Introduction: Why Aussie Indies Deserve Your Attention

Australia’s indie game scene has evolved from a niche market into a globally recognised creative powerhouse. From narrative-rich adventures to quirky platformers and innovative survival games, Australian developers are making serious waves — and 2025 is shaping up to be their biggest year yet.

In this article, we highlight the top upcoming indie games from Australian studios, with details on platforms, genres, and why each title is worth your wishlist.

 Top 7 Australian Indie Games to Watch in 2025

1. Saltwind: Echoes from the Reef

Studio: Coral Lantern Games (Brisbane)
Genre: Narrative exploration / underwater survival
Platform: PC, Xbox Series, Steam Deck

 Set in a post-climate-crisis world, explore underwater ruins and unlock ancient marine secrets.
Why it stands out: Stunning water physics, dynamic fish AI, and fully voice-acted Aussie cast.

2. Grubtown

Studio: Minted Mozzie (Sydney)
Genre: Comedy farming sim / management
Platform: PC, Switch

 A satirical take on farming sims — run a farm in a pest-ridden outback town where bugs are the economy.
What makes it great: Fully mod-able, voiced by Aussie comedians, and local lingo galore.

3. Zero Signal

Studio: Hollow Byte (