Australia produces some fantastic home-grown video games each year, and a highlight of seeing that is attending events like PAX Australia, and other conventions to see these games come along through several years, until they’re fully released. This year was a huge year for Aussie game, as we had one of the most anticipated games of the year come from Adelaide.
Here are our picks for the five best Australian video games from 2025.
5.) Ailuri
In the very cute Aluri, you play as an adorable red panda on a mission to save other red pandas, and also endangered and possibly extinct animals that are at risk thanks to humans and our machines. It’s a beautiful little story, with a stunning art direction.
– Dylan
4.) Isopod: A Webbed Spin-off
Aussies love to make animal-based video games, and the, at times, silly and hectic nature of rolloing and throwing around as the Isopod in this 3D adventure spin-off to Webbed is a great example of the kind of weeird video games we love to make locally and seem to excel at, with a enjoyable basic premise, and faith in players to find the humour and fun in the execution.
– Dylan
3.) Carmen Sandiego
Playing as Carmen herself in this adventure and puzzle game, the latest entry in the long-running series of educational video games, shows that Australian devs can more than handle big IP and do amazing things with it. The gameplay is a great mix of what the series is known for, while adding fast-paced adventure elements and a strong visual identity, and it played well on everything from mobile to consoles.
– Dylan
2.) Hollow Knight: Silksong
Set after the original game, the story unfolds in the enchanting but perilous Kingdom of Pharloom, a land gripped by a maddening affliction known as the haunting, caused by the slumbering, God-like entity Grandmother Silk.
Captured and brought to this strange realm, the brave hero Hornet escapes and embarks on a daring ascent of the looming citadel. As she battles the haunted inhabitants, remnants of the silk curse, Hornet unravels the kingdom’s Weaver origins and confronts Lace, a powerful silk entity. Driven by courage, she seeks to understand her connection to Pharloom and to free its suffering people from the grip of madness.
– Jacob
1.) The Drifter
The Drifter is a stellar example of building upon one of video games’ older genres. This narrative point-and-click adventure features great writing, a bold sci-fi story, and fantastic voice performances from the entire cast. It’s equally Australian in setting and tone, while also showing a much larger plot than you’d have guessed from the outset, which is a highlight of what local indie devs are able to develop here.
– Dylan
Find all of Explosion Network’s Best of 2025 coverage right here, and be sure to let us know your thoughts on any of our lists in the comments section.
