Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is a role-playing video game released in 2019. It was developed by Moonsprout Games and published by Dangen Entertainment. The game draws heavy inspiration from the first two Paper Mario titles in both its visual style and core mechanics. Its story follows three insect characters—Vi, Kabbu, and Leif—as they explore the fictional land of Bugaria in search of the Everlasting Sapling, a legendary item said to grant eternal life. Along the way, they encounter rival teams, confront past traumas, and face other obstacles all tied to the hunt for the sapling.

The game was released for Microsoft Windows on November 21, 2019. It later launched on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on May 28, 2020, and on Amazon Luna on July 1, 2021. Critics gave it positive reviews, praising its characters, combat system, presentation, and amount of content, though some noted control issues.

Gameplay is closely modeled after Paper Mario (2000) and its sequel, The Thousand-Year Door (2004). The three playable characters each have distinct abilities: Vi the bee uses a boomerang for multi-hit attacks, Kabbu the beetle relies on his horn for single-hit strikes, and Leif the moth wields ice magic to freeze enemies. In the overworld, these characters use their unique skills to navigate the environment, solve puzzles, and uncover secrets, with more abilities becoming available as the game progresses. Enemies are visible on the overworld, allowing players to engage or avoid them. Combat is turn-based and includes timed button-press minigames, similar to Paper Mario, to maximize attack effectiveness or reduce damage taken. The party shares Teamwork Points (TP) for special attacks and Medal Points (MP) for equippable medals that enhance attributes, grant resistance to status effects, or unlock special moves. Winning battles awards Exploration Points (EXP), and reaching enough EXP raises the party's explorer rank. At each rank, the player can choose to increase each member's HP by 1, or raise TP or MP by 3. Certain ranks also grant new moves, stat boosts, or additional inventory space.

The setting is Bugaria, a land located entirely within the backyard of an abandoned house. Sentient insects were uplifted by a mysterious force after humans vanished in an unspecified cataclysm, while other insects remained feral.