PAX Aus might be over for another year, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been able to stop thinking about some of those epic indie games we got to go hands-on with in the Indie Rising area. From a curious twirl through the woods to football with a card battler twist, it’s been an impressive showing of Australian games.
Key Fairy
Deep in an ancient forest bound by a bitter spell, a tiny fairy wanders. Wielding a spool of thread and a bladeless sword, weave through twisting paths to unearth enchanted trinkets, evading monsters and collecting stars to free their hearts from hatred in this ink-illustrated pacifist bullet-hell.
Few games are as beautifully jarring as Key Fairy. Featuring stunning hand-drawn art and a palette, the game sees you twirling through the woods, taming monsters and uncovering the secrets of the forest. A few minutes were all I needed to keep it twirling through my mind. There’s a playful curiosity to the game that feels so invigorating and I can’t wait for the full game.
End Of Ember
Explore a gory Hell in this twin-stick shooter that pays homage to badass horror franchises. Kill demons, upgrade items, and fight weird and gross bosses until they explode in piles of gore. Who is Ember? What is reality?
BLOOD. GUTS. GORE. Roguelites come and go, but End of Ember was very bombastic and a bloody good time. Rampaging around in this one reminded me of those particularly meaty dungeons in Cult of the Lamb, and I can’t wait to rip in deeper.
Middle Management
Middle Management is a satirical office building and management game. Design an office. Hire the right talent. Spread your tentacles. Keep your rebellious workers productive. Delve into brains to design the perfect employees. DON’T YOU DARE cross your boss or his INFLUENTIAL clients.
We’ve all had a horrible boss or two, but has your performance been subjected to a giant pink alien octopus? Probably. This one’s aesthetic pulled me in but the management side is where the real fun begins. Not only do your workers have unique traits, but they also can have new traits implanted right into their brains. And if that doesn’t help, you can always eat them!
Doggy Don’t Care
Doggy Don’t Care is a comedic 3D adventure where you step into the paws of an adorable but mischievous pup! When Charlie’s owner leaves him home alone, it’s his chance to explore, collect, and smash his way through four vibrant, interactive environments!
Part chaotic sandbox and puzzle game, Doggy Don’t Care a very fun time! This was another of the PAX Aus Indie Showcase winners, and it’s not hard to see why. You play as a cute little puppo that’s been left home alone, and it’s not long before you’ll be crashing your way through the house. If you liked Untitled Goose Game for all the trouble you can get up to, then this one’s for you!
Enfant
A 3D action-adventure/metroidvania about an elephant looking for his herd. Explore a vibrant, decaying world, uncover remnants of humanity, and interact with a quirky cast of evolved intelligent animals.
I’ve been awestruck by this one for a while thanks to its dystopian world and elephant protagonist. While I didn’t have long with this one already, I’m curious to find out more about the lore of the game and how the main character traverses the wider world.
Dryft City Kyngs
From humble office worker, to ruthless racing genius. Become the ultimate Dryft Racer in a colourful 2D punk-cartoon world based on a very near-future Melbourne!
Racing games aren’t usually my thing and yet this one has a lot more going for it. With a neon colour palette, soon you’re pulled into this eclectic world with a whacko cast of characters.
Pro Jank Footy
Pro Jank Footy is an over-the-top arcade comedy-sports game. Score goals to unleash game-changing power-ups, build a deck of absurd abilities, and tackle a season where no two matches are ever the same—solo or with your mates.
Just about everyone I spoke to told me to check this out, and yet the booth had to be one of the busiest at PAX Aus this year. Mashing football with card game mechanics, this one’s definitely not your average yearly released sports game and thank god for that!
Memory’s Reach
Memory’s Reach is a first person puzzle based metroidvania. Explore a huge, interconnected world of labyrinthian megastructures filled with alluring mysteries. Solve challenging puzzles, acquire powerful abilities, and uncover forgotten lore as you seek to reveal the legacy of a doomed civilization.
I do love a puzzle game, and this one’s sci-fi art can’t help but pull you into its clutches. While it’s all quite alien, I did get a feeling much like I did playing Myst. Seeking awnsers and being rewarded with lore makes this one a interesting pick.
Did we miss any?
This is just a fraction of the games that were at PAX Aus 2026 – Did we miss any gems? Let us know via our socials!
