Thailand has a strong presence in the video game industry, being the second-largest gaming market in Southeast Asia with revenues of $1.8 billion in 2022, following Indonesia. The passion and creativity of Thai developers are evident in the games they create, whether it’s providing players with the experience of piloting rad mechas, escaping from otherworldly robots, or facing malevolent spirits. Their dedication brings unforgettable gaming experiences to players worldwide.

In this article that’s part of a weekly series, we will showcase some of the most outstanding video games produced in the country that players should definitely consider playing or adding to their wishlist:

Home Sweet Home

Country: Thailand
Developer: YGGDRAZIL GROUP CO., LTD
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 27 September 2017

Thailand has truly mastered the art of horror, be it in cinema or gaming. Enter Home Sweet Home, an indie horror adventure that skillfully integrates Thai culture and mythology to deliver an unsettling and immersive experience. Its 2017 release was met with widespread acclaim, sparking discussions about a potential film adaptation, although updates on this front have been scarce.

In the game, you play as Tim, plunged into despair by his wife’s inexplicable disappearance. As he awakens in an otherworldly realm, he becomes trapped in a harrowing pursuit by a malevolent spirit and confronts enigmatic entities across different dimensions while meticulously piecing together the mystery shrouding his wife, Jane.

With an awesome storyline, engaging gameplay, and ghosts that will seriously give you chills, whether you’re playing on consoles or in VR, Home Sweet Home is guaranteed to get your heart racing. And don’t let the simple visuals fool you – this game will definitely make you jump out of your seat!

Project Nimbus: Complete Edition

Country: Thailand
Developer: GameCrafterTeam, GameTomo Co., Ltd.
Platforms: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: 27 September 2017

Project Nimbus is hailed as one of the top indie mecha action games, maintaining its popularity even 7 years after its release. This aerial action game puts you in control of a giant mech, engaging in thrilling battles against other mechs. Set in a world where two super nations are fighting over the remaining landmasses of a flooded Earth, the game’s narrative draws inspiration from popular titles like Ace Combat, featuring cities adapted to float above the earth to survive.

Although the storyline may not break new ground, the standout feature of Project Nimbus lies in its impressive mecha designs, drawing inspiration from iconic series such as Gundam, Evangelion, and Zone of the Enders. Each Battle Frame comes with unique strengths and weaknesses, adding depth to the gameplay.

The combat experience is fast-paced and exhilarating, offering a wide array of weapons to take down enemies. With engaging modes like Campaign, Survival, and Warfront, the game’s core remains focused on piloting a mech, defeating enemy mechs, and achieving victory. While missions may vary, the game consistently delivers an action-packed experience where you dash, slash, and blast through armies of enemies with your rad mech. Plus, with the current price tag, you’re getting more of what you’d expect.

Timelie

Country: Thailand
Developer: Urnique Studio
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: 21 May 2020

Timelie is a video game that offers a unique and delightful puzzle experience. With its time-manipulation mechanic, players can control time like a media player, rewinding to undo past mistakes or fast-forwarding to gain insight into the future. The game features two main characters: a mysterious cat and a young girl with precognitive abilities.

Timelie’s puzzles strike a good balance, providing a challenge without being overly difficult. The game focuses on puzzle-solving rather than a complex narrative, making it a perfect choice for a short and enjoyable adventure. Players must use stealth and strategy to navigate through levels, avoiding detection and outsmarting enemies in a surreal facility. Along the way, they can acquire new abilities to aid them in their escape.

For puzzle fans, visuals play a great role in making the experience much more entertaining, and Timelie delivers just that. Beautifully visuals that you can stare at for hours. It’s an incredibly satisfying and enjoyable game where you can lose hours without even realising as every aspect just pulls you in.

Overall, Timelie is a charming and engaging game that will appeal to puzzle enthusiasts and those seeking a relaxing yet entertaining puzzle gameplay.

Kingdoms Reborn

Country: Thailand
Developer: Earthshine
Platform(s): PC via Steam Early Access
Release Date: November 2020

We know you’re asking why are we listing an Early Access game in this list. Since its Early Access debut in 2020, Kingdoms Reborn has received a total of eight major updates. The latest update was released in May 2024, completely overhauling the game’s user interface (UI), introducing key bindings, polishing HUD visuals, and more. The developers clearly care about making this sim city-builder a great experience.

Kingdoms Reborn is an open-world game with a multiplayer option, so you can team up with friends or duke it out in real time. There are four factions to choose from – Duchy, Emirates, Norsemen, and Shogunate – each with its advantages and disadvantages based on the region. Plus, each region has its own resources, like Asian-inspired ones in the Shogunate area – think rice, plum, sushi, and ramen.

Players have praised the game for its similarities to the popular 2014 strategy city-building game Banished and its blend of elements from Sid Meier’s Civilization series. With an impressive count of over 7,000 “Very Positive” reviews on Steam and consistent updates, Kingdoms Reborn is definitely a game worth checking out for fans of city-building games!

The Land Beneath Us

Country: Thailand
Developer: FairPlay Studios Co. Ltd
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: 13 May 2024

The Land Beneath Us is a unique roguelike game with turn-based action dungeon crawling. One of its standout features is the innovative link between weapon direction and movement, which requires strategic foresight for effective play.

In the game, you play as Sven, a robot created by The Creator to harvest souls to power technology that will revolutionize humanity. However, The Creator has been kidnapped, and you must find her through combo-fueled roguelike battles. The game offers a vast arsenal of weapons, ensuring that familiar items are rare. The upgrade system and weapon duplication are well-implemented. Each boss demands a new strategy, reflecting their unique strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, post-game challenges in harder modes add longevity, promising at least 40-50 hours of engaging gameplay.

With its unique gameplay loop and Hades-inspired replayability, the game offers a system of modifiers to make replaying stages harder for increased rewards. Roguelike gamers will have an absolute treat with The Land Beneath Us.

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus

Country: Thailand
Developer: Squid Shock Studios
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: 17 July 2024

Amidst the ongoing challenges facing the gaming industry, numerous publishing companies have undergone restructuring or closure, impacting employees in the gaming space. Among these affected companies is Humble Games, the publisher behind the recently released game Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus. Despite these difficulties, Squick Shock Studios has assured that the game’s development will proceed as planned.

In Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, players embody the character Bo, a white fox on a quest through lush forests, mystical cities, and dark caverns to guide three members of the Usagi Clan back to their home in the Crimson Bamboo Forest. The game presents a captivating blend of Metroidvania and Soulslike gameplay, inspired by Japanese folklore. The stunning 2D graphics, reminiscent of traditional Japanese paintings, bring vibrant and detailed environments that make exploration in it a truly enriching experience.

The game places a strong emphasis on combat and platforming. Utilizing your staff, you can interact with specific objects in the world to reset your jump and dash. Mastering the chaining of actions is crucial for progression, and as the story unfolds, new abilities further enrich the traversal experience. Players eventually gain the ability to dash, jump, glide, and slingshot across the map at exhilarating speeds. While the combat could benefit from some refinement, it remains engaging, particularly during boss encounters.

Despite some rough edges, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus presents a challenging, visually stunning, and overall satisfying addition to the Metroidvania genre.