Bug Bash

Bug Bash is a very simple game, but I think it knows exactly what it wants to be. I am given a virtual flip flop and my job is basically to smack bugs before they can get away. That sounds like something I could play for five minutes and forget about, but there is actually a decent little arcade loop here. The whole thing is colourful and silly, and I liked that it does not waste time trying to turn a simple idea into something much bigger. The main gameplay is all about getting as many bugs as I can while avoiding mistakes. Every level gives me a set amount of time and I need to bash the bugs before they escape. Missing them costs points, so I cannot just swing around randomly and hope for the best. Some levels also have food that I need to protect, which gives me another thing to pay attention to while I am trying to keep my score up. I like that birds and bees are mixed into the action too. Birds can help by eating bugs, while bees affect the bugs in a different way, but I have to be careful because hitting either one by accident costs me a lot of points. That makes the later stages a little more interesting because I am not simply looking for anything that moves. I have to react quickly while still knowing what I am actually supposed to hit. There are also rare bugs that give bonus points, so there is a nice reason to keep my eyes open. There are 20 levels in total and the game gives me 21 achievements to work towards. I also like that different types of food are used throughout the levels instead of every stage looking exactly the same. The presentation is very cartoon like and the whole thing has a silly sense of humour that fits the flip flop weapon perfectly. It is not trying to be a serious action game, and I think it is better for just leaning into the ridiculous idea. The main weakness for me is that the gameplay is very repetitive. Once I understand the rules, most of what I am doing is still clicking or hitting bugs as quickly as possible. The food protection sections and different creatures help, but they do not completely change the basic formula. I also think the game could have used more enemy behaviours and more unusual challenges to keep things fresh later on. There is a limit to how much depth I can get from squashing bugs, and the game reaches that limit fairly quickly. Even so, I think Bug Bash is a decent little arcade game for what it is. I like the simple controls, the colourful presentation and the fact that mistakes actually matter because missed bugs cost points. The bird and bee mechanic is probably the best extra idea because it forces me to be more careful instead of just swinging at everything. It is not something I would expect to play for hours, but I had a good time trying to improve my score and get through all the levels. Since it is free now, I think it is easy enough to recommend when I just want something quick and stupidly fun. Rating: 6.6/10