How Bugsnax Makes You Care About Its Characters

[@Sootielove]

It's fascinating because bugsnax initially seems like a theory-bait indie game, hinting at lore and a dark tone in contrast to the aesthetic, but it never feels like it because the horror is instead used for metaphor to further the actually fleshed out story and character writing.

[@starfruitgrady]

Exactly!

[@eyesofthevoid9595]

I'll pretend like i know what you just said even though i have no idea what you just said. But goodjob

[@insectoidabomination]

"It was a metaphor!" - Shelda

[@TaliaBratina]

This is deep

[@gregman642]

You forgot to mention that by helping each grumpus with their personal issues, they become more independent and fight back against the Bugsnax in the “Escape from Snaxburg” portion.

[@tonyroca5383]

Yeah. In all my playthroughs, I’ve always completed all of the side quests of each character. So, I never really experienced the bad ending.

[@brissadlr9939]

@@tonyroca5383That’s right. And completing the side quests to have a good ending is my choice.

[@jeremytung1632]

Literally on announcement everyone looked at this bright and colorful game and immediately went “there’s going to be something messed up going on”.

[@nightfall3559]

ok but watching gramble and wambus slap fighting was the most childish and hilarious thing I've ever seen in a game

[@VERXELIS.]

I once saw someone in a video about them slap fighting say "they're both southern men but act like two women that just got their nails done" and I think that's an amazing description of it

[@nightfall3559]

@@VERXELIS. oh yeah I saw that too lol

[@mysouptoocold1656]

It definitely has Lovecraft too. Reflecting the mountain of madness

[@starfruitgrady]

Especially with all the ominous statues!

[@mysouptoocold1656]

@@starfruitgrady alot of the statues had those Lovecraft designs! but yes! I can't wait for more of your videos on the characters

[@voicetale]

Funny story of when me and my sibling played Bugsnax We got to the end thinking we had finished all the quests (we had, almost) but we lot one person, Beffica, why? It was because we didn't finish all her quests because we hated her, but the guilt I felt. Oh boy!

[@DoctorTex]

Journalist: Beffica, go die in a hole. Beffica: K. *Overdoses on Snax* Journalist: Wait no, I take it back!

[@chotisit9328]

Bro I didn't finish Snorpy's quests and the absolute SADNESS I felt when he died and left Chandlo alone 😰

[@voicetale]

@@chotisit9328 I am so sorry for you

[@acebee46]

Omg is that how they die?? By not finishing their quests?!?!? 😭

[@tigertempertantrum6573]

@@acebee46 Kinda; when you finish their quests they're able to fight back when the Bugsnax reach them. If you don't, the Bugsnax will climb down their throats, like they did with Liz. You can still save them as long as none of the Bugsnax reach them, but it's a hell of a lot harder bc there are no second chances and it's all up to you. :)

[@samboi123]

Even outside of the characters, I think this game has something that draws everyone into it. The gameplay mechanics are easy to use and fun to play around with, the locations are beautifully designed & a joy to explore, and the depth of the lore is fascinating. For me, it was the music. The soundtrack of Bugsnax is on par with its characters, and my biggest draw to the game was the music. You get something peppy like the tutorial-like Garden Grove theme, or the clock-like ticking in Megamaki’s theme reflecting Wiggle’s struggles. Escape From Snaxburg is so well-crafted it *haunts* me. This game drew me in with its music, as it has everyone one way or another.

[@quiettitanoboa5096]

I don't remember where it was mentioned, but the Grumpuses had been on the island for about a year by the time the Journalist shows up, which probably explains why they're not bothered by their limbs becoming snax!

[@OtakuAnimeStyle]

Who would have thought that such a cute-looking game could take such a deep and dark turn? Once I get my hands on a ps5, I might even play it. Awesome video, keep up the great work :)

[@starfruitgrady]

Thank you!

[@axoltheartist]

It’s on Xbox now!

