Bugsnax

Bugsnax is a puzzle-adventure packed full of charm, mystery and a surprising amount of emotional depth.

What seems like just another Bugsnax biome has a lot more crawling under the surface.

An island filled with critters is the setting for one of the more memorable games of the year.

It's got well-observed characters and some genuinely weird moments, but the actual bug hunting isn't much fun.

Ultimately, it’s that modern-day Mr. Rogers moralism that saves Bugsnax in the end. I’d happily recommend it to any family, and to any parent looking for a few hours to themselves — either in front of the screen for a bit of casual gameplay, or in the next room while the kids enjoy it all on their own.

Bugsnax will be remembered for its brilliant crafted world, characters and titular Bugsnax for many years to come, despite some repetition and frustrating load times.

Equal parts bizarre and good-hearted, Bugsnax is a breezy sequence of encounters and puzzles, but the continual errand structure of quests starts to feel like a chore

This warm, strange, endearing puzzle game brings new meaning to an old axiom

Bugsnax is a faintly naughty, but never crass adventure that feels simultaneously like a love letter to, and a sharply observed satire of, the games that inspired it.

Bugsnax is a pleasant little gem of a game, but I don’t think I’ve ever encountered another title that came so close to ruining it all for me so close to the finish line.