Bug N Out

I went in not expecting much and was amazed at how further disappointed I became... ...but there is the tinniest gem worth pointing out deep within these difficult to chew paragraphs, for whomever has decided to read this all the way through. What is proclaimed as a quick game to easily pick up, with no saves, and no loading screens, shows off a decent premise, but delivers only a weak play experience. There is no story, no real Menu after you load into it (just an escape Menu, with 'Sfx', 'Music', and 'Quit' dirty-faced Options starring down your pathetic Bug N Out playing soul), the Sound FX are nice and that's all that can be said about them, while the techno-jungle-euro 1990's style music fits the graphics style and design of the game. Which is really okay, until 10 minutes have passed, and you realize it is just one short looping song for the whole soundtrack, (I cannot tell if it is 30 seconds or 3:00 long due to its designed repetitiveness) and you to turn it off to safeguard your mind from drum beating into head numbing emptiness. While the graphics are fine for 1990's, the impressions of this game drop like Wiley-Coyote off a cliff when you realize it was made in 2016! (double-check that... WTH!). That's when the realization sets in, those nicely drawn single seated pictures before the game automatically starts (Yup, no choices in life here, just wishes you didn't waste so much of your life in such a short period of time), and between each 'World' (which is a loose term as each world is one map, which is really just one static screen with a few moving components, played 5 times, with arguably no variation what-so-ever to these 5 rounds, and again between these worlds except a different colour palette and 2 new bugs), those pictures are hiding the loading screens (someone lied to me through text!). The credits are probably the best part about this game -And I do sincerely mean this. Yes, its one quick screen, yes it is just two creators, but shows the pictures of the two designers and what they split evenly for the project. It is because of this that I feel I have a small connection to these creators; that personal touch is what is needed more throughout this game (like about 1000% more, in every dirty mud-stuck crevice). On the credits screen, you also find the Thank you's to the backers of the game: 1 Mega Backer and 3 regular backers; I have the distinct impression that these creators decided to not put much into this game as they probably didn't get many backers for it. I know how hard it is to design and build a game, but most importantly how much time it takes. This would make a lot of sense if this was their first game design project and they didn't receive much incentive to push the quality development of the game, because that is what it feels like here. However, I could only find myself playing for around 30 minutes before I felt I had committed too much time already to this piece of something dark brown and sticky -it's a very muddy game. What's worse is the game itself looks simple and straight-forward and it is poignant to those words so completely that it makes me long for the sand in the Mad Max games for variety. This was designed as an extremely simple, coin-op game, which I would have thought was a students first project if not for the Credits in the game telling me this was a Backer project. Still it may be the creators first attempt at a game design, one can only hope (because then I can praise them for the effort, instead of the trickery of attempting to steal from Backers and Steam buyers due to how 3 decades old and one century ago this game is). I will admit I only got to World 3 and had Game Over twice (the first time was right away because I didn't understand what I was even doing). RIght off the top of my head a number of quick, easy improvements this game needed were, a save/load option (or even just a cheat code option), varying the playing field for different tactical changes, increase the game speed by 1.5x, an info/how-to-play screen, and add at least 2 more song tracks. At it's full price of $3.00, I find it too expensive. At the $2.60 I payed on a discount I found it too expensive... no even at a $1.50 this game may be still twice as expensive as its worth. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this game, as much as I would have liked to. Still I really want to praise the creators for the attempt made here if assuming the above is true. I see potential at every step, but every step made, is one that has to be laboriously pulled out of the mud first. There is much needed to improve upon here with your next game, however, with my whole heart I say good luck you two with your future game designs, because you shouldn't stop here with your wholesome attempts- you really shouldn't!