[@it_Nexus562]

It’s the same with Kirby

[@turretboi]

@@it_Nexus562 That's why it didn't faze me, tbh.

[@tonyroca5383]

@@axoltheartistAnd it’s also on the Nintendo Switch

[@ParanoidParamour]

This was a really good analysis of the game, it really made me think about it in ways I hadn’t considered and look at it from different angles. I enjoyed it!

[@starfruitgrady]

Thank you!

[@juliantamers]

This game is so eerily fascinating. Love the format

[@noneyabones]

Honestly I 100% the game and when I saw my home destroyed after making it so perfect was so effective in making me sad. It’s basically watching your home you built with friends fall to pieces. Doesn’t help that it’s the “point of no return” You touched on the important stuff but that hit me very hard too.

[@objectreality2889]

Did you get all 3 endings?

[@noneyabones]

@@objectreality2889 I did. I also got all the achievements for the game. And honestly I like this game so much none of that was a chore. It was a blast!! The only bugsnax that I had issues with was the secret one when you get to the secret place and find the secret tapes lol

[@bugsnaxmaster]

Wow that was really good. I have really connected with these characters and it makes me happy to see a whole community of people who loved this game as much as I do.

[@starfruitgrady]

Thank you! Super glad you enjoyed it!

[@kouhaisenpaineesan6161]

Never heard of this game until now, but knowing your content I had to watch it. You honestly never miss.

[@starfruitgrady]

Thank you!

[@lovepeople777]

You can feed cromdo regular bopsiculs and it will still complete the mission you know

[@Shizukou4299]

WHAT

[@lovepeople777]

@@Shizukou4299 And this is why you read the mission logs and don't trust what the grumps say

[@passebee]

I loved all the characters (especially chandlo) and well. Seeing them die fills me with guilt and shame because I couldn’t save them

[@xiliati]

This is an amazing production value/ well crafted theory from a smaller channel :) Really love the way you delved into how gameplay mechanics engage and support storytelling

[@starfruitgrady]

Thank you! super glad you enjoyed! :)

[@christoffersjberg933]

My favorite indie game

[@tonyroca5383]

The game is like a kid-friendly David Croner film in terms of body horror, especially near the very end.

[@DoctorTex]

Fun fact, I didn't use Big Bopsicles for Cromdo, just the two regular Bopsicles that it breaks into. It still counted. Also Paletoss and Paletoss Grande work too.

[@maxwellschwass]

But paletoss and paletoss grande are in boiling bay, and it's locked at that point

[@soadfan690]

I literally yelled "YOU COULD'VE JUST USED THE TWO SPLIT BOBSICLES" at that part lol 😭

[@soadfan690]

*bopsicles idk why autocorrect does that

[@thomaslecomte1570]

The idea that, as a player, you fall into the same pitfalls and failings as the other characters, is simply brilliant, kudos for pointing it out! Bugsnax may have been taken as a joke, but it really is a masterpiece of game design on so many levels

[@DamageMaximo]

You have no idea how thankful I am for you addressing these obvious reasons as to why this game is so weirdly disturbing... no one talks about these obvious reasons and I don't know why. That left me thinking I was going crazy and didn't actually figure out why this game made me feel so weirded out, but also why I loved it so much. Everything about it is so well crafted and well thought it's crazy!

[@mikmj]

Why does he only has 500 subscribers, he make very good videos

[@1234321ah]

Honestly, these creatures (bugsnax) really remind me of coyotes. Like, they lure you in, looking as if they want to play. ( well, the lure in dogs.) but no. Those dogs are their prey. Similar to bugsnax.. they lure you in, seeming helpless, but they know exactly what they’re doing.

[@brissadlr9939]

I haven’t felt this close to animated characters until this game.

