Bugsnax is back and bigger than ever with a brand new DLC entitled The Isle of Bigsnax. The free DLC will be released alongside new ports of the game, which will be coming to Nintendo Switch and Xbox consoles this April. Created by developer Young Horses - known for quirky previous release Octodad: Dadliest Catch - Bugsnax first released in late 2020 to much critical praise. The game's charming design style, complex characters, and unique gameplay mechanics truly make the game stand out. The upcoming update will add multiple hours of content for both new and old players, and expand late-game possibilities.
The Bugsnax base game places the player in the role of a journalist who's investigating the secrets of Snaktooth Island, and the mysterious disappearance of famous explorer Elizabert Megafig. The island is populated by creatures called Bugsnax, food and bug hybrids such as the Bopsicle, a popsicle-esque creature that crawls around on wooden sticks, and the Bunger, a burger-shaped beetle. Players explore a myriad of environments, collecting the Bugsnax within each biome with different bait and contraptions. While exploring the island, gamers will meet the many residents of the island, colorful furry creatures called Grumpuses or Grumps. As the game unfolds, the Grumpuses' backgrounds and interpersonal relationships with others will be revealed, often in a dramatic fashion.
The Bugsnax update can be split into two categories: the new Isle of Bigsnax area, along with all of the creatures and quests associated with it, and updates made to elements already present in the base game. Developer Young Horses has said these combined aim to add approximately 80% more content to the game, and make the game feel like a more well-rounded experience as a whole. New achievements will be added for players to earn based around the new additions made to the game.
First teased in Fall of 2021, the Isle of Bigsnax DLC adds one very large new level that contains an estimated 3-4 hours of story content and collecting. Alongside new land comes new mysteries to solve, as players explore ancient temples and learn about the history of the region. Developers purposefully wrote the story in a way that characters who did not get as much screen time in the base game have a bigger presence in this DLC. New side quests and storylines add depth to Grumps like Triffany, Chandlo, and Snorpy, as players watch them encounter and overcome emotional challenges.
One of the biggest additions to the DLC is Bigsnax, ginormous Snax which are more difficult to catch than typical Bugsnax, and must be hit with Shrink Spice before they are able to be caught. In total the DLC adds 11 unique creatures to the game which are strong contenders for the title of best Bugsnak, featuring Snax inspired by foods like chicken tikka masala, lobster mac and cheese, and more. Gameplay now includes more focus on puzzles that utilize the Buggy Ball, a small plastic ball which players can place Snax in and control. The Buggy Ball will be used for things like completing mazes and accessing blocked areas more often than was included in the base game.
Outside of the new location, the Bugsnax update contains several new ways to make the late game more fun. One of the most game-changing additions is the inclusion of fast travel - previously, players had to trek across the map to access each biome, which could often be a difficult task. This new mechanic also allows players to travel back and for from the Isle of Bigsnax seamlessly, allowing the DLC's gameplay to coexist with the base game.
Players will now receive their own hut, which they can decorate and even expand. New furniture and decoration options can be acquired with the new mailbox feature, where gamers will receive letters with requests and challenges from their neighbors for which they will receive special rewards upon completion. An adorable addition to the game comes in the form of hats for Bugsnax - players can now discover different pieces of headwear for their captured Snax through exploration and hints from town Grumps. Even after the main story is completed, the mailbox and hat collection system will be a consistent source for late-game activities in Bugsnax.
Out of game, developers announced during the preview event that the Bugsnax soundtrack will soon be released on vinyl. It will be a 2-disc LP with 26 tracks from the game's composer Seth Parker. The vinyl will also come in a fittingly designed sleeve, drawn by the game's illustrator Ana Aranda, that's inspired by fast food just like many Bugsnax. Although the record does not yet have a release date, more details on the vinyl release can be expected soon.
The Isle of Bigsnax DLC will launch alongside the new ports of the base game on April 28th. The game will be priced at $24.99, with a 20% launch discount for a limited time. The game will also be added to Xbox Game Pass. These new additions to the game showcase the brilliant creativity of Young Horses, who are decidedly not done with the development of Bugsnax. All of the updates made benefit new and veteran players alike, with things like streamlined travel, new NPC stories and Snax, and late-game content that will keep fans coming back to Bugsnax for a long time.
Bugsnax: Isle of Bigsnax will be available April 28th for Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac. It will be a Day One Game Pass release for Xbox.