When Bugsnax was revealed during a PlayStation 5 event in June 2020, it quickly became one of the console's most anticipated and head-scratching titles. Accompanied by the hit song "Its Bugsnax!" by Kero Kero Bonito, the reveal trailer introduced us to Strabby and Bunger, newly discovered species that are somehow half-bug, half-snack. You play as a journalist with the task of researching their unique mannerisms to hopefully share with the world one day.
This first-person adventure game quickly goes off the rails after your arrival on Snaktooth Island. After being stranded, you will need to befriend the local Grumpuses to build a community together, while also learning about the Bugsnax's odd origins. If you enjoyed this character-driven adventure game, you might want to check out some of these gems as well.
10 Toem
In Bugsnax you spend most of your time on Snaktooth Island moseying between scenic locations and solving its puzzles at whichever pace suits you. If exploring interesting areas while dutifully helping out troubled locals was your favorite part of the game then Toem is a bite-sized adventure that is worth checking out.
Toem is light on narrative and instead puts all of its focus on its atmosphere and the clever puzzles scattered throughout. As a young photographer, it is naturally your duty to help folk solve their problems. You must use your handy camera to track down ghosts, play hide-and-seek, and much more. It's a short game that's full of surprises.
9 Night In The Woods
One of the many features in Bugsnax that helps it stand out from other games is its rich cast of characters known as Grumpuses. Each one you meet along your journey is sure to leave an impression, from Beffica Winklesnoot to Snorpy Fizzlebean.
A strong cast of characters is important to any game, and Night in the Woods hosts one of the best ensembles in the adventure genre. You play as Mae, a young adult that must return to her hometown after being away at school. The anthropomorphic world is full of fascinating critters and surprises while also encompassing a darker undertone similar to the one throughout Bugsnax.
8 Pikmin 3 Deluxe
Snaktooth Island is a diverse setting full of secrets and delicious-looking wildlife. Creatures such as Strabby are mostly adorable and timid, but you shouldn't underestimate larger foes like the terrifying Daddy Cakelegs. You may even need to use the smaller Bugsnax as a weapon to take down larger enemies.
On planet PNF-404 in Pikmin 3, you will also need to find a way to use your environment and new friends to survive a crash landing. Fortunately for you, the titular Pikmin that occupy the planet quickly become your friend and allow you to use them to solve puzzles and defeat large monsters. It's a cozy adventure game that also features action and strategy elements if that's what you're looking for.
7 Paradise Killer
To put it plainly, Bugsnax is a very weird game. Its distinct premise and quirky characters are essential ingredients for an unforgettable adventure, and its bizarre humor only elevates the experience. If you enjoy an avant-garde narrative or simply enjoyed solving the mystery of Bugsnax, then you should look into Paradise Killer for your next surreal adventure.
Paradise Killer is a first-person murder mystery game that's not nearly as "cute" as Bugsnax but it makes up for it with style and sharp writing. You play as Lady Love Dies, a detective spiraling through the assassination of a godlike council. Exploring its vaporwave-inspired world is a trip in itself, and perfect for anyone looking for a grittier adventure than the one on Snaktooth Island.
6 Donut County
Compared to recent titles like Elden Ring and Horizon Forbidden West, Bugsnax is a relatively chill game. You will explore new areas and help out the Grumpuses whenever you like, and sometimes it's nice to have a game with that kind of freedom available between sessions in The Lands Between.
Donut County offers a similarly relaxing vibe. It's an incredibly lighthearted game about a girl, a raccoon, and a giant hole that eats up everything in its path. The roster is full of hilarious and interesting characters, and its ending is almost as surprising as the finale in Bugsnax.
5 Outer Wilds
A cloud of mystery looms over you throughout your mouthwatering journey from the opening moments of Bugsnax. Despite the friendly faces and relaxing research within Snaxburg, the game's main hub area, it's ultimately your goal to resolve the mystery of your surroundings.
Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed adventure game full of intriguing secrets. If you enjoyed your time investigating tasty-looking insects, there is a good chance you will easily become enamored with exploring majestic and complex planets. It's a darker and sometimes confusing adventure, but its story and time-loop mechanic will have you coming back for more.
4 Octodad: Dadliest Catch
Bugsnax is the stellar sophomore release from developers Young Horses. The team is beginning to carve a reputation for themselves by releasing strange titles with original ideas and narrative elements. Their first official release, Octodad: Dadliest Catch, came out in 2014 and is still regarded as one of the more unique and hilarious titles available.
Technically a sequel to the 2010 game Octodad, Dadliest Catch will have you attempting to live a normal life, but as an octopus. Everyday tasks like cleaning immediately become more challenging as you must try to use Octodad's many limbs to complete tasks without giving your true identity away. Its narrative is fairly light, but the concept and gameplay are just as compelling as Bugsnax.
3 Spiritfarer
The Grumpuses you meet on Snaktooth Island are strange creatures. They almost look human, but with more fur and much bigger eyes and noses. They each have strong personalities that may rub you the wrong way initially. But as your journey comes to a close, you may find yourself having a better bond with them than expected.
If getting to know well-written characters and watching them overcome obstacles was one of your favorite parts of Bugsnax, Spiritfarer is a gorgeous game that emphasizes the importance of relationships. The gameplay is vastly different, as you must focus more on resource management and light platforming. But as the ferry master to the afterlife, you will have the chance to meet compelling characters and watch them grow before eventually saying goodbye.
2 New Pokemon Snap
To lure out the most devious of Bugsnax, you will need to master each of your tools and use the environment strategically. Trying to deduce how to make each creature come out of hiding is one of the main appeals of the game and by far the most rewarding.
New Pokemon Snap is a game about taking photographs of the adorable critters. Each map is full of little secrets, and many of the puzzles have multiple routes to success. You aren't able to walk around freely, but if you play a stage enough times it begins to change and show you new possibilities! Like Bugsnax, you must figure out how to use every tool at your disposal effectively to catch 'em all on camera.
1 Slime Rancher
As unique as Bugsnax is in theory, there are a surprising amount of games that offer slightly similar experiences. Its absurd premise is what helped it stand out initially, but elements of its humor, puzzles, and characters can be found nearly everywhere. If you are looking for the one game that offers the same cathartic and often relaxing vibes as Young Horses latest, Slime Rancher should be the perfect pick.
As Beatrix LeBeau, you decide to move to Far Far Range to start a new life as a Slime Rancher. During your time on this strange planet, you will travel between immersive areas gathering resources and of course, slimes. The cast is a bit smaller, but still hosts dynamic characters like Mochi Miles. Ultimately, Slime Rancher is a light-hearted and colorful game that you should dive into after listening to "Its Bugsnax!" just one more time.