Review

The Bug Butcher

You got to have a few arcade-styled games in your collection. I’m talking about the ones where a fancy high score is more coveted then “beating” the final boss. Being able to jump right in and have a good time is a must, especially when you’ve grown tired of the grind-heavy gameplay, long-winded narratives, and convoluted control schemes found in those newfangled triple A titles…

Old man “get off my lawn” jokes aside, sometimes you just want to utilize muscle memory and twitch skills for points over an epic journey to save the world. It’s one reason why I’m still looking to snag a Ms. Pac-Man arcade machine (nostalgia factor aside). Thankfully, I have games like Awfully Nice Studios’ The Bug Butcher to keep me company. This 2D side scrolling action title follows the exploits of an exterminator, Harry, sent to cleanse a facility that’s recently become infested with space bugs. Being somewhat of a pro, tackling the hordes isn’t too difficult at first. That all changes when the larger creatures started bursting through the vents and the environment itself become hostile. You see, the facility has a failsafe that will kill every living organism, including the surviving scientists, if the contaminated rooms aren’t cleared in time. And the larger baddies aren’t going down without a fight. Yup, no pressure!

Now that we’ve gotten the premise out of the way, let’s talk mechanics. The core game centers on players moving Harry left and right as he dispatches enemies that crawl, bounce, or fly his way. What’s interesting about this is the fact that he can only shoot vertically; you’ll have to get under the bugs you’re trying to kill. Some bugs will hover for a few seconds before slamming themselves on the floor. Others will crawl on the ceiling and occasionally spit acid. Larger bugs will split into smaller versions of themselves then scatter about the room. Environmental hazards will sometimes impede your path or outright kill you if you get too close. Basically, lining up shots without getting injured can be a bit tricky. Powerups and special weapon drops do help in this regard though. Using a time freezing ability or homing missiles to even the score is certainly recommended.

Speaking of score, taking out multiple bugs in quick secession will initiate a multiplier, increasing the amount of points earned from each kill. Failing to kill them fast enough or getting hit will reset the counter. For more point accumulation you can also collect the coins the fall from vanquished foes before they disappear. What this all boils down to is you dashing around the room in an effort to grab coins and keep your counter up, a skill that is easily learned but hard to master. Because you aren’t just dodging but actively running towards danger, careening into bugs or projectiles is a common occurrence. In some cases, this can lead to a quick death as certain bugs/traps can kill you with one hit regardless of your life points.

Already, you can imagine what the gameplay loop looks like. Bugs enter a room, you scramble to kill them as quickly as possible while grabbing coins. Constantly attacking will unlock a powerup to help clear the air or give you some breathing room. Every so often, a special weapon is dropped offering a limited edge before you revert back to the basic rifle. Take out all of the bugs before the time hits zero and you’ll be greeted with the score screen then ushered to the next location. Didn’t land as high on the leaderboards as you’d like? Replay the level to make note of the patterns before attempting a better run. Rinse and repeat. Now, that all might sound a little bland but in play, it’s quite entertaining. Trying to gain the best score possible takes some skill, especially when death means I have to start the level over, losing all of my points. Do I use this powerup to save my skin or save it for when I can line up the perfect shot as I try to dodge the approaching fireballs? Do I risk getting squished to keep my counter going or do I play it safe, and refrain from going under the crusher? Decisions…

There are other niceties as well, like being able to use the coins found in each level to purchase rifle and suit upgrades. But for the most part, that’s the game. A campaign of sorts with a decent amount of levels is there for those seeking a solo experience as well as an endless mode for cooperative play. My only concern is the lack of content and an overarching scoreboard. Other games of this ilk (thank Super Pang aka Buster Bros.) feature hundreds of levels. And while I wouldn’t want it to take forever to reach the end, a little over twenty stages isn’t much. Limiting the co-op to an endless mode doesn’t invite frequent play sessions either. Also, having a high score for one level is great but what about a completed campaign highscore? Allowing you to see how you rank as a whole and not just per level would be cool.

These “concerns” won’t ruin the fun of course. I just feel like it would be a better experience with a tweak here or there. Everything else is solid. The game controls well, it’s addictive and the music is decent. It also looks nice with its colorful visuals and smooth animation. All and all, I think The Bug Butcher is worth keeping around!