This year’s PAX Aus once again proved why it’s one of the most beloved events on the Australian gaming calendar. Held over three packed days, it’s a celebration of gaming and gaming culture filled with thought-provoking panels, a buzzing expo hall, incredible tournaments, and a community that truly feels like family.
With over 85,000 attendees flooding the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for the 2025 weekend, the atmosphere was electric. But for me, the real magic happened in the Indie Game Showcase where creativity, heart, and storytelling collide. Wandering through the rows of passionate developers showing off their work, I discovered a few absolute standouts that deserve to be on every gamer’s radar.
Silk Soar — From Darkness to Light
The first game that caught my eye was Silk Soar, a physics-flinging, rage-bringing narrative 2D platformer where you take on life as a newborn caterpillar, climbing from the rainforest floor to the top of the canopy.
Created by an Adelaide-based team, Silk Soar isn’t just a platformer, it’s a story about persistence and healing. One of the developers told me the concept was inspired by themes of PTSD, transformation, and finding light after darkness. The narrative unfolds like a poem…literally. The lore is told through verse, and it’s beautiful.
Their booth at PAX was crowdfunded, which makes their presence even more inspiring. The game is set to release mid-next year, but there’s already a demo available — and trust me, it’s worth checking out.
When I played, I was immediately struck by:
- The sweet, painterly animation and gentle art style
- How intuitive and easy it was to pick up
- The smart “trajectory preview” that lets you plan your flings strategically
- The deeply personal story which has a metaphorical journey from darkness into light
- And, of course, that poetic narration that ties it all together
Silk Soar manages to be both peaceful and punishing, a delicate balance that keeps you coming back for “just one more try.”
Bits & Bops — Joy in Every Beat
Next up: Bits & Bops, a delightful rhythm game bursting with personality.
This is a collection of 20 original rhythm mini-games, each filled with catchy music, hand-drawn animation, and gameplay that’s easy for anyone to pick up. It’s got that same instant charm as Rhythm Heaven or WarioWare, but with its own unique flavour.
The Australian team behind Bits & Bops has already been racking up awards, from the SXSW Sydney Games Festival (2023 and 2024) to several other festival selections and it’s easy to see why. The controls are snappy, the tunes are infectiously catchy, and the art style radiates joy.
Built on a custom game engine designed for lightning-fast responsiveness, every tap feels perfectly in sync. Whether you’re a rhythm game veteran or just someone who loves a good beat, Bits & Bops is the kind of game that makes you smile from the first note to the last.
Bones: Wandering Soul — A Haunting Journey of Belonging
The last game I want to highlight is Bones: Wandering Soul, a 2.5D narrative-driven adventure/puzzle game about a small skeleton on a journey of self-discovery.
You play as Bones, a misfit separated from his coffin, wandering a strange city filled with secrets, ghosts, and memories. To find his way home, he must help both the living and the dead, carrying messages, solving puzzles, and uncovering clues about his lost identity.
The game blends the quirky charm of Harold Halibut with the eerie atmosphere of Little Nightmares, set against a backdrop inspired by 90s and postmodern architecture. The result is a hauntingly beautiful world…one that feels nostalgic and unsettling all at once.
I was especially intrigued by the story behind its creation. The project grew out of a Screen Australia Emerging Game Makers Fund, initially testing a concept around detachable limbs (yes, really). It was developed by a team of RMIT Masters students, including an animator who moved from Perth to Melbourne — a move that inspired the game’s emotional core.
Bones’ story reflects that sense of alienation and belonging — the feeling that home can be both familiar and strange, and that sometimes the journey to find it is what truly defines us.
There are 18–20 supporting characters, each with their own story arcs, and the game will unfold over five to seven episodes. Despite being a work in progress, the build I saw already had stunning animation and I loved that they left the animatics visible in some scenes. Seeing those unfinished sketches offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at how much artistry and care goes into every frame.
The Beating Heart of Aussie Game Dev
PAX Aus always showcases the best of gaming culture, but what makes the Indie Showcase so special is the sheer passion behind every booth. Each of these games — Silk Soar, Bits & Bops, and Bones: Wandering Soul represents something uniquely Australian: creativity, storytelling, and heart.
From caterpillars climbing toward the light, to rhythm games that make you grin, to skeletons finding their way home, these indie gems remind us that games aren’t just about mechanics or graphics. They’re about connection, emotion, and artistry.
I walked away from PAX Aus 2025 inspired and more certain than ever that the future of Australian game development is brighter (and weirder, and more wonderful) than ever.
