Nintendo Switch: Pinoy-Made Indie Games You Should Be Playing Now

Making an indie game is not easy. It takes a lot of time and creative effort. But in recent years, there has been a rise in the number of indie games being released. Notably, Pinoy-made indie games are taking the spotlight. Filipino games are not as well-known as those of other countries. However, the Filipino indie game community has been growing over the past few years. They’re beginning to make a name for themselves in the industry. 

It’s a good thing that the Nintendo Switch has been an excellent platform for Pinoy-made indie games. Not only does it provide an alternative to Xbox and Playstation, but it also gives users a more affordable option for gaming. With that said, here are five Pinoy-made indie games you should definitely try out on your Nintendo Switch. 

Nintendo Switch: Pinoy-Made Indie Games You Should Be Playing Now

1. Bayani by Ranida Games: A Historical Pinoy-Made Fighting Game

The “Bayani: Fighting Game,” also known as “Bayani: Kanino Ka Kakampi?” is the first Filipino fighting game to be released to the public. This indie game is all about Filipino culture and history. It aims to instill a sense of pride in Filipino gamers. Two friends, named Michael Azarcon and Ejay Pamintuan, created this game. They wanted to create a game that everyone could enjoy and share with their friends and family.

Bayani is a 2D fighting game in which players take on the role of one of eight historical figures from the Philippine revolution. Defeat your opponents with different figures who have their own set of skills. For example, Andre Bonifacio (based on Andres Bonifacio) wields a twin sword (Tagalog bolo knives) and a pistol. Meanwhile, Rio Mabini (based on Apolinario Mabini) can call an “anito,” a vine-covered nature spirit that he can unleash against his foes.

Every gamer is familiar with the classic fighting games Street Fighter (SF), Mortal Kombat (MK), and Tekken. These fighting games put our skills, reactions, memory, and endurance to the test. Still, they also captivate us with their well-written and intricate plots and character backstories. Bayani accomplishes both of these goals while also promoting cultural understanding in the most enjoyable way imaginable.

2. Garden Story by Picogram: A Relaxing Pinoy-Made Indie Game By A Filipino Pixel Artist

Here’s a relaxing Pinoy-made indie game. “Garden Story” is set in a tiny, hidden land known as “The Grove,” where a magnificent tree full of mana can be found. They appoint honorable citizens as Guardians in each region, resulting in safe and happy communities. However, the settlements have now fallen into ruin, and the Guardians’ era appears to be drawing to a close.

Concord is a young grape in The Grove that is entrusted with rebuilding his island home in this game. You must take on the dangerous Rot with the help of his friends and discover ways to inspire other residents to help him.

Garden Story is an action RPG game, but it isn’t just purely about combat. Gardening, building, and repairing all receive equal attention and incentives. Picogram, a Filipino game developer, wishes to emphasize the value of hard effort and the importance of banding together when things become rough. Bayanihan, but in Pinoy-made indie games!

3. Towertale by Misou Games and Keybol Games: The first fully Filipino translated game on the Nintendo Switch

“Towertale” is a Pinoy-made indie adventure game developed by MiSou Games, a Quezon City-based independent studio. This indie game from the Philippines is a story-driven boss-rush adventure game. The plot focuses around a tower built by an ancient entity that will allow the first person to reach the top “the ability to modify their fate.”

It has four playable characters (Lionel Blueheart, Faindrel Ashelm, Lord Snicklefritz, and Dark Echo), each intertwining storylines. It also includes four different endings and three different game modes.’

Towertale stands out right away because of its flawless animation, vivid visuals, and a lovely musical accompaniment that wouldn’t be out of place in more extensive, better-funded productions.

4. Grand Guilds by Drix Studios and Keybol Games: An Epic Fantasy Card Game 

Looking for another fantasy game to play? If you’re looking for Pinoy-made indie games, this could be your next favorite. 

“Grand Guilds” is a tactical role-playing game featuring a unique card battle system. While fighting in intense tactical combat, you and your friends will travel the lands of Irin, a continent on the verge of another war. Unravel a secret that is affecting all of the land’s guilds.

In combat, each playable character has its own set of mechanics and skills. When correctly combined, this can be the difference between success and defeat. Moreover, a sophisticated character advancement system, a deep tale, and visual novel-style dialogues and cutscenes, similar to those seen in the Fire Emblem series, are all included in the game.

5. Gnome More War by Hobby Games: A Strategy Shooter Game With A Dwende Twist!

In this Pinoy-made indie game, you’ll find classic arcade shooter gameplay with a lot of variations. You’ll have to deal with waves of gnomes (or what we call dwendes). Defend yourself from attacks and keep your barn resources from running out. 

As you progress through each stage, you’ll need to take a more strategic approach. Make use of the unlockable upgrades, which can boost your armor and give you additional power-up charges. You can even enlist the help of your goblin companions. To top it off, you may play as Freija, Nih, or Scarlet in co-op mode with a friend.

So have your Nintendo Switch joycons ready because this game is undoubtedly a perfect addition for barkada hangouts!

Conclusion: Filipino Game Developers are Making Amazing Games for the Whole World to Play

These Pinoy-made indie games made it possible for people to make their dreams of becoming game developers come true. After all, games are not just for entertainment. Games also teach and educate you.

Indie games, in particular, offer a different kind of experience that people find engaging and fun. They provide an opportunity to tell new stories and create new worlds, unrestricted by the norms and rules of mainstream games. Indeed, the Philippines is home to a thriving gaming scene, which will continue to take the world by storm. One indie game at a time.