Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 85 | 16 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 80 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 97% | 93 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 88 | 22 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 95% | 89 | 838 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 90.5, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 6,198 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Nov 21, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 838 total reviews in window · weighted 231.7 up / 12.9 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (32)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 100
“So maybe Nintendo will never make a truly great Paper Mario ever again. Lucky for us, Moonsprout Games may have cracked the chemistry of what many fans actually want from the series in Bug Fables. If you’re still mad about Sticker Star, or you’re still reeling about Color Splash, do yourself a favor and nab this masterpiece as soon as possible, and see what all the buzz is about. Rest assured, that even if Origami King turns out to be a dud, 2020 will see at least one great game with Paper Mario mechanics…even if it doesn’t bear its name.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 80
“A bit of a triumph, Bug Fables is a superbly polished independent tribute to the first two Paper Mario games, but that's not to say it doesn't have its own, strong identity. The sheer familiarity is a little bit wearying at times, seriously, it's like it's been traced over in places, but Paper Mario with the serial numbers filed off is still a very good time. There's plenty to see and do, a rather compulsive card game to play and hidden secrets all over the place. Add all this silky-smooth performance, a splendid soundtrack and turn-based combat that's never less than engaging and you've got a surefire winner here. Maybe now people will quit "bugging" Nintendo for a throwback Paper Mario. Pun intended. (Sorry.)”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling does an excellent job capturing the Paper Mario spirit while still being its own game and having its own identity, and the journey onto the Switch is essentially flawless. Though some of the platforming sections can be a little frustrating at times, the effort is all worth it to indulge in the fast-paced, well written tale of a trio of bugs.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“One of the best RPGs, and one of the best games I've played in quite some time. These guys know what it takes to present great writing and an engaging combat system. It's pretty rough around the edges, no doubt due to the indie development and budget, but this game's got what it takes to stand tall with the big boys. You're doing yourself a massive disservice by skipping out on this one.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Everyone that is excited over the prospect of the upcoming Paper Mario: The Origami King needs to pick this up. While Sticker Star and Colour Splash took the series in quite unwelcomed directions, this fully embraces the original. The combat system keeps things constantly engaging, the world is inviting, and the trio of main characters utterly charming. This is a world that deserves to be further explored and returned to, and it will hopefully see future instalments. The Origami King has some genuine competition here.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“At the end of the day, Bug Fables is wearing its inspirations proudly on it’s sleeve, and still adding on its own experiences that are both meaningful and fun for players. I had a blast with this game, and I highly recommend it to all kinds of players, whether they be looking to dive into a fun story with lovable characters, trying a more tangible, interactive combat-focused game, or just attempting a challenge. Bug Fables does not pull its punches, especially in it’s hard mode, but it gives such bountiful rewards, that I am simply left having to return the favor.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is easily one of the best games of 2019. It’s not just a worthy successor to Paper Mario, which serves as its obvious inspiration, in many ways, Bug Fables is an even better game. Those who determine value based on how long a playthrough lasts will be thrilled to learn that it’s easy to play for 40 hours or more. Those who appreciate pacing will be glad to hear that there’s no padding to reach that playtime. Whether you’re looking for a game with well-written characters who grow on you, mechanics that allow you to devise interesting strategies, secrets waiting to be discovered and subsequently exploited, or a soundtrack full of catchy themes, Bug Fables delivers in a big way.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is an intriguing and beautiful RPG, paying homage to classic Paper Mario games. Some areas, such as the dialogue, feel rushed, but there's a well thought out storyline and plenty of side quests and mini-games to keep you entertained. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling was made as a tribute to the Paper Mario series and in an attempt to recapture the spirit of the first game of the series. While Bug Fables does not succeed in this purpose, it does deliver a good game, with an addictive combat, well structured plot (and a lot of dialogues), as well as game world that's a marvel to look at. So while the more spiritual goal to pay tribute to Nintendo's series went off the mark, the secondary objectives to make a good game are undoubtedly successful.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The best Paper Mario game since The Thousand-Year Door, but also a charming adventure in its own right, with some surprisingly good storytelling and fun combat.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Many might be afraid that Bug Fables, with its prolific use of the traditional Paper Mario mechanics, might be nothing more than a cheap imitation of an all-time classic. However, that could not be farther from the truth: Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is a superb experience with attention to detail in all its components. Its adventure honours everything that made Paper Mario great and even surpasses it in some areas, all while presenting us with a new world and characters we genuinely care about.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Fintendo
Nintendo Life
RPGamer
FourFaceButtons
Cubed3
NintendoWorldReport
Killa Penguin
TheSixthAxis
FNintendo
Metro GameCentral
Game Forces PT…and 20 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Happy 5th Anniversary! v1.2 Update & New Content Details!Nov 21, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Bug Fables is now available in Russian!May 24, 2024
- Patch 1.1.1May 30, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Bug Fables 1.1 is now live!Nov 5, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Bug Fables 1.1 Update Coming November 5th!Oct 30, 2020
- Patch 1.0.5Jan 19, 2020
- Patch 1.0.4Jan 7, 2020
- Patch 1.0.3bDec 15, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.2Dec 3, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.1Nov 26, 2019significant · resets scoring window