Video Overview
Bugaboo Pocket
Bugaboo Pocket is a new pet raising / creature collecting game released on Steam on 2nd April. As a scientist, you start to raise bugs from eggs until their final stage, and doing so helps restore the environment.
Raising Pet Bugs
In the game, you have three terrariums where you can place bug eggs. After hatching, each bugs goes through three life stages.
You take care of bugs by actions including:
- feeding
- decorating their terrarium
- cuddling
- putting hats on adult bugs
- play mini-games
In total, there are 7 species at launch, with more to come post-launch. Bugs are unlocked through the story progression
Mini-Games
Each bug has three mini-games, each with three levels of difficulty. The games are different across different species, with around 15 unique mini-games in total.
In the screenshot above, you can see Keato Meato, which is a mini-game version of Fruit Ninja.
By playing mini-games, you bond with your bug while also earn currency rewards as well as Bug Facts! In fact, I learnt that snails have thousands of teeth and I've never been the same since.
Remembering Your Previous Pets
Bugs are known to have shorter lives.
It's heart-breaking to say goodbye to your bugs, but you'll have few ways to remember them by.
You can:
- Bury bugs in the garden
- Pin bugs on a board, adjusting each of their limbs
- Preserving them in a jar
When viewing your buried or preserved bugs, you will be able to see the custom Epitaph you've written, memories (up to three photos taken during their life) and their traits.
Shiny Variants!
A fun little addition is that each bug has two shiny variants. Shinies can occur naturally by chance, but can be guaranteed if you roll a Tarot Card that guarantees a shiny.
Shiny bugs have a different colour and will glow with a shining sound and visual effect.
Objective of the Game
The objective of the game is to restore and heal the environment as a side-effect of growing bugs.
The player will have objects to obtain, such as raising bugs of specific traits.
How you interact, the quality of food and decoration, winning or losing... all that has an impact on the traits. Although there are no right way to raise a bug (e.g. they can be Thrifty or Posh), sometimes you have to focus on the traits to progress through the story.
Even after finishing the story, you can continue to play the game.
Personal Opinion
I loved the game! I can tell the amount of love and work that went into the game.
Although it took me 10 hours to complete the story, I continue to raise my cute cuddlebugs! Even if it's not a fully idle game, I find it quite relaxing to have bugs on my second screen and I go in to give a quick cuddle and de-stress.
From the Discord and Reviews, I can see this game is perfect for bug-lovers! That said, I understand it may seem steep for the hours-in-return for casual gamers who don't have such a deep affinity to bugs.
If you'd like to get the game, it's available on Steam: Bugaboo Pocket (Steam)