2021 marked the pandemic’s 2nd year, which spelled a new way of work for game developers worldwide. Despite the setback, many developers have their work slated for upcoming releases in 2022 – and the team at Virtual SEA can’t wait to see the fruits of their labor!

Without further ado, here are some of the games that will be making waves in the local development scene.

Confirmed 2022 Titles

Saint Maker by Yangyang Mobile (PC, Switch, Mobile)

Yangyang Mobile returns to the horror roots that launched their name. Saint Maker is their latest visual novel offering, telling the story of the young Holly Beltran and her eerie adventures at a religious recollection. The holy convent seems to have secrets hiding behind its peaceful halls and silent statues…

A short visual novel to the tune of their previous release, Perfect Gold, Saint Maker is awaited by fans of The Letter‘s horror stylings. This time around, a full release is expected not only on PC but also on mobile and the Nintendo Switch. The game is scheduled for release sometime in 2022. You can wishlist the game on Steam.

Project Xandata by Secret 6, Inc. (PC)

Famed Filipino game studio Secret 6 pulled out all stops for its first original IP, Project Xandata. The first Filipino FPS project makes history as the first of its kind. With more multiplayer and customization features, players can look forward to tweaking and perfecting their personal play style. The studio plans to support the game with more additional content in the works.

They revealed the early access release date after the end of its beta period in November 2021. Fans who tried and streamed the arena shooter will get their hands on the game once again on January 26, 2022. You can wishlist the game on Steam and follow updates on Twitter.

Goblin Stone by Orc Chop Games (PC)

Orc Chop Games has been hard at work on their fantastic turn-based RPG Goblin Stone, and the fruit of their labor has been gaining recognition. The game has garnered awards at DevGamm! 2021, GDWC 2021, and the Tencent GWB Game Awards 2021. Suppose you’ve ever wondered what an adventure is like on the Goblin’s side of the story. In that case, this narrative-driven, tactical combat adventure is right up your high fantasy alley.

Orc Chop’s fantastic attention to detail, seen in the smooth combat, hand-drawn visuals, and professional voice acting, makes the game ooze with style and heart. The whole game is set to release in May 2022. You can try the demo available on Steam.

Hatchwell by Adee (PC)

Adee’s retro-inspired action RPG features a charming pixel town experiencing a strange series of events as they prepare for the Hatchwell Festival. It’s up to you – our intrepid hero – and your faithful pet to take on the challenge of helping the Mayor unravel the secrets and solve puzzles to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Hatchwell is a love letter to the early Legend of Zelda titles, paying homage to inspiration while adding original twists. Beautiful pixel art, fun environments to explore, and an evolving storyline make the title a must for nostalgic adventurers. The game is set to release in Early 2022. You can wishlist the game on Steam and follow updates on Twitter.

Lawmage Academy by Verinius (PC)

The hotly anticipated RPG Maker game Lawmage Academy is soon to land in the hands of fans this year! The land of Magusgaia will open to students of the magical arts – a school where you can learn spells, craft potions, and build bonds with your team as you find your place in the school and one of the four Academy Houses.

Lawmage Academy’s refreshed 2020 demo whet the appetites of eager fans. Fantastic pixel and 2D art, plus gameplay throwback to old-school JRPGs, has gained the attention of local and international gamers. The game is set to release within 2022. You can wishlist the game on Steam and follow updates on Twitter.

Trance by Pantoy Games (PC)

Short, simple, spooky, and sleek, Trance by Pantoy Games delivers a side-scrolling adventure for fans of the extreme difficulty of NES games of yore. The unique moody pixel graphics and a tense blend of action and puzzle definitely draw the attention of side scroller enthusiasts.

Is Trance the Dark Souls of modern side scrollers? We won’t have to wait long to find out – the game is set to release on January 19, 2022. You can wishlist the game, grab the demo on Steam and follow updates on Facebook.

Jet Scalawag: The King of Shooters by Peralta Gaming

Peralta Gaming is a game development family that will take gamers into the most exciting reaches of space with their sci-fi shooter, Jet Scalawag: The King of Shooters! The team’s development log on Facebook shows off some stellar views of spacecraft soaring in space and confirmed voice actors to bring the characters to life.

While there is no specific 2022 release date yet, you can find their updates on the Peralta Gaming Facebook and YouTube page.

Eternal Sylvia by Kirinoya Studios

The Baguio-based Kirinoya Studios has an impressive number of games under their belt. Still, the passionate developer keeps delivering more gaming goodness. This time around, their upcoming title Eternal Sylvia is set to be released. Featuring a fantasy RPG setting, great 2D and 3D visuals, and classic turn-based battle, there’s a lot to look forward to in this title.

The demo is available on itch.io. A tentative release is slated for April 2022, but you can catch their updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Immortal Ranker (Mobile)

Immortal Ranker is an upcoming arena-style fighting game for mobile, built by a proudly Filipino team. The game’s worldbuilding is supported by an online manga series and an official soundtrack. The story follows the lives of Johnny, Natalia, and Kenjiro – three separate individuals whose lives we can’t wait to see connected.

While there is no final 2022 release date yet, you can join in on the excitement and get updates on their Facebook page.

Sproutle by Monstronauts (PC, Switch)

Match-3 games are a dime a dozen on mobile, but Monstronauts‘ cute and cuddly Sproutle sets itself apart with colorful charms, helpful skilled pets, and exciting challenges with darklings all throughout your playthrough. Sweet twists to this beloved genre (and eye-catching art style) make this a must-play for casual puzzle fans.

