SXSW Sydney returned for its third year this October, transforming the city into a vibrant hub for technology, film, music, and gaming enthusiasts. Among the standout features of the festival was the impressive array of independent video game developers showcasing their latest projects. This annual event has become a key date in the Australian gaming calendar, following closely on the heels of Melbourne International Games Week and PAX Aus.
Despite the packed schedule, numerous indie developers made their way to Sydney, eager to present their innovative creations. Here, we explore seven of the most intriguing indie games featured at SXSW Sydney 2025. While many are still in development, a few are already available for eager gamers to enjoy.
Mixtape: A Nostalgic Journey
Melbourne-based studio Beethoven & Dinosaur introduced Mixtape, a narrative adventure game that captures the essence of an ’80s John Hughes movie. This game, the second title from the creators of The Artful Escape, follows three friends on their way to a final party, reflecting on their high school years. The demo’s cinematic gameplay evokes a sense of nostalgia, complete with skateboards, teenage antics, and a stellar soundtrack featuring bands like DEVO, Roxy Music, and The Cure.
Mixtape is set for release in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, promising to transport players back to a simpler time filled with youthful exuberance and iconic music.
REAPRIEVE: A Grim Reaper’s Desk Job
From the creative minds at 10PM Club, a five-person studio in Melbourne, comes REAPRIEVE. This game follows Milo, a grim reaper whose job involves deleting unnecessary memories from souls. Set in a digitized corporate environment, players navigate a world reminiscent of Severance and Papers, Please, where ethical dilemmas abound.
Althea Francisco, creative director and narrative designer at 10PM Club, describes the game as a blend of corporate satire and moral quandaries. REAPRIEVE is slated for an early 2027 release on PC, inviting players to ponder the morality of memory manipulation.
Exploring Mental Health with Psychotic Bathtub
Psychotic Bathtub by Switzerland-based developer natsha is a point-and-click game that delves into heavy themes such as suicide and self-destruction. The game follows a woman experiencing a psychotic episode in her bathtub, engaging with her rubber duck and contemplating her surroundings. Players guide her through dark thoughts, influencing her path to one of several endings.
Natsha aims to raise mental health awareness through this game, pledging 50% of profits to related projects. However, it is not intended as a therapeutic tool. Psychotic Bathtub is expected to release in 2026 on PC.
The Long-Awaited Way To The Woods
Way To The Woods has been a long time coming. Initially gaining attention in 2015 when then-16-year-old Anthony Tan shared screenshots on Reddit, the game captivated audiences with its enchanting visuals of a deer and fawn in a human-less world. Despite several missed release dates, Tan, now under the studio name onepixel.dog, showcased the game at SXSW Sydney, hinting at a launch within six months.
While no official release date has been announced, anticipation remains high for this beautifully crafted exploration game.
A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe: Navigating Social Anxiety
Los Angeles-based Quail Button presents A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe, a game that transforms social anxiety into a point-and-click puzzle adventure. Players help the titular giraffe navigate Friendly City, avoiding conversations that trigger anxiety and cause his head to explode. The game cleverly addresses social challenges through engaging gameplay mechanics.
Scheduled for release in early 2026 on PC, this game offers a unique perspective on the everyday struggles faced by those with social anxiety.
Kabuto Park: A Wholesome Bug-Battling Adventure
Released in May, Kabuto Park by French developer Doot Tiny Games offers a charming, bug-collecting experience. Players build a team of insects to compete in sumo-style battles, aiming to become the Summer Beetle Battles champion. With over 40 species to catch, the game provides a cozy alternative to traditional monster-catching games.
Available now on PC, Kabuto Park delivers a relaxing gaming experience for just $5, free from the fear of spiders.
Is This Seat Taken?: Puzzling Seating Arrangements
Is This Seat Taken? challenges players to arrange seating for shape-based characters in various settings. Each character has unique preferences, requiring strategic placement to satisfy everyone. Developed by Poti Poti Studio, this puzzle game combines quirky storytelling with engaging gameplay.
Released in August, Is This Seat Taken? is available on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and PC, offering a delightful puzzle-solving experience.
As SXSW Sydney 2025 concludes, these indie games highlight the creativity and diversity within the gaming industry. With release dates on the horizon, gamers worldwide eagerly anticipate the chance to explore these innovative titles.
