Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling Reviews

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is ranked in the 93rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Nov 30, 2019

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is easily one of the best games of 2019. It’s not just a worthy successor to Paper Mario, which serves as its obvious inspiration—in many ways, Bug Fables is an even better game. Those who determine value based on how long a playthrough lasts will be thrilled to learn that it’s easy to play for 40 hours or more. Those who appreciate pacing will be glad to hear that there’s no padding to reach that playtime. Whether you’re looking for a game with well-written characters who grow on you, mechanics that allow you to devise interesting strategies, secrets waiting to be discovered and subsequently exploited, or a soundtrack full of catchy themes, Bug Fables delivers in a big way.

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Jan 24, 2020

Bug Fables starts out as a totally fine homage to Paper Mario, but as you play the game you realize that the game has a lot to offer. If you really want something in that sort of ballpark, this game is definitely worth your time. If you don’t like Paper Mario specifically, then its a bit harder to recommend. It’s currently $20 on Steam, and beating it will likely take around 30-35 hours, and if you’re a completionist, it can easily get over 40 hours. I think it’s a little too long for its own good, but still worthwhile.

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9 / 10
May 16, 2020

Bug Fables proudly wears its Paper Mario inspirations on its sleeves and it in many ways stands as my favorite interpretation of the style yet.

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9 / 10.0
May 27, 2020

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is a game that may look like other RPGs you’ve played, but it offers an entirely unique and memorable experience. The game’s quirky cast of characters fuels this adventure for more than 50 hours, while the narrative makes it easy to stay engaged and want to see this story through until the end. Now that it’s on consoles, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be playing it.

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100 / 100
May 28, 2020

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is the Paper Mario we've been waiting for for over fifteen years. It's aesthetically pleasing to look at, the main characters have an amusing dynamic, and it has a fun turn-based battle system with real time elements and strategy. I urge not only Paper Mario fans to give it the chance it deserves, but anyone that has ever picked up an RPG.

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Nintendo Enthusiast
Ben Lamoreux
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
May 28, 2020

If you love classic Paper Mario games, Bug Fables is an absolute must-have. It eases you in with everything you know and love from the Nintendo RPGs, then consistently impresses with new tweaks and innovations. It may lack the built-in charm of the Mario brand, but I fell in love with the characters and story just the same. I can confidently say it has earned a spot alongside the games that inspired its creation.

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9.5 / 10.0
May 28, 2020

At the end of the day, Bug Fables is wearing its inspirations proudly on it's sleeve, and still adding on its own experiences that are both meaningful and fun for players. I had a blast with this game, and I highly recommend it to all kinds of players, whether they be looking to dive into a fun story with lovable characters, trying a more tangible, interactive combat-focused game, or just attempting a challenge. Bug Fables does not pull its punches, especially in it's hard mode, but it gives such bountiful rewards, that I am simply left having to return the favor.

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4 / 5.0
May 28, 2020

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling does an excellent job capturing the Paper Mario spirit while still being its own game and having its own identity, and the journey onto the Switch is essentially flawless. Though some of the platforming sections can be a little frustrating at times, the effort is all worth it to indulge in the fast-paced, well written tale of a trio of bugs.

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Alana Hagues
Top Critic
90%
May 28, 2020

You better bee-lieve how good this is.

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8.6 / 10.0
May 28, 2020

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is an indie gem. The exciting look á la Paper Mario and the mature combat system, you will have fun playing the game throughout. You can also see the difficulty level. Quite early you get a coin where you can activate the hard mode. If the normal level of difficulty is not enough, you can safely choose the hard mode. By the adaptation with the coin, the modes can be easily switched on and off. If you want to shorten the wait for the new Paper Mario, you can confidently use this excellent title.

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Metro GameCentral
Top Critic
8 / 10
May 29, 2020

The best Paper Mario game since The Thousand-Year Door, but also a charming adventure in its own right, with some surprisingly good storytelling and fun combat.

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9 / 10.0
May 29, 2020

Despite some minor nitpicks, I still absolutely loved Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling. Bug Fables: An Everlasting Sapling has an aesthetic only rivaled by its inspiration. While I would‘ve loved to have self-aware humor, it didn’t hurt the overall silliness. The game runs flawlessly, and the banter while not laugh out loud hilarious, was still full of under the breath chuckles. Until Paper Mario is released come this July, this is the quintessential paperized adventure.

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Jun 1, 2020

"Bug's Life is real."

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Jun 2, 2020

A bit of a triumph, Bug Fables is a superbly polished independent tribute to the first two Paper Mario games – but that's not to say it doesn't have its own, strong identity. The sheer familiarity is a little bit wearying at times – seriously, it's like it's been traced over in places – but Paper Mario with the serial numbers filed off is still a very good time. There's plenty to see and do, a rather compulsive card game to play and hidden secrets all over the place. Add all this silky-smooth performance, a splendid soundtrack and turn-based combat that's never less than engaging and you've got a surefire winner here. Maybe now people will quit "bugging" Nintendo for a throwback Paper Mario. Pun intended. (Sorry.)

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Jun 5, 2020

One of the issues that people have with some of the more recent Mario RPG titles is that they've become gimmicky and rather shallow as a consequence. Bug Fables is nowhere near as refined as Nintendo's efforts, but they also represent a back-to-basics approach to the mechanics and structure of these games. For many people that will be appealing, and Bug Fables is indeed an appealing effort by a small team. It would be great to see the team come back with something a little more refined with a second outing.

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8 / 10.0
Jun 8, 2020

Bright, bold and colourful. Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling adds another dimension to turn-based battles and brings platforming, puzzles and heart to a worthwhile adventure. The art-style was not to my taste but it fits the subject matter perfectly. There is a lot of game here for your money, especially if you want to see it all. Now bug off and get tucked into the game.

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7 / 10
Jun 9, 2020

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is something unusual, in the sense that it had a goal that it did not fulfill, but ends up doing a success on everything else. So while Big Fables is not a fitting tribute to Paper Mario, it still does almost everything right, especially when it comes to its plot, its combat system and the absolutely marvelous visual world. All in all, something that won't look bad in anyone's Nintendo Switch.

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TheSixthAxis
Drea Bunce
Top Critic
7 / 10
Jun 10, 2020

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is an intriguing and beautiful RPG, paying homage to classic Paper Mario games. Some areas, such as the dialogue, feel rushed, but there's a well thought out storyline and plenty of side quests and mini-games to keep you entertained.

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10 / 10.0
Jun 10, 2020

So maybe Nintendo will never make a truly great Paper Mario ever again. Lucky for us, Moonsprout Games may have cracked the chemistry of what many fans actually want from the series in Bug Fables. If you're still mad about Sticker Star, or you're still reeling about Color Splash, do yourself a favor and nab this masterpiece as soon as possible, and see what all the buzz is about. Rest assured, that even if Origami King turns out to be a dud, 2020 will see at least one great game with Paper Mario mechanics…even if it doesn't bear its name.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 15, 2020

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is a beautiful and engrossing journey, filled with fun combat that never loses its edge.

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