Review: ‘The Isle of Bigsnax’ Makes a Good Game Even Better (Switch)

The Isle of Bigsnax is a new, free DLC for the popular PlayStation 5 launch title Bugsnax. Developed by Young Horses, the new DLC launches on April 28th alongside the Xbox Gamepass and Nintendo Switch editions of the full game.

The Isle of Bigsnax follows The Journalist as they join several residents of Snaxburg in traveling to a brand new location that was previously unknown. The DLC features Triffany, Chandlo, Floofty, and Shelda all with brand new adventures and storylines. Like with the quests in the main game, each adventure in The Isle of Bigsnax is written with utmost care. There is an excellent mix of sincerity and absurd humor that make the story content incredibly enjoyable from start to finish.

Along with adding new story content, the main highlight of The Island of Bigsnax is the addition of the Bigsnax themselves. If you, like me, found yourself chuckling at the names and looks of some of the original Bugsnax, the new Bigsnax will be an absolute delight. My personal favorite is the Clawbsteroni, a lobster made out of macaroni, as well as others like the Deviled Eggler and Spaghider. There are also some really neat story beats that revolve around the mythology of the Bigsnax and how the Grumpuses like Triffany react to their existence.

Since these Bigsnax are much larger than the regular Bugsnax, players need to use the Shrink Spice to capture these funny little critters. The mechanics for catching each of the new Bigsnax are intriguing and challenging, adding to the already excellent variety of gameplay. There are also plenty of new puzzles used to unlock new critters and locations that only add to the fun, even if they can be a little frustrating to figure out at first.

The addition of a new island and the Bigsnax may be the highlight of the new DLC, but honestly, they might not even be the best part. The home being built in Snaxburg for the Journalist has been finished, and with it comes a whole new game within the game. Completing requests for the residents of Snaxburg will unlock new ways to decorate your home, with each resident giving items that fit with their own distinct personalities. I found myself spending most of my time focusing on my new home instead of solving the mystery of the Bigsnax, which is not something I would typically find myself doing in a game. It is a testament to how well-done the design of all the individual characters is, and getting to spend more time helping them is incredibly rewarding on multiple levels.

The final new addition, not counting some minor quality of life changes like fast travel, is the absolute best part of the game. In fact, it’s so good that it vaults Bugsnax towards the top of my all-time favorite list. Two words: Bugsnax hats. That’s right, the Bugsnax can wear hats now. If it seems like a silly addition, that’s because it is! But it fits so well with the tone of the game and I was surprised at just how much I loved finding new hats for my favorite creatures. Small things like the inclusion of hats are part of what makes Bugsnax so charming. There is a lot of heart put in to even the smallest of details throughout the game, and it’s clear Young Horses are passionate about bringing as much joy as possible to the players.

Like my time with the base game, The Isle of Bigsnax was an absolute blast from beginning to end. It is absolutely a game that anyone who enjoys thought-provoking puzzles and whimsical characters should take the time to play, especially now that it is available on so many more platforms. 

The Isle of BigsnaxI releases on April 28th on PlayStation, Xbox Gamepass, PC, and Nintendo Switch.