PGDX 2025: 5 Standout Indie Games From Indie Game Stars
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PGDX 2025, the Philippines’ biggest gaming event of the year, caters to all kinds of gamers from esports, indie games, game developers, cosplay, to tabletop enthusiasts. But the section that grabbed my attention the most was Indie Game Stars, a showcase featuring over 100 indie titles from local developers and other regions across Southeast Asia. It’s easy to find yourself lost by the sheer amount of games on display. But after hours of booth hopping, five titles stood out, not just for their gameplay, but for their style, ambition, and the fun it can deliver. From claymation roguelikes to bullet hell cat pilots, here are the games you should have on your radar.
Kidbash: Super Legend
Kidbash caught my eye with its claymation art style, which reminded me of the kids’ animation show Pocoyo. I was surprised to find that it’s an action-platformer with Mega Man-inspired gameplay, roguelike elements, and a unique weapon-combination system that lets you merge the two weapons you choose for a run.
The demo, which ran on an ROG Ally, ran smoothly, hinting that while the game is currently in development for PC, it’s also being optimized for handhelds like the Steam Deck.
As expected from a roguelike, death sends you back to the hub to re-equip and set out again, tackling procedurally generated levels (I assume), collecting temporary upgrades, and facing bosses. The movement felt good and familiar and I could see myself playing this on the go for a single run on any handheld device.
Unfortunately, the developers weren’t present to answer questions, but I’ll be keeping an eye on this promising project from Jakarta.
Inkonbini
I first learned about Inkonbini during an Xbox Games Showcase for Southeast Asia a few years ago. It’s a cozy convenience store simulator that focuses on the stories and conversations with your regular customers.
The demo I played struck the right tone as it has a simple, heartfelt interaction with customers, paired with the satisfying loop of keeping shelves stocked and the store tidy.
While I’m not usually drawn to simulators, Inkonbini’s charming art style, pleasant music, and emphasis on storytelling might just make this the first one I play to completion.
There’s a demo on Steam. Highly suggest you take it in with no distractions and you’re all set to relax and let the rest of the day wind down, as that feels like the perfect time to boot a game like this.
Conquest Tactics: Realm of Sin
Conquest Tactics reminded me of the tabletop Heroclix. It’s a strategy game played on a hexagonal grid where two teams deploy units to eliminate each other’s flag bearer.
The build I played seemed early in development, but it showed plenty of potential. Movement on the overworld map takes you to nodes that may hold battles, unit recruitment, or upgrade opportunities.
The learning curve needs work, as the developers had to point out that certain units can attack from range and that positioning is critical. With proper onboarding, this two-person project could shape up to be a compelling strategy title.
These are also one of those perfect strategy games that I’d love to have on my Switch or Steam Deck. Fast combat but decisive decision that could make or break a playthrough. Not too heavy in the eyes, not overly complicated or overwhelming. Sometimes less is more, so there’s solid footing here that it’s worth hoping that it reaches full release.
There’s a demo available now on Steam if you want to try it yourself.
Nightmare Circus
I’ve had Nightmare Circus on my radar since spotting it in a closed-doors Xbox indie showcase online. It’s a cute but dark isometric action-adventure in the style of Bastion, and it’s just as fun to play as it looks.
You play as a puppet trapped in a circus-themed world, battling strange creatures using quirky weapons. The first is a puppeteer’s control bar, which works as both a melee weapon and a throwable boomerang. Throwing it lets you rope enemies together, stunning them briefly and setting up a window for you to freely attack them.
Later in the demo, I unlocked a string-based grappling weapon, adding new traversal options and heavy attacks. I was enjoying myself and noticed that the demo is roughly an hour long, so I stopped after the first boss as I wanted to save it for the full game as I felt sold for what they have so far, as the tone, its art direction, and gameplay feel in-sync.
The team at Fairpoint is confident in hitting their planned release later this year. In fact, they were already teasing their next project by showing me its prototype on their phone. I won’t spill the beans as it’s an early concept, but it’s good to see the Thailand-based devs are on pace.
A playable demo for Nightmare Circus is set to launch in a few months.
HypurrX
Local favorite Buko Studios brought HypurrX, a fast-paced bullet hell arcade shooter starring a cat pilot. It’s all about weaving through enemy fire, navigating closing gates, and staying alive as one hit is all it takes to take you out. It’s tough and I can see the potential if they continue to add to the difficulty and add more depth on what you can do in terms of customizing your ship to increase your chances of performing better, or open new ways to play the game.
The developers said the project has been in the works for a few years, with a new demo planned soon. They’re eyeing Early Access or even a Kickstarter campaign to help bring it to the finish line.
These five games were my personal highlights from Indie Game Stars, but they barely scratch the surface of what PGDX 2025 had to offer. Even PP Invasion, which isn’t on this list, walked away with the People’s Choice Award and ₱100,000 in prize money.
Events like PGDX continues to prove that the Southeast Asian indie scene has a lot to offer for the world, and it’s inspiring to see indie developers from other regions to take a risk to showcase what they are working on in a different country. Hopefully that trend continues and local devs find similar opportunities as indie devs in our region need more space to expose themselves. If recent years are any indication, people from around the world are taking notice on the talent being brewed in the region.
Like any of the titles mentioned? Check out their store pages, follow the devs, and add them to your wishlist.
My time with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 made me realize how overdue we are for a brand-new entry. This is a franchise that doesn’t need to reinvent itself to stay relevant. Sometimes, being fun is enough, and this remake delivers just that.