Bug Fables is... one of the most charming things I think I've ever played. I ended up having a real good time with this one, but it did take a hell of a long time to get to that point.

This game does not start off on the best foot. The early game combat is lacking in tactical depth, making it either trivial for easy enemies or frustrating for harder enemies where there simply isn't the depth to change your tactics. The plot, setting and first few locations are all cute but, in the early game, everything can feel a bit... bland? Add to this the overall air of jank that this game exudes, especially whenever you are tasked with any amount of platforming, and this felt like it was shaping up to be a pretty mid game.

But it really does get better as it goes. There isn't a sudden moment or anything like that where it transitions into a good game, but there is just a constant upwards trajectory in quality throughout the playtime. It feels like it gets more confident as it goes; the combat gets some room to breathe when you get enough medals to make meaningful decisions, the locations and quests become crazier and more atmospheric, and the characters become more fleshed out and, frankly, lovable. It feels like this game was developed in order, and each level gave the devs the confidence to push the boat out a little more for the next.

Some parts of Bug Tales are definitely a bit heavily inspired by other games; the Paper Mario comparisons are obvious, and a couple of the story beats reminded me heavily of games like Undertale (especially the lab section...). But I certainly wouldn't call it derivative; the worldbuilding here in particular is all pretty unique. The way the bugs misinterpret mundane human objects as magical, especially when juxtaposed against actual straight up magic, manages to give the world a very charming feel without feeling gratuitous, as in something similarly themed like A Monster's Expedition. Bugaria is a wonderful and mysterious place and I will miss it now I have finished the game; I would definitely welcome sequels to take place in this world.

All in all, Bug Fables is not the most polished thing in the world, and the early game in particular can feel a bit sketchy at times. But I cannot emphasize how much this grew on me. If you try this and don't get on with it at first, I can definitely recommend sinking a few more hours into it to see if it hooks you, because it hooked me eventually and I can definitely recommend it.