good game, and even after three years of playing it and being involved with the fandom I still have such a love for it. It's a cute, fun, and at times emotional experience with great music and a main cast you can really get attached to surrounded by so many more characters that make the whole world feel lively. Cannot recommend it enough!

One of my favorite games of all time. I bought this a few years ago on switch, and with the recent (free!) content update releasing I finally decided to finish my hard mode playthrough on PC.

Bug Fables carries a ton of nostalgia and sentimental value for me, and replaying it has only helped to cement those feelings. It's a genuinely fun and great game. The art, music, and characters are all exceptional. It's colorful and whimsical but at the same time has some really cool story moments.

I'm probably going to 100% this game for the full insect experience.

i like bug fable

If you like Paper Mario or RPGs in general, you will absolutely LOVE this game!
The story is great, dialogue witty, characters loving. Soundtrack was really good. The combat is very similar Paper Mario. And the world building and lore is SO intriguing!

Such an absolute GEM!!

this game almost perfectly replicates that feeling 15-ish years ago when i would play paper mario thousand year door on my game cube

it feels like stepping on a perfectly crunchy leaf in that spot between fall and winter

it feels like the first bite of a fresh crisp apple

its combat is fun and snappy, movement feels like your a kid going on an adventure, the whole game is bug and insect themed

and the story has got hooks and barbs, as in i'm hooked and want to finish this game even if i'm stressed because i want to see where its story goes

The best Paper Mario by far. It's funny, colorful, I love the characters and their interaction, and the active battles are very fun. It has its slow sections, but overall it is a great and memorable journey.

PS: Runs flawlessly on the ROG Ally at 10W, max settings.

although it seems like I only have 6 hours on this game, i have over 400 hours on my switch. I am ADDICTED to this game, the characters, the story, the art style, the gameplay, EVERYTHING! The only complaint i have about this game is the lack of updates, which as been filled with the recent 2.0 update!! Thank you for filling the empty paper mario rpg void in recent times, and thank you for this amazing game.

Bugs are badass, especially Leif, he's the coolest, cause he's a moth, and moth's are the bomb.com

I originally played this when it came out but due to there being a new update with extra content, I feel it's right to finally leave a review (can't believe I haven't) It's an amazing game with a surprising amount of content. I got 60 hours in one playthrough, granted I 100%ed the game, as many here have. Like everyone is saying, if you love old Paper Mario games, this will feel right at home to you.

With lovable characters, witty writings, clever improvements to the PM's battle system and much more, Bug Fables is definitely one of the games I've enjoyed the most. I'd like to highlight, however, the HUGE love and passion from the developers, which is evident throughout the whole game.

This passion is seen on Bug Fables' many updates. Despite it already having a couple of years since its release, there's been lots of extra content. Content that could have EASILY been sold as a DLC; yet its free for everyone. From more boss fights, equipment, control over the ways you play, etc., it makes me genuinly happy to suddenly see this game giving more to its players. Bug Fables is one of the absolute best purchases I've ever done.

I know this game was made with the aesthetics of another game in mind, but comparing it to that would be a disservice for both games, as they are both amazing products from developers with a clear vision and respect for their craft.

A really excellent and heartfelt RPG that's much more than its inspirations!!! Happy 5 years, Bug Fables, and thanks for all the fun <3

This is such a good game its really sad how underrated it is the story is great also leif :3

best gam eva made
it has fishing now too so it like, same quality as terraria now

also it make me nostalgic which make it best game eveerrrrrr!!1111

This become one of my favorite games due to the music being some of the best OST I've heard, the characters are really enjoyable, alot of small details that give the game more personality, and it being a Paper Mario inspired game with the visuals and writing. This was one of my favorite games to 100% and in my opinion, was better than Paper Mario. I love this game to death and it was also a fun challenge since some of these fights will kick your ass pretty hard (especially hard mode + hard hits, Don't get me started on TUFFBUGS).
Vi is great, Kabbu is awesome, Leif is cool, and Chompy is cute.
10/10

It's the first game i ever 100%-ed for a reason.

