Bug Fables is an Indie RPG Inspired by Paper Mario

February 5 was the 17th anniversary of the original Paper Mario’s North American release.

I’ve been disappointed in the changes they’ve made to the Paper Mario series (although I will eventually give Color Splash a try), but as I was reading comments about Paper Mario’s anniversary, someone mentioned an indie game inspired by Paper Mario called Bug Fables.

I was skeptical at first. I’ve seen other Paper Mario spiritual successors that either just took the paper aesthetic or looked like a complete clone. However, Bug Fables looks like it’s successfully captured the Paper Mario aesthetic while still having an identity of its own.

Bug Fables, which is currently seeking funds through Indiegogo, follows three bug characters (Bee, Beetle, and Moth) on a quest to find a legendary treasure.

It is filled with gameplay mechanics reminiscent of Paper Mario, including turn-based combat with action commands (which are different for each of the three characters), a cooking system, skills each character can use on the field, and a “tattle” system where you can learn more about each location and NPC.

The story will take place across 6 chapters and several locations

If the trailer isn’t enough to convince you, don’t worry. There’s also a demo you can download. The demo covers the game’s prologue, as well as a section after the prologue that lets you check out how cooking, shops, side quests, etc. will work in the full game.

You can even participate in a play, with humorous results. One of the things I liked most about this demo was that the characters’ personalities had a chance to shine, especially since Paper Mario has veered away from that. If the same charm and humor are present throughout the game, Bug Fables should be quite entertaining.

I had a lot of fun with the demo, and I can’t wait to see what the full game will be like. It really captures that Paper Mario style while standing on its own beyond nostalgia.

If you’re interested in supporting an indie RPG inspired by Paper Mario, head over to the Bug Fables Indiegogo page to help them out.