When people think of PAX AUS, they picture the big booths, the flashy hardware, and the AAA titles dominating the show floor. And sure, that’s part of the experience, but for me? It’s all about the indie zone. That’s where the real magic happens. It’s where creativity runs wild, where passionate developers pour their hearts into projects that feel personal, experimental, and sometimes downright unexpected.

Walking through that section feels like stepping into a different world. No massive LED screens or booming sound systems, just rows of games waiting to be discovered. Hidden gems that might never hit the mainstream, but leave a lasting impression if you give them a chance. This year, I spent nearly an entire day exploring, talking to devs, and playing everything I could. Honestly? It was overwhelming. So many incredible titles, each with its own charm. Narrowing down my favourites wasn’t easy. In fact, it felt impossible at times. But after a lot of hands-on time (and a few tough calls), here’s what stood out.

CODE by New Zealand – A Packed Treasure Trove

At first glance, the CODE section looked crammed together, but don’t let that fool you. If you skipped it, you missed out on some seriously epic games. Here are my top picks from the 18 studios represented:

Project Storm

Website: transformative-games.com
About: Become a legendary storm chaser in this solo/co-op action-adventure sim. Complete contracts amid nature’s most powerful superstorms—tornadoes, lightning storms, hurricanes.
My Thoughts: This was my game of PAX, hands down. I even dragged Dez over to play because I couldn’t keep this one to myself. There’s something thrilling about dropping storm beacons and racing against nature’s fury, it felt like stepping straight into Dez’s favourite 1996 movie, Twister. I grew up rewatching Twister, so this hit all the right nostalgic notes. The tension when a tornado starts forming and you’re scrambling to get your gear in place? Unreal. And the visuals, those swirling clouds and lightning strikes, are stunning. If you missed it, grab the demo. It’s chaotic, fun, and addictive. Massive props to the devs for pulling off something this ambitious. Spoiler alert: this is my Top Indie pick.

Davy Jones Deckhand

Website: cassbaygames.com
About: A swashbuckling roguelike deck builder where perfect-parry counter-attacks rule the seas.
My Thoughts: This one surprised me. I’m not always into deck builders, but the combat here feels sharp and rewarding. Pulling off a perfect parry and chaining counter-attacks is ridiculously satisfying. The art style pops, the UI is clean, and the fonts are easy to read, small detail, but it matters when you’re juggling cards mid-battle. It’s approachable too; you don’t need to be a card game veteran to enjoy it. I found myself thinking, “Just one more run,” which is always a good sign. One of my favourite indie at PAX, and honestly, it deserves way more attention.

How Was Your Day

Website: madcarnivalgames.com
About: A time-loop mystery set in 1980s New Zealand. Think Groundhog Day meets Stranger Things.
My Thoughts: Did I find Beans, the missing dog? Not telling. The demo’s ending was pure genius, I actually laughed out loud when it hit. The vibe is spot-on: retro without feeling forced, like stepping into an old family home with wood-panelled walls and chunky furniture. The time-loop mechanic adds this creeping tension, you know something’s off, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. And the writing? Sharp. I’m hooked. I can’t wait for the full release because I need answers. And Beans. Mostly I need more Beans.

Adaptory

Website: stormcloak.games
About: Survive after crash-landing in uncharted space. Manage resources, keep your crew alive, and find a way home.
My Thoughts: This one’s a slow burn. The concept is fantastic, deep space survival with a heavy dose of strategy, but the build at PAX felt a little overwhelming at first. Lots of menus, lots of systems. I gave up after a few minutes, but not because it’s bad, just because it demands time, and PAX isn’t exactly the place for that. The visuals are clean, and the devs were great to talk to. I get the sense that if I sat down with this for an hour, I’d be hooked. It’s one to watch.

Other Indie Highlights

Chess Plus

Website: chessplus.com
About: Not just chess, but better chess. Hybrid pieces, roguelike deckbuilding, and online multiplayer.
My Thoughts: I’ll be honest, I don’t usually get excited about chess games. They tend to feel rigid, and playing against bots gets old fast. But Chess Plus completely flipped that expectation. The idea of merging pieces, like creating a “Knook” by combining a Knight and a Rook, is genius. It adds this layer of strategy that feels fresh without losing the essence of chess. Throw in roguelike deckbuilding and multiplayer, and suddenly you’ve got something that feels dynamic and unpredictable. I found myself thinking through moves in a way I haven’t in years. It’s clever, fun, and surprisingly addictive.

