The Philippines, once hesitant about video games with a ban in the 1980s, has evolved into a notable hub for game development. The country is now recognized for its vibrant esports scene and a rising output of quality games that often incorporate distinct Filipino cultural elements. To celebrate Filipino American History Month, several recent games developed in the Philippines offer players a global glimpse into the nation's heritage, featuring everything from urban settings inspired by Manila to encounters with mythical creatures.
One prominent title is "Until Then," released in 2024. This interactive visual novel follows high schooler Mark Borja as supernatural events disrupt his ordinary life in Manila. The game blends coming-of-age narrative elements with magical realism, drawing comparisons to titles like "A Space for the Unbound" and "Night in the Woods." "Until Then" distinguishes itself with unique characters and its authentic Manila setting. Gameplay involves social media surfing, engaging in mini-games like stabbing fish balls, and navigating school hallways, all contributing to a story that may require multiple playthroughs to fully uncover. An accompanying DLC, "Until Then: Afterimages," is also available.
"Lutong Bahay: Lola’s Home Cooking" offers a Filipino twist on the cooking simulation genre, akin to "Cooking Mama." Players step into the shoes of young Maricela, who aims to inherit her grandmother's carinderia (eatery). Before taking over, her grandmother encourages her to travel and expand her culinary knowledge. The game features the preparation of classic Filipino comfort foods, each tied to a short narrative. The anime-style art creates a warm atmosphere, and the realistic food depictions are designed to be enticing. Small amounts of Tagalog are sprinkled throughout the dialogue, providing cultural flavor without alienating non-speakers. The game is currently available for free on itch.io.
Developed by solo Filipino creator Adrian Corpuz, "Plantabi: Little Garden" is a plant-tending simulation where players grow and sell plants to earn money. The game incorporates mechanics for managing plant growth and time, allowing players to accelerate the process or slow it down for decorative purposes. While not overtly Filipino in its theme, the game comes from a Filipino developer. Despite minor UI clunkiness, such as the inability to drag and drop items directly between inventory and the store, the game offers unlockable plants and furniture that provide ongoing engagement.
"High Times" presents a conversation-driven experience where players serve mood-enhancing donuts to customers. Similar to "Coffee Talk," the game focuses on interacting with characters and building relationships, but with a unique donut-making mechanic. Flavors like "Vanilla Cheer" can positively impact customers. Players craft the donuts from scratch for each guest. The game features fully voiced dialogue from the main cast, including voice actors LilyPichu and Johnny Young Bosh, and is published by Yangyang Mobile, known for visual novels like "The Letter" and "Love Esquire."
CMD Studios, based in Manila, has contributed to the metroidvania genre with "Fallen Tear: The Ascension." Inspired by series like "Ori" and JRPGs such as "Suikoden," the game follows a hunter named Hira in the high-fantasy world of Raoah. Players acquire traversal abilities called "Ascension" skills and form "Fated Bonds" with characters, allowing for special attacks. The game features extensive world-building, hand-drawn 2D graphics, and charming character designs. Its map is designed to be expansive, with 26 distinct biomes to explore.
Spacezero Interactive's "Jeepney Simulator" and its sequel, "Jeepney Simulator 2," center on operating the iconic Filipino jeepney. Players navigate busy streets while managing fares. The first game features a blocky art style, while the sequel adopts a more realistic aesthetic and includes Tagalog voice lines, enhancing the atmosphere of the fictional Manella City. Both games allow for jeepney customization and humor, with the sequel incorporating a "wanted" system. The multitasking required of players is noted as being true to the experience of riding actual jeepneys.
Neuroticfly Games specializes in horror titles inspired by the SCP universe and Creepypasta lore. Two of their upcoming games, "Jeep Horror" and "Aswang Hunter," draw from Filipino mythology. "Jeep Horror" involves identifying aswang (shape-shifting monsters from Filipino folklore) among passengers on a jeepney through observation or the use of holy water. "Aswang Hunter" focuses on direct combat against these creatures using rudimentary weapons. Demos for both games are available.
Ranida Games' fighting game "Bayani" reimagines historical Filipino figures as superheroes. The term "bayani" translates to "hero" in Tagalog and refers to individuals who made sacrifices for their community. The game, which features an anime-inspired art style, transforms figures like revolutionary writer José Rizal into characters with over-the-top abilities, such as Joe, who wields a sword and shoots fireballs. The early-access version includes eight characters. While "Bayani" is available for purchase and play, its development has reportedly slowed, with the last social media update in June 2024.