The game, available on Android and Apple phones, will find its way on PC and Switch this year. You can find more updates on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Titan Zero by Maochi Games (Mobile, VR)

The capabilities of VR gaming are upon us, and Maochi Games is ahead of the curve with their exciting 5v5/6v6 mech arena battle game Titan Zero for the Oculus Quest. The immersive mecha sim may fulfill all of your mech pilot dreams by offering different roles, sizes, and weapon combinations. The game is currently in Open Beta.

Titan Zero’s release window is tentatively set for October 2022. You can get updates for their 2022 release on their Facebook page.

Vita Fighters by Ranida Games (PC)

Ranida Games, known for their fun sports-focused mobile titles, has been bullish on their exciting 2D fighting game, Vita Fighters. This year they are taking their 29-fighter roster from the phone to your monitors. The continuous addition of new content and features thanks to player feedback and support ensures a healthy lifespan for the game.

Vita Fighters for PC is confirmed for release this year. You can wishlist the game on Steam and get more updates from their Twitter page.

Upcoming Titles (2022 and Beyond)

The long indie game dev journey is already hard enough as it is, but the continued global pandemic and other unexpected surprises prove to be speed bumps. However, our brave game developers continue to truck on with their vision. Here are the titles we eagerly await, whether they come in 2022 or beyond!

Himig by Onion Blaze (PC)

OnionBlaze is creating the slice-of-life adventure Himig, a “slow gaming” experience that’s all about nostalgic vibes that warm the soul.

Himig is still currently in development, and you can get updates on Twitter and support the project on Ko-fi.

Fighting Pride: The Manny Pacquiao Saga by OMG Inc. and Ranida Games (Mobile)

Fighting Pride is currently in Open Beta in the Philippines only. We’re looking forward to the broader release of the boxing legend beat-em-up soon.

You can get the game on Google Play (if you’re based in the Philippines) and receive updates on their Facebook page.

Good Knight by Team Good Knight (PC)

The metalhead butt-clenching bullet-hell game Good Knight was released in Early Access last year. The game has received a positive response to the 10+ hour campaign and four-player mode. The game is expected to be in Early Access for 3 to 6 months, during which it will be polished to hellish perfection.

You can get the game on Steam and follow the game’s updates on Twitter.

Balete City by Studio Enero (PC)

What started as a graphic novel called Balete High is spinning off into an exciting new RPG featuring Filipino mythological creatures and distinct cultural stories. Balete City is shaping into a fantastic world that many fans would love to dive into and explore.

While a timeline and release date has not been revealed, you can follow their devlogs and updates on their Facebook and Twitter.

Gamecock League (Mobile)

The Pokemon-ification of a favorite Filipino pastime is coming to mobile. Gamecock League features your character on a quest to become the greatest fowl breeder of all time. The devs have been sharing cool art and story tidbits for the full game, exciting the fans eager to know how the hobby will come to life in digital form.

There is no confirmed release date, but you can follow the game’s Facebook page for updates.

Slingshot Defense by Horologium Studios (Android, PC)

Tower defense games are an old favorite, and Horologium Studios is here to put a fresh spin on the genre. Slingshot Defense brings tactical slingshot combat to a fun fantasy world. Various special units and an eye for strategy will carry your team to victory.

The game is set to be released in Q3 2022. You can find updates on the title on their Facebook page.

Of the Lilies by Startris Team

Until Then by Polychroma Games (PC, Switch)

Polychroma Games’ brand of reflective and thoughtful narrative style is already revealed in Until Then‘s short teasers and updates. The beautiful visual style and intriguing premise give and fantastic set-up to this commentary on social connections.

While there is no release date yet and updates have been sparse, you can catch them on Facebook.

RAMO: Runes and Magic Online (Mobile)

RAMO is a fast-paced strategy mobile game that you can play online. Inspired by the gameplay of Collectible Card Games, the game takes familiar mechanics. It adds a Rune and Mana Stone system to add an exciting twist to the genre.

As of July 16, 2021,  the game has achieved completion of its production and is currently in Beta. You can catch their updates on Facebook.

Agimat and the World Beyond by Boom Brain Studio (PC, Consoles)

Laguna’s Boom Brain Studio successfully attained its Kickstarter goals in 2021. Fans of Filipino mythology eagerly await Lukas and Lily’s great side-scrolling adventures in Atycia. The devs have been sharing their progress and devlogs, and we’ve been so excited to see how the game will shape up.

Early Access was scheduled in 2021, with a full release in 2023. You can follow the updates on Facebook and their Kickstarter page.

Soup Pot by Chikon Club (PC, Xbox)

Chikon Club’s cheeky cooking game Soup Pot made a splash at the March 2021 ID@Xbox, wowing gamers worldwide with its fantastic visual representation and no-holds-barred representation of Filipino cuisine and culture on an international platform. Filipino gamers and foodies alike all over the world eagerly await this wholesome digital cooking experience.

The game was scheduled to be released in August 2021, and a new date has not yet been announced, but we hope to heat up the oven soon! You can wishlist the game on Steam and follow updates on Facebook.

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This concludes our list of most-wanted games for 2022 from the Philippines. To get another glimpse of what we await for 2022 from Southeast Asia, please check out our (upcoming) lists for Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Enjoy!

Which games are you expecting the most for 2022? Have we forgotten a highlight? Let us know in the comments what we shouldn’t miss!