IF you are looking for a video game that is purely Filipino made and highlights local scenes, then consider these following games for your next mission and conquer them with your virtual character.

Pinoy childhood games like “tumbang preso,” “sipa” and “tamaang tao” or dodgeball in English are showcased in this academic project titled “One Last Game” by Paulo Arnante.

Arnante graduated with a degree in Digital Illustration and Animation Major in Game Development at the Ateneo de Naga University.

Photo Courtesy: Paulo Arnante

The game drew attention on the Internet for its endearing 2D retro-style graphics, connection to Pinoy culture, and its nostalgic Filipino scenes. The single-player game’s story is centered around a kid named Danny whose family is about to move to the city. Danny plays his favorite street games together with his friends before they leave their home. 

Arnante considered various ideas for his project before settling for “Laro ng Lahi” or traditional Filipino games and added his own experiences to the game from the concept up to the storyline. However, because of time constraints at that time, he decided to narrow down his focus to three mini games that could be easily translated into a video game format. 

The first mini game is “tumbang preso,” a traditional Filipino game usually played in backyards or streets where the players need a slipper and a can or a bottle. In the game, the player must hit over a tin can inside a circle carefully guarded by the enemy player-bot named Greg. 

Photo Courtesy: Paulo Arnante

You must find the right angle to hit the can with the slipper, and the important thing is to avoid being caught by Greg when retrieving the slipper then go back to your base.

Meanwhile, in “tamaang tao,” the player needs to avoid getting hit by balls thrown by twin enemies on both sides of the field by sprinting around frequently within the time.

In “sipa,” a street game inspired by the Philippine sport, the player needs to kick and catch the shuttlecock before it lands and falls to the ground repeatedly until beating the friend’s highest score. In “One Last Game,” “sipa” is like Pong or the Atari game “Breakout,” where the player needs to run back and forth while the screen becomes wider.

To experience the reminiscent “One Last Game,” you can download the game here: dacagames.itch.io/one-last-game

Delivery rider as main character

If you like jump-scare games, this one is Pinoy-style. “Ligaw” is a Philippine-based indie horror game introduced by Raven Studios, a team of four developers who graduated with a degree in Entertainment and Multimedia Computing from the University of Caloocan City. 

The game’s main character is based on delivery riders who served as the backbone of the Philippine food industry during the pandemic.

Photo Courtesy: Raven Studio

“Ligaw” is a product of the developers’ thesis capstone project in 2022. After submitting the game to their professor, the developers released it to the public and gained 6,000 downloads since.

In “Ligaw,” you will play the role of a delivery rider and will encounter strange visions and startling noises while walking through “eskinita” or alleys. 

So far, the game has only one chapter since its release. It was only what the team could manage to produce as graduating students then. 

Chapter one is set at nighttime and the player, a delivery rider, es expected to drop off the package of a recipient who is currently away. The chapter takes about 30 minutes of gameplay.

Photo Courtesy: Raven Studio

Thrilled to help the delivery rider? You can download the beta version of “Ligaw” here: ravenstudiosph.itch.io/ligaw

These two games are nothing short of showcasing the rich Filipino culture and talent, proving that game developers here can produce quality outputs.

Whether you are a young or young-at-heart individual who wants to rekindle their childhood and heal their inner child, or you just wish to try fresh video games, “One Last Game” and “Ligaw” are for you.

Also, don’t forget to support local and be proud of Filipino creativity.

With reports from Marvin Cabalhin