filled the bug-shaped hole in my bug-shaped heart :)

got me through my divorce

Bug N Out is, well, apparently made this way on purpose. I looked to see if this was ported from some ancient arcade machine or something, but it really doesn't look like it was. And if it was, that would certainly explain the poor quality, even if it doesn't excuse it. But now, it seems we have both no excuse and no explanation. Ah well. Before we get ahead of ourselves, what is this anyway? Well, it's a kind of platespinning action game. You've got 8 columns, each with a little hammer at the bottom. Bugs crawl down the screen along each column, so you have to move your little light to each column and then trigger the hammer when the bug gets close enough. Action gets frantic as they send more than one bug at a time! Yeah... this is an incredibly shallow arcade game. So shallow, there's free browser games and free mobile apps that far exceed the scope and complexity of this game... and remember, the developer wants you to give them cash money for this trashware. And that's not really okay. From a technical perspective, the game doesn't meet basic minimum requirements that most PC gamers expect as standard. There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks. There's no way to ensure this is running at the native resolution of your display. There's no guarantee this game will look right on any PC as a result of this hamfisted design decision. The game features somewhat lazy, simplistic "retro" looking 2D graphics, of the type you normally expect to see in low effort Flash/browser games and mobile apps. Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing. The game only displays in 4:3 pillarboxed aspect ratio. It's possible they developed this using an old CRT they found in a dumpster, or this game has been specifically designed for people gaming on PC's from 1995... either way, this isn't really acceptable in the modern era of PC gaming. The controls can't be customised, which will be an annoyance for many, but it can also render the game unplayable for differently-abled gamers, left handed gamers or gamers using AZERTY or other international keyboard layouts. Some of the defects in the game can be attributed to the choice of using the video game library/engine, Microsoft XNA Game Studio. It's rarely used, because it's arguably worse than construction kits like GameMaker Studio, RPGMaker and Clickteam Fusion, but it's also much harder to work with. Despite this, Microsoft XNA Game Studio has very limited capabilities, which go some way to explaining the poor quality of the game. Just as you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear, you can't make a great video game if you use a terrible engine. These technical defects push this game below acceptable standards for any modern PC game. The poor quality of this game is reflected by how many people spent time with it. At the time of this review, SteamDB shows the game all-time peak player count was only ONE player. That's right, only one person ever played this at a time. When I played this for the purposes of reviewing it, I equalled the peak player count for the game. OUCH. The only player activity occurs once or twice a month, presumably someone loading it up to see what it is then quickly uninstalling it. Considering there's over 120 million gamers on Steam and well over 100,000 games for gamers to choose from, the overwhelming lack of interest in this low quality game is to be expected. So, should you buy this game? Bug N Out is relatively cheap at $3 USD, but it's not worth it. Given the defects and quality issues with the game, coupled with the unrealistic price, this is impossible to recommend. This is also competing with over 11,000 free games available on Steam, many of them far better than this paid product.