[@Coolingtulip]

When I played this game for the first time it never dawned on me why I was so excited to always go back to the grumpuses. Not just because of completing story but like you said in the video, the isolating gameplay

[@camabahama]

I recently beat Bugsnax and I loved every aspect of it. The game had me constantly in tears - mostly because of its stupid humor but also, of all the dramatic moments towards the end. Bugsnax concept was so fresh and engaging - especially after all these years of the burnt out Pokémon formula. I just can't stop recommending Bugsnax ❤ Also, can we appreciate the unapologetic LGBTQ+ representation? Even in the Polish localization Floofty uses gender-neutral pronouns - it was the first time I saw them implemented in any Polish media. Can't wait to see what fascinating stories await us in Bugsnax 2! Let's hope it comes out very soon 🥰

[@inalamire]

As a Pole I can confirm, Floofty does indeed use gender-neutral pronouns! And they kept the gay relationships too (which is very rare, especially for a PEGI 3 game)

[@azulynn1113]

That was interesting 😅

[@TreespeakerOfTheLand]

Great analysis, I really like your thoughts on this game

[@starfruitgrady]

Thank you!

[@Phoenix-nk8tg]

I'm not entirely convinced that bugsnax arent a metaphor for drugs

[@dareylyolkfrat]

Why

[@withercat1801]

@dareylyolkfrat I know this comment is a year old, but you never got an answer and I agree with the person you were asking your question of, so I figure I might give it a go. Bugsnax are mentioned several times to give the people eating them a sort of high. Eggabell says they make her feel like everything is going to be ok for a brief moment. Wiggles uses them for inspiration, and drug-addicted musicians are a very common stereotype. Chandlo wants to use them to get stronger, which is reminiscent of steroids. Floofty tests their medical applications. Shelda spends all her time preaching about how bad they are, but also eats them. Snorpy uses them for his anxiety. Beffica eats them when she feels sad. Cromdo wants to use them to make a fortune. The metaphor sort of falls apart around Gramble. Instead of eating them, he keeps them as pets, which makes me think they’re less a metaphor for drugs, but dependency as a whole. Dependency that usually presents itself as a drug problem, but can represent desperation and loneliness as well. The way the snax slowly lure in their victims is also reminiscent of addiction, the sort of “just a little more” mentality that presents itself in a lot of alcoholics.

[@brissadlr9939]

I care so much about those guys. And Wambus reminds me of my dad. I already wish Triffany and Wambus were my parents.

[@inumizuno]

Dude i loved this video so much I've been very hyperfixated over Bugsnax lately, and i would LOVE it if you continue the video about the rest of the grumpuses!

[@starfruitgrady]

Thank you so much! Super glad you enjoyed it!

[@pajama5868]

loved this vid !! bugsnax is probably my favorite game of all time

[@mr.action5509]

Omg This is a good vid ngl

[@TenoriteJS]

0:58 nice timing

[@olliesmith7578]

When you get the bobsicles you don’t actually have to make them big you can catch the smaller ones and it will still count

[@veronika_nightkanavsky_blo3091]

7:15 PLEASW DO! IM BEGGING YOU

[@Itsmepiper]

the ones i care about most are filbo, gramble, eggabell and lizbert the only reason i dislike (not hate) beffica is because she hates filbo, is rude to almost everyone and thats it i hate floofty

[@maxwellschwass]

Overrated and underrated grumpus you know

[@DJxClockwork]

this is just a description of the game and not how the writers made you care about the characters

[@grousewithakeyboard]

Love everyone, except eggabell

[@Babbleplay]

Care about MOST characters; I could have happily never spoken to Wiggle. The random singing of her dialog got tedious really quickly.

[@ijustlikebees]

Ah! So bugsnax is indie???

[@Mewseeker]

You probably know now but just in case, it's made by the people who made Octodad.

[@Big-bread-bug]

Yes I'm the best boi

[@Phillyj25]

Who cares about chandlo KWOOKE IS THE BEST CHARACTER

[@theovalerius418]

😰😓😓🤒