I LOVE EVERYTHING IN THIS.
I love the story, the characters, the mechanics, and Leif a lot.

the ONLY problems in this game are that poison strats are a bit too op compared to the other debuff strats(except shock trooper strats which are op but in return are really tiring & boring when using repeatedly), and that you only unlock running when you start chapter 3, which can be really annoying when you're trying to unlock as much stuff as possible before progressing more through the main story.

still, the game is really good, as poison strats are still risky as you take damage every turn whilst usually having a very offensive build, and chapter 1-2 are much shorter than other chapters.

Lastly, SOON LEIF SHALL FREEZE ALL THAT DEFIES HIM, AND EVEN SOONER SHALL HE DOMINATE THE OVERGROWN BACKYARD!!

this game literally changed my life forever

Start of game: hehe funy buge
Middle of game: oh my god, these characters' backstories are heartbreaking! And the lengths some people would go to for power is horrifying!
End of game: hehe funy buge

I haven't been so much invested in both lore and gameplay since undertale. Really hoping for a sequel

rEALLY FUN rpg GAME. iT'S VERY UP FRONT WITH ITS pAPER mARIO INSPIRATION BUT IT STILL FEELS LIKE ITS OWN THING. imo IT REALLY IMPROVES ON WHAT MADE THE og PAPER MARIO GAMES FUN.

Very silly bug game :steamhappy:

Truly loved this to death. I had a comfortably challenging playthrough on hard mode all the way through. Honestly there's just so much love put into this game that there's too much to say. <3

Short review after 100% the game: what can i say, when i downloaded this game and it was below 300 mb i thought what a nice small game, little did i know this would be a massive long and epic adventure.

Pros:
- Awesome setting, lore and worldbuilding about bugs, their civilizations and adventure
- Trigger and timebased attacks and defence in a turnbased rpg rewarding timing and combo button pressing while punishing you on hard mode (similar to mario rpg, sometimes you need to do perfect blocks and attacks) making combat engaging
- Great characters and skills utilizing skill based system for performing attacks and defence
- Beatiful music and graphics, world makes you feel like you are a small bug exploring a vast world
- Good combination of puzzles and varied enemies who require some strategy to beat (flip them on their back, freeze them etc.)
- A lot of sidequests, side bosses, secret bosses, some minigames, and backtracking to explore older areas when you get some new skills, you get your moneys worth in terms of content

Cons:
- Only 3 main characters and one half character (chompy !) makes it sometimes feel a bit boring
- Slow traverse speed at beggining to midgame when you dont have travel skills or travel points yet unlocked
- Cooking takes a long time, no batch cooking if not mistaken you need to cook 1 dish at a time (you can speed up the animation with a button press but still to slow)
- Some bosses feel like you need to cheeze em with freeze

Can easily recommend to any rpg lovers, what a gem of a game. If the normal price is to much wait for a sale.

If you like the Paper Mario series, then you're gonna love this game! Bug Fables does everything what a Paper Mario game does but BETTER and more engaging. If you needed to scratch that Paper Mario itch. This is the game for you!

Side note: Vi is the best character. Don't @me

I loved this game - the exploration, the difficulty curve, the characters - all of it.

every character in this game is incredibly huggable

Fun game just not my cup of tea nessacarily. Definitely would recommend for people that are a fan of the genre.

Loved every second of it (except flower journey) and if you like paper mario you'll love this game too!

sabes que pasa? cierta empresa japonesa vio q, no solamente este es un juegazo, sino q los pibes queriamos ESTE tipo de RPG y no mover un cubo rubik para alinear a los enemigos y sacar un combo mas aburrido que leer ambito financiero. Entonces, arrancaron los remakes, y aun asi, este le sigue pasando el trapo COMODISIMO. Encima los pibes son de Panama.

Salud desde argentina, colegas latinos!

This game is a upsetting reminder of how far Paper Mario has fallen in modern years (excluding Colour Splash), however I do think it is compared too often to Thousand Year Door and so many people ignore the benefits this game has over even those classic games, like actually interesting and compelling main characters. This game is extremely well put together and should honestly be considered better than any Paper Mario game has managed.

Honestly the most solid package I've ever played. Everything about the game is so charming and the replay value is incredible.