The Bug Butcher Reviews
There must have been more the developers could have done with the game to keep it going for longer, and considering some of the repetitiveness and a lack of interesting levels, I think they definitely should have. But otherwise, the game is well worth a look for any shooter or bullet hell fans. It's exciting and enjoyably challenging with an aesthetic and mechanical twist that sets it apart from the plethora of other shooters available.
If this is the first efforts from Awfully Nice Studios, it's a damned good one. While the Bug Butcher won't win any awards for innovation, it definitely will with how much fun you'll have with the same. Simple, frantic, charming and fun are easily the four best words to describe The Bug Butcher. It's also nice to know that Awfully Nice Studios is constantly fixing bugs (No pun intended) that are found in the game, so it's also nice to see that they're committed to making this the best experience it can be.
The Bug Butcher is a little, nice game. Its funny and cleverly designed, but too short and a little boring in the second half of the game.
Review in Italian | Read full review
I went into The Bug Butcher with few expectations, so I was pleasantly surprised by how well the classic arcade mechanics held up to today's standards. It's a challenging game that never feels cheap or unfair.
Like an RPG, there must be ways of giving the player a customisable experience that you can continuously tweak and invest in. But this isn't the case here. It just doesn't have enough variety to separate itself from seeming like a free flash game
The Bug Butcher is a flashy and fun arcade experience.
The rough-around-the-edges menus and price might pose problems for some people, but The Bug Butcher breaks convention. The cute and vivid insects put phobias to bed, and because anti-hero Harry only fires his weapons vertically, the gameplay reinvents side-scrolling shooter mindsets.
The art and animations all feel at home in the universe this studio has produced, giving a cartoony kid-friendly vibe that's violent but not over the top.
All these elements come together to make an arcade-style game that easily lives up to its Pang/Buster Bros.
I loved the responsive controls, and that's a big factor when examining an action-heavy game like this, but the presentation is also commendable. The art and sound design play pivotal roles. Bugs are squishy, just as you'd expect, while power-ups serve as a visual and auditory jolt of energy. The thumping electronic soundtrack is unrelenting, further helping to keep you in The Zone.