Bugsnax - Switch

Product Information

If you sneak a look at the Trophy list for Bugsnax, you'll see one named 'Candid Cryptid'. Its description instructs you to "Scan the Snaxsquatch". What is the Snaxsquatch? Well, it's a humanoid creature that you'll discover very late into the game. Read on for more. Where Is the Snaxsquatch and How Do You Scan It? The one hiccup I have with this sort of gameplay loop, especially towards the latter part of the game, is that the missions set by the Grumpuses can get a little repetitive. While questing is good fun for the most part, I did start to develop a sense of fatigue concerning the “collect two of these Bugsnax” or “get the Bugsnak to do the thing” objectives that take up a decent chunk of the game’s missions. So, I went into the game not knowing what to expect, and I can wholeheartedly say that I had a glorious time. Grumpuses? I love ‘em. Bugsnax Island? Perfect holiday destination. Bugsnax themselves? Tasty. Can’t get enough. Everything is so inviting, with all the design elements coming together for a playful and charming game world that welcomes you with open arms. Still, it’s the questions that lurk underneath that keep you hanging around. Follow every lead to learn more about Lizbert's band of misfits and the mysteries of Snaktooth Island. In Bugsnax, you find yourself on an island surrounded by colorful characters and dozens of food-like bugs. Your job: Capture each of the game’s creatures in inventive ways, and unravel the mysteries of the island.

The dramatic twist at the crux of the game also dials home the most important part of Bugsnax, the bit that you least expect to have you hooked, your relationship with the Grumpuses. The friendships you forge are laid on the line, and only those who truly embrace living the community life will reap the benefits of a satisfying ending, and a post-credits cutscene too. Scanning a creature also reveals its movement path. This is especially helpful when capturing Bugsnax that require the use of other tools to capture, like the Trip Shot. The investigative element of Bugsnax, much like the catching component, is a little here or there too, though it still hits more than it misses. Having landed on Bugsnax Island, you need to help Filbo find the missing residents, especially Elizabert Megafig, the island’s informal founder. As the narrative slowly unfolds, you realise that finding Elizabert is the biggest piece of puzzle pie, and you need the help of all the other Grumpuses to locate her. Feed Somebody and You'll See, We Are Whatever We Eat! Stuff your new friends with Bugsnax to customize them with countless new looks. You should also use your SnaxScope to gain more information about each character you meet. Scan every new Grumpus you encounter to reveal some fun details about them. You can even scan objects in the game, such as the various statues you come across as well as other items that might be helpful in your journey. How to use the Snak TrapThese characters are essential to the relatability of the game, and its emotional core. Almost like how if you pour through enough horoscopes, you’ll find something representative of your experiences, if you spend enough time with the Grumpuses of Snaxtown, you might find out a little something about yourself. That word is bandied about a lot now, but what I mean by human is that it isn’t a distraction piece full of faceless enemies, non-feeling protagonists, and empty dialogue. It’s an exploration of what it is to feel, and to think, almost like Pixar’s Inside Out, but you have to guess each emotional representation. It's up to you to solve the mysteries of Snaktooth Island: What happened to Lizbert? What are Bugsnax and where do they come from? But most of all, why do they taste SO GOOD? For the most part, love prevails. You can see this open-heartedness is a core tenet of the philosophy of Bugsnax, and it’s a real breath of fresh air to see not just heteronormative relationships in Snaxtown, but more progressive and true-to-life companionships, that don’t feel for one second like they’re virtue signalling, or trying desperately to appeal to a set demographic.

The Bugapedia details everything you need to know about the Bugsnax that inhabit the island. It breaks down each biome and shows you how many critters you’ve scanned, how many you captured, and the number of creatures you have yet to discover. Scanning Bugsnax fills out their entry in the Bugapedia Image: Young Horses via Polygon Better still, the Bugsnax of Bugsnax are also getting a major upgrade: the ability to wear hats. These hat-adorned creatures are the Shiny Pokémon of the Bugsnax world, Young Horses says. You might realise that at this point, I still haven’t mentioned the aim of the game, the name on the tin, the reason for being, the Bugsnax themselves. In all honesty, for me, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong, Bunger is a classic from the off, Daddy Cakelegs is inspired character design, and Strabby is as cute as anything I’ve seen in a monster collecting game (and I’ll die on that hill). Min esnax is a mod for Bugsnax that expands the game by adding a chunk of Minecraft content to the game. This content includes:Overall, I left Bugsnax feeling disappointed. I like puzzle and monster collecting games and figured this was going to be a blend of both. Using the various tools at your disposal and figuring out the combination you need to use to capture a snax was rewarding at times, but when I had to do it for the third or fourth time it became dull. If you accidentally drop down the hole before you take a picture, don't worry. You'll get another chance to do this a little further along, in a large room. The Snaxsquatch will be standing on the right-hand side.