Bug N Out is a retro-inspired arcade shooter developed by Neuron Games and published by Alternative Software Ltd. and IGS Publishing that embraces the philosophy of classic coin-operated action games. Instead of focusing on cinematic storytelling, complex progression systems, or expansive campaigns, the game delivers a straightforward survival experience built around quick reflexes, constant enemy pressure, and high-score competition. It is the type of game that aims to capture the excitement of arcade cabinets where every session is about surviving a little longer, scoring a little higher, and improving through repeated attempts. The premise is simple but effective. Humanity's colonies are under attack from an overwhelming swarm of alien insects, and players are tasked with defending these outposts against endless waves of hostile creatures. The story serves primarily as a framework for the action rather than a major focus, but it successfully establishes a science-fiction setting filled with danger and urgency. The idea of standing alone against an invading alien horde gives the battles a clear sense of purpose and helps maintain the game's energetic pace. One of the most notable qualities of Bug N Out is how quickly it throws players into the action. There are no lengthy introductions or complicated tutorials. Within moments, players find themselves fighting off advancing enemies and learning the mechanics through direct experience. This immediate accessibility is one of the game's greatest strengths. The controls are easy to understand, allowing newcomers to begin playing almost instantly while still leaving room for skill development as they become more familiar with enemy behavior and combat strategies. The gameplay loop revolves around surviving increasingly difficult waves of alien insects. At first, encounters feel manageable, but the challenge steadily intensifies as enemy numbers grow and stronger adversaries begin to appear. This gradual escalation creates a satisfying sense of tension that keeps players engaged. Every successful wave feels like an accomplishment, while every defeat encourages another attempt in pursuit of a higher score or longer survival time. Combat remains the heart of the experience and benefits from its fast pace. Players are constantly moving, shooting, and reacting to threats from multiple directions. The game rarely allows moments of complete comfort, as new enemies continuously arrive to replace those already defeated. This relentless pressure creates an engaging rhythm that mirrors the intensity of classic arcade shooters and helps maintain excitement throughout each session. Power-ups play an important role in preventing the gameplay from becoming repetitive. Throughout battles, players gain access to various temporary enhancements that dramatically alter their effectiveness. Some upgrades improve mobility, while others provide devastating offensive capabilities capable of wiping out large groups of enemies. These moments of increased power create exciting shifts in momentum and often provide much-needed relief during particularly difficult encounters. The appearance of a powerful weapon or destructive ability can instantly transform a desperate situation into a triumphant comeback. Enemy variety contributes positively to the overall challenge. The insect invaders are not simply identical targets with increasing health values. As players progress, they encounter new enemy types that require different responses and force adjustments in strategy. Some creatures move faster, others attack more aggressively, and certain opponents present unique threats that demand immediate attention. This variety helps maintain engagement and prevents the action from becoming overly predictable. The game's arcade roots are most evident in its emphasis on replayability. Every session functions as a fresh attempt to improve previous performances. Rather than progressing through a lengthy narrative, players are encouraged to refine their skills, learn enemy patterns, and maximize their efficiency. This focus on score chasing gives the game an addictive quality that arcade enthusiasts will likely appreciate. The desire to beat a personal best or survive one more wave provides strong motivation for repeated play. Visually, Bug N Out adopts a straightforward science-fiction style that prioritizes gameplay clarity. The battlefield remains easy to read even when large numbers of enemies fill the screen, allowing players to react quickly to emerging threats. The alien insects are distinct enough to identify during intense encounters, and the various effects associated with weapons and power-ups add energy to the action. While the graphics are relatively simple by modern standards, they effectively support the fast-paced gameplay and maintain the game's arcade atmosphere. The audio design follows a similarly functional approach. Sound effects emphasize weapon fire, explosions, and enemy attacks, helping communicate the intensity of combat. The soundtrack complements the action without overwhelming it, providing enough energy to keep players engaged while allowing the gameplay itself to remain the primary focus. Together, the visual and audio elements successfully recreate the feel of a traditional arcade experience. The game's biggest drawback is its limited scope. Players searching for deep progression systems, extensive customization, or narrative-driven content may find the experience somewhat repetitive over longer periods. The gameplay remains focused on a single central objective: survive and score as highly as possible. While this simplicity is part of its appeal, it also means that the game depends heavily on the player's enjoyment of arcade-style challenges. Those looking for broader variety may eventually exhaust what the game has to offer. Despite these limitations, Bug N Out succeeds because it remains committed to its core identity. It does not attempt to be anything other than a fast, challenging, and accessible arcade shooter. The combination of escalating enemy waves, satisfying power-ups, responsive controls, and score-driven progression creates an experience that is easy to pick up and difficult to put down for fans of the genre. Bug N Out ultimately serves as a tribute to the golden age of arcade gaming. Its emphasis on skill, survival, and replayability captures many of the qualities that made classic shooters so memorable. While it lacks the depth and content of larger modern action games, it compensates with focused design and relentless energy. Players who enjoy old-school arcade challenges, quick gameplay sessions, and the pursuit of ever-higher scores will find an entertaining and surprisingly addictive experience hidden within its simple premise. Rating: 6/10