PS5 Launch Title Bugsnax Has Already Outsold Dev’s Previous Game, Despite It Being Free

The PlayStation 5 launch title Bugsnax from developer Young Horses is selling extremely well, it appears. Co-founder and president of the studio, Philip Tibitoski, revealed on Twitter that Bugsnax has already exceed the launch sales of the studio’s previous game, Octodad, despite Bugsnax being free for PlayStation Plus subscribers for a good amount of time.

“The team at Young Horses is so grateful for everyone’s support,” Tibitoski said.

Bugsnax was free on PS5 for PlayStation Plus members until January 4, so Tibitoski is presumably referring some combination of PS4 sales, non-Plus members, and those who bought it after the free period ended. There is no word on how many free copies the game shifted during its PlayStation Plus promo period. Neither Sony nor developers typically share those details for competitive reasons.

A first-person narrative adventure game, Bugsnax takes players to the island of Snaktooth where they unravel the mysteries behind the little critters known as Bugsnax. You play as a journalist who is trying to get an exclusive story, but there is more to the island than meets the eye.

Bugsnax garnered a good amount of positive reception from the beginning, as people quickly latched onto the earworm of a title track, “It’s Bugsnax!” from Kero Kero Bonito.

GameSpot’s Bugsnax review scored the game an 8/10. “Bugsnax’ best qualities are its cleverness and charm,” reviewer Mike Epstein said. “The surprise and delight you feel when you see a Bugsnak wiggling around or watch someone eat one and change their arm into food never goes away. That alone would make Bugsnax worth your time, but creative puzzles and thoughtful story give it the body and depth to make a Snak feel more like a meal.”