Memory’s Reach

Website: memorysreach.com
About: A puzzling metroidvania adventure with alien tech and labyrinthine megastructures.
My Thoughts: We watched Dez play this during an interview, and even from the side-lines, it looked intriguing. The environments are massive and mysterious, with that eerie, “you’re not supposed to be here” vibe. The puzzles seem layered, like they’ll make you stop and think rather than just brute-force your way through. It’s one of those games that feels like it rewards patience and curiosity. I didn’t get hands-on time as Dez hogged it, but it’s definitely on my radar.

Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar

Website: abandonedsheep.com
About: A puzzle-heist adventure with a quantum twist. You play Mittens the cat, infiltrating a research facility with help from Lazy Susan the hedgehog.
My Thoughts: This one was pure fun. Playing as Mittens is hilarious, especially the mechanic where you bite objects to open them. It’s such a small detail, but it feels authentic if you’ve ever owned a cat. The quantum twist adds a clever layer: being in two places at once changes how you approach puzzles, and it’s not just a gimmick, it actually matters. The design is clean, navigation feels intuitive, and the humor lands without being over the top. It’s quirky in the best way.

Bravecart

Website: bravecartgame.com
About: An abandoned shopping trolley sparks a revolution in a world dominated by supermarket overlords.
My Thoughts: This game is wild—in the best way. Watching people play was almost as fun as playing it myself. The controls are simple, the levels are clean, and the concept is so absurd that it works. There’s something oddly satisfying about rolling through a dystopian supermarket world as a sentient trolley. It’s easy to pick up, but you’ll want to keep going just to see what happens next. Definitely one of the most unique ideas I saw at PAX.

Aussie Bogan Hero

Website: snagswagstudios.com
About: A 2D metroidvania full of Aussie humour.
My Thoughts: This one’s tricky for me. The demo at PAX was fun, the barbecue save point is brilliant Aussie humor, but I received a copy of this game pre-PAX and the Steam build felt different, and not in a good way. To make matters worse, the booth experience wasn’t great. The dev seemed disengaged, and responses were short and dismissive. That said, the game itself has charm. It reminded me of the old-school platformers I grew up with, but with a distinctly Aussie  bogan twist. I want to love it, and maybe with some polish, I will.

Drum Roll Please… My Top Indie Picks of PAX AUS 2025

After hours of wandering through the indie zone, chatting with devs, and playing everything I could get my hands on, I finally narrowed it down. And let me tell you—it wasn’t easy. There were so many incredible games this year that picking just five felt almost unfair. But here we go:

1. Project Storm – This one blew me away, literally and figuratively. It’s everything I wanted from a storm-chasing sim and more. The tension, the visuals, the sheer thrill of racing against nature, it’s unforgettable. My game of PAX, no question.
2. How Was Your Day – A time-loop mystery with heart, humor, and a dash of supernatural weirdness. The vibe is pure 80s nostalgia, and the writing is sharp. I’m still thinking about that demo ending.
3. Chess Plus – Who knew chess could feel this fresh? Hybrid pieces, roguelike deckbuilding, and multiplayer make every match unpredictable. It’s clever, strategic, and surprisingly addictive.
4. Schrodinger’s Cat Burglar – Quirky, smart, and full of charm. Playing as Mittens the cat was hilarious, and the quantum twist adds real depth to the puzzles. It’s the kind of game that makes you smile while making you think.
5. Davy Jones Deckhand – Swashbuckling meets strategy in a roguelike deck builder that’s easy to pick up but hard to put down. Perfect parries and counter-attacks never felt so satisfying.

And yes, Bravecart almost made the list. Honestly, it was a tough call. Watching people roll through dystopian supermarkets as a sentient trolley was pure entertainment, and the concept is brilliant. But in the end, these five stood out just a little more.