Xbox Game Pass has cemented its place as the top subscription service for most gamers by having a huge and varied library. Regular additions mean there's something available for just about everyone, but like with all services, that also means games are sometimes removed from the library. Xbox Game Pass is losing 11 games on September 15, including hit titles like Final Fantasy 13 and A Plague Tale: Innocence. One of the lesser-known titles leaving the service is the charming Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling.
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is a turn-based indie RPG from Panamanian developer Moonsprout Games, published by Dangen Entertainment in 2019 for PC and in 2020 for consoles. The game was funded by an IndieGoGo campaign, and it's a bit of a sleeper hit beloved by both critics and fans who gave it a shot. It's definitely worth giving the title a go before it leaves Xbox Game Pass.
Welcome to Bugaria
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling follows an adorable trio of bugs - Vi, Kabbu, and Leif - as they set out to find legendary treasures in the land of Bugaria to prove their mettle as adventurers. The premise seems shallow at first, but it's a tonally appropriate setting for this lighthearted adventure game. What's more, even though it's still a compelling enough story, it's not the main draw of the game.
Where Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling really shines is in its gameplay and presentation. The game brings interesting elements to the turn-based RPG genre, featuring fun battle mechanics that switch up what could have otherwise been repetitive. Each of the three bugs has a unique fighting style which involves different inputs during encounters. Some attacks require rhythm game sections, while others may be more akin to a quick-time event. The variety helps keep the game interesting without overcomplicating things.
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling also has an innovative medal system that allows the player to tailor the experience to their liking. The mechanic allows for making certain fights more challenging for a greater reward, or reducing low-level random encounters. It's yet another way it avoids the common pitfalls of turn-based RPGs.
Bug Fables is Perfect for Paper Mario Fans
It's no secret that Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is inspired by Nintendo's Paper Mario series, but instead of feeling like a low-effort clone, the title pays homage while still being able to stand on its own feet. The developers felt that Paper Mario strayed too far from its roots after the first two installments, so took it upon themselves to create something that instilled the same feeling as those earlier titles. That promise was what made it instantly appealing to many fans.
It's in the presentation that Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling's inspiration is most apparent. It borrows the pop-up book aesthetic of Paper Mario well, adding a more hand-drawn feeling to it. It's also got a cheery and catchy soundtrack that entertains as much as the visuals throughout the game. Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling seems more talkative than Nintendo's classic title, but it does so with some well-executed humor that's playful and lighthearted enough to never fall flat or get grating.
One great thing that sets it apart from its spiritual predecessor is availability. Unlike Paper Mario, Moonsprout Games' Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling isn't a Nintendo title, so it's available on more platforms. That includes Xbox Game Pass, until it's removed on September 15.
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is now available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.