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This game is expected to be rated PEGI 3
Our review includes potentially triggering words:
Trauma.
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GAMES Little Bug
Little Bug Review
Posted: 22 months ago, last updated 16 months ago.
Author: Ben Kendall, @GeekDadGamer and Jo Robertson.
Overview
Little Bug is a running and jumping game where you move through a surreal, abstract world by swinging on ropes. Unlike similar games, you control both character movement and the position of a helper spirit that can shoot and levitate you. This unusual gameplay is complemented by a poignant story of a girl and her struggling single mother, where you help the child navigate various trials in an attempt to restore their fractured relationship. It's a tale of trauma and forgiveness, healing and relationships.
You play Nyah, an 8 year old black girl who is walking home from her school when she finds herself in a mystical world where dangerous souls lurk. You piece together Nyah's backstory and learn of her struggling mother and their broken relationship as you swing through lush environments and listen to the powerful soundtrack.
You control the movement of both Nyah and her spirit, which lets out beams of light like ropes which you can use to swing your body from one platform to the next, as well as destroy barriers that block your progress. As you go, you collect items which can help piece together your backstory and unlock extra levels.
As the game progresses, what starts out as a simple jumping game soon becomes much more; you must learn to trust the ropes that carry you, allowing you to start healing your trauma and restore the love between girl and mother.
You play Nyah, an 8 year old black girl who is walking home from her school when she finds herself in a mystical world where dangerous souls lurk. You piece together Nyah's backstory and learn of her struggling mother and their broken relationship as you swing through lush environments and listen to the powerful soundtrack.
You control the movement of both Nyah and her spirit, which lets out beams of light like ropes which you can use to swing your body from one platform to the next, as well as destroy barriers that block your progress. As you go, you collect items which can help piece together your backstory and unlock extra levels.
As the game progresses, what starts out as a simple jumping game soon becomes much more; you must learn to trust the ropes that carry you, allowing you to start healing your trauma and restore the love between girl and mother.
Game Details
Release Date: 25/09/2018
Platforms: Mac and PC
Expected Content Rating: PEGI 3
Players: 1
Genres: Narrative, Traversal (Platform and Puzzle)
Accessibility: 16 features
Developer: Buddy System LA (@BuddySystemLA)
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Duration
Play Time: This game will take between 1 hour and 2 hours to complete. The game is relatively short and can likely be beaten in one sitting. Frequent checkpoints allow you to travel through the world quickly.
Play Style
This is a single-player game.
Age Ratings
Costs
Accessibility
Our Little Bug Accessibility Report documents 16 accessibility features:
Although the game has no difficulty settings, the checkpoints are very frequent, meaning you won't ever have to spend long in getting back to where you were. Some of the jumps in the game require quite precise movements and player input, but you can spend as long as you need on each section as there is no time limit. Because of the 2D play area, it is very straightforward to figure out where you're trying to go and there is only one route to take, although some secret items have small areas dedicated to them that are quite hard to find.
Although the text is always a contrasting colour to the background (typically light blue or white), it can be quite small and it is animated to shake slightly, making it at times quite difficult to read. In addition, there is no voice acting, so reading the text is the only way to glean information. When someone is speaking, it is clearly indicated with a glowing speech bubble surrounding the text. While the game's background is quite dark, much of the foreground is brightly coloured with neon pink and blue, and interactive elements like breakable platforms glow.
The game can be played with either a controller or a mouse and keyboard. To use a rope, a core gameplay feature, you need to hold down a button. All events have sound effects, but some are rather nondescript and could be misconstrued as part of the overall ambient sound or soundtrack. The game can be played without sound.
Although the game has no difficulty settings, the checkpoints are very frequent, meaning you won't ever have to spend long in getting back to where you were. Some of the jumps in the game require quite precise movements and player input, but you can spend as long as you need on each section as there is no time limit. Because of the 2D play area, it is very straightforward to figure out where you're trying to go and there is only one route to take, although some secret items have small areas dedicated to them that are quite hard to find.
Although the text is always a contrasting colour to the background (typically light blue or white), it can be quite small and it is animated to shake slightly, making it at times quite difficult to read. In addition, there is no voice acting, so reading the text is the only way to glean information. When someone is speaking, it is clearly indicated with a glowing speech bubble surrounding the text. While the game's background is quite dark, much of the foreground is brightly coloured with neon pink and blue, and interactive elements like breakable platforms glow.
The game can be played with either a controller or a mouse and keyboard. To use a rope, a core gameplay feature, you need to hold down a button. All events have sound effects, but some are rather nondescript and could be misconstrued as part of the overall ambient sound or soundtrack. The game can be played without sound.
Diversity and Inclusion
We haven't documented diversity and inclusion information for this game yet.
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