Though Bug Fables was released in 2019, in the first minutes I was already engulfed in a warm and fuzzy coat of nostalgia, filling a Paper-Mario-shaped hole that was left open roughly 20 years ago. So if you enjoyed Paper Mario or its successor (bonus points if you are nostalgic about it), you will probably also enjoy this carefully crafted JRPG. As a consequence I can really only talk about this game in relation to Paper Mario. The combat system was updated to allow more tactical options, the questing system also got a conservative paint job (there's a journal, but no map markers) and the protagonists now speak which makes the narrative more dynamic. The plotlines are a little bit more mature, although characterisations seem to be influenced by shonen Anime. The insect theme is the biggest aberration from the original formula, but this seemed neccessary to create an own identity. This also means the various settings do not look like shroom-induced dreams anymore, but are more footed in the reality of a suburban front yard. If you miss Paper Mario look no further, if you don't, well, take a look at the other reviews.
