Southeast Asia has emerged as a vibrant hub for the video game industry, producing a diverse array of engaging and culturally rich experiences. From breathtaking adventures inspired by mythology to groundbreaking multiplayer games, the region boasts a wealth of titles that are truly worth discovering. To champion these awesome games, indie or otherwise, Kakuchopurei will be publishing a feature spotlighting a country and its best locally-made games every week, starting today.

In this month-or-so of curating the best Southeast Asia has to offer, we will begin with the Southeast country that has been making headway in the games industry with its volume and quality: Indonesia. The game development scene over in Indonesia has been on the rise since 2020, so it’s no surprise that we have a boatload of non-F2P paid-for titles up for grabs that happen to be made in the nation known for its heavenly bakso dishes, luscious coffee, enchanting vacation/tourist spots like Bali, and insane city traffic that puts Malaysia’s and Vietnam’s to shame.

The Best Indonesian-Made Games Out Right Now

Coffee Talk Series

Developer: Toge Productions
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date(s): 30 January 2020, 20 April 2023

The Coffee Talk series by Toge Productions is highly regarded in the indie gaming space. It’s a visual novel that puts a unique spin on fairytales, offering rich narratives and engaging gameplay. In the game, you take on the role of a barista in a cozy coffee shop, where you listen to the stories of an array of fantastic customers and craft the perfect beverages for them. Set to chill lo-fi beats, the game offers a heartwarming experience as you connect with the characters through meaningful conversations and drinks.

The latest instalment, Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, maintains the excellence of the first game, but it feels more like an expansion than a standalone sequel. As is the case with many visual novels, we recommend playing the first game to fully appreciate the second one. If you’re in the mood for a cozy game with a captivating storyline, we highly recommend checking out the Coffee Talk series. To find out more, check out our Coffee Talk Episode 2 review.

A Space for the Unbound

Developer: Mojiken
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: 19 January 2023

We highly recommend checking out Mojiken’s A Space for the Unbound, a wonderful slice-of-life adventure game featuring stunning pixel art. Set in rural Indonesia in the 90s, the game beautifully portrays the story of overcoming anxiety, depression, and the relationship between a boy and a girl with supernatural powers. While the game has a relaxing vibe, it becomes dramatic as you progress through the story.

A Space for the Unbound provides a unique portrayal of the country’s culture. Even if you’re not familiar with the region, the game offers a glimpse into the culture and lifestyle of that era, complete with tuckshops and roadside stalls. It features various puzzles, fetch quests, and quick-time events that are challenging but ultimately solvable with attentiveness and a bit of problem-solving skills. This 10-hour game promises an unforgettable experience.

If you’re interested in diving into the adventure of Raya and Atma in A Space for the Unbound, take a look at our detailed written review for more insights.

Coral Island

Developer: Stairway Games
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: 14 November 2023

Coral Island is a delightful farming simulation game that combines elements of Stardew Valley and Sun Haven with the charming aesthetic of Lilo & Stitch. It’s approaching its first anniversary since its global release, and the cozy sim community has been raving about its captivating gameplay that can keep players engaged for hours on end.

Set in the town of Coral Island, often humorously referred to as “hot people island,” players take on the role of a newcomer looking to make a fresh start in life. Much like other farming sims, the game offers activities such as mining, harvesting, farming, and fishing. What sets Coral Island apart is its focus on ocean preservation, allowing players to dive into the ocean to clean up the deep sea and unlock stories related to mermaids. Additionally, players can form relationships with the mermaids and the townsfolk of Coral Island.

The game also offers Indonesian cultural elements in the form of names, food, beverages, artefacts, and more, giving a fresh take compared to most farming sim video games. If you’re looking for a relaxing game with sandbox-style gameplay and plenty of fresh new content, Coral Island is definitely worth a try!

Potion Permit

Country: Indonesia
Developer: MassHive Media
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android
Release Date: 22 September 2022

Aside from horror and adventure, Indonesian game developers have ventured into other genres as well. One game that stands out is Potion Permit. If you’re a fan of the anime Apothecary Diaries, you’ll find the premise of this game familiar. In Potion Permit, you take on a role as a chemist in the town of Moonbury, responsible for curing various diseases and introducing modern alchemy to the residents. The game offers an open-ended sim RPG experience, where you earn the trust of the townsfolk and tend to their illnesses.

Players will interact with a diverse cast of characters, helping them cure strange illnesses by gathering materials to create specialized potions and ointments. The game features real-time combat, allowing players to use their chemistry skills to create powerful concoctions for both offence and defence.

Between tending to the community’s health, players can freely explore the charming town of Moonbury, engage with its inhabitants, relax at the tavern, or even enjoy some leisurely fishing. Moonbury is depicted as a tranquil and idyllic locale, offering players a more relaxed gaming experience compared to the hustle and bustle of city life.

An exciting aspect of the game is the player’s constant companion, a loyal dog. The pet helps players discover hidden items, locate residents, and adds another layer of interaction to the gameplay. So if you want something casual with a variety of content to explore and play, Potion Permit is the go-to game.

DreadOut Series

Country: Indonesia
Developer: Digital Happiness
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date(s): 16 May 2014, 22 February 2020

Indonesian game developers are delving into local folklore and mythologies to create terrifying experiences that captivate audiences both at home and abroad. One standout example is DreadOut, a game reminiscent of the classic PS2 horror era. In this game, players follow a group of high school students as they find themselves trapped in an abandoned town teeming with malevolent spirits. Armed with only their wits and smartphones, players must survive chilling encounters while uncovering the town’s ominous secrets.

DreadOut 2, the sequel to the original cult hit, centres around Linda, a high school student with the ability to perceive and interact with ghosts. Using her trusty smartphone, Linda is tasked with hunting down nightmarish spirits and dark forces that not only pose a threat to her hometown but to all of humanity. This spine-chilling sequel introduces all-new melee combat and a greater focus on exploration. Players can uncover ghosts and urban legends, complete with the Ghostpedia app on Linda’s smartphone. With its blend of ghosts, monsters, immersive locations, and diverse gameplay mechanics, DreadOut 2 presents a complete horror gaming package.

These are but just a few games from Indonesia that you can buy right now to add to your indie backlog. Stay tuned next week every Monday for another SEA country games spotlight! In the meantime, you can check out our interviews with Toge Productions in the Main Game episodes below: