Bug Fables has been regarded as a sleeper indie hit. While it didn't light the world on fire, its niche audience fell in love. It's a cozy experience, taking inspiration from the Mario RPGs of old, while telling a heart-warming story. It isn't a revolutionary title, but it's a great time for fans of the genre. As its currently available on Xbox Game Pass, subscribers should absolutely give it a try before it's gone.

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One of Bug Fables's biggest strengths lies in its vibrant world and interesting level design. The different environments the game offers are all very atmospheric, and each of the them holds secrets to uncover. To find those hidden goodies, however, players will need access to the Field Skills.

What Is A Field Skill?

Field Skills are actions that characters can perform on the overworld, similar to partner abilities in the Paper Mario series. Each party member gets three different field skills that they unlock over the course of the adventure. All of them are required to complete of the game.

For those wondering how to unlock these field skills, the player won't have to go too far out of their way. Some can be obtained earlier than necessary, but otherwise the story will make sure the player has the field skills before they become absolutely necessary. However, be sure to also take new abilities back to earlier areas to uncover secrets, super bosses, and other cool surprises.

 Kabbu's Field Skills

Kabbu Using Horn Slash, Horn Dash, and Beetle Dig

Kabbu's field skills are all mandatory upgrades, and players doesn't even have to finish any minigames to get them. They can also all be used aggressively to stun enemies in the field, allowing for a preemptive strike.

Horn Slash

Horn Slash is Kabbu's starting ability, obtained from the start of the game. By pressing the button mapped to "Cancel", Kabbu will perform a short-range swipe with his horn. He primarily uses this to cut bushes, grass, and other similar objects. The player is able to tell which objects he can cut based on a contextual pop-up.

Horn Dash

Another horn-based ability, Kabbu learns Horn Dash during Chapter 3. Before entering the Lost Sands area, Kabbu will gain the ability. By pressing the "Cancel" button twice, Kabbu dashes in forward for a limited distance. This skill can break objects and engage battles. In Chapter 5, after observing some rocks in the Wild Swamplands, the dash is upgraded to break larger rocks. Kabbu will also be able to dash continuously, allowing for much faster movement

Beetle Dig

Kabbu's last ability will find use during backtracking. He learns this ability in Chapter 4, after the party is thrown into jail in the Bandit Hideout. This ability allows Kabbu to dig underground, which has a number of uses. He can go underneath objects to access new areas, hide from aggressive enemies, and even unearth hidden items that are marked on the overworld.

Vi's Field Skills

Vi Using Beemerang Toss, Beemerang Halt, Bee Fly

Vi's field skills are also mandatory upgrades. One will require the completion of a minigame (a bit of mandatory fun), but otherwise are straightforward to obtain. They revolve around Vi's Beemerang and her ability to (somewhat) fly.

Beemerang Toss

Beemerang Toss is Vi's starting ability, obtained at the beginning of the game. It functions similarly to Shell Toss abilities used by Kooper or Koops in the Paper Mario series. The Beemerang will fly a fair distance, which players can use to hit far away targets, activate switches, and retrieve items. It's a great way to stun enemies before engaging battle.

Beemerang Halt

Vi gets an upgrade to her Beemerang in Chapter 2. During the Golden Festival, Vi participates in the Whack-a-Worm mini-game. After completing it, Vi receives the upgrade. After pressing "Cancel" to toss the Beemerang, the button can be pressed again to hold it in place. This is used to spin some special switches, or to move and redirect the return-angle of the device.

Bee Fly

Vi finally gets to use her wings with Bee Fly. This ability appears somewhat later in the game, during Chapter 6. Towards the start of the journey through the Forsaken Lands, the party will need to use the ability to cross a broken bridge. This ability works similar to Parakarry's in Paper Mario, with the party able to cross small gaps. However, the range of movement is much larger, and this ability can be used in tons of different areas to get new shortcuts.

Leif's Field Skills

Leif Using Freeze, Bubble Shield, and Icicle

Leif's abilities are a bit more magical than their companions, as he is capable of using ice magic on the field and in battle. These abilities don't open too many new windows, but are important for solving puzzles and getting through dangerous terrain.

Freeze

Freeze is Leif's starting skill, obtained from the moment he joins the party in Chapter 1. The ability has a small range and bit of a delay to the attack, but will freeze whatever the ensuing explosion hits. This can freeze objects and enemies alike, which players can then use as platforms. It's commonly used in dungeons, but has overworld uses as well.

Shield

Leif learns Shield during Chapter 3, during the exploration of the Honey Factory. Electrified platforms will appear, and Leif will get the idea to create a shield for the party. The player activates this by holding "Cancel", and can use it to cross hazardous terrain. This includes the electrified floor, or even the barbed vines on the ground in the Lost Sands. It can even deflect enemy attacks, which isn't that useful, but a neat trick nonetheless.

Icicle

Icicle is one of the few abilities that players can obtain at their own pace. During the completion of the quest "Leif's Request" in Chapter 4, the party will enter Upper Snakemouth. After defeating an ambush, Leif will need to use this new ability to traverse the flooded ruins of the mysterious laboratory.

By pressing "Cancel" twice, Leif creates an icicle that falls vertically to the ground. While this is useless on land, it allows for Leif to create multiple platforms in the water. Only three are allowed at a time, but with proper spacing the player can make good distance and discover new secrets past the many bodies of water in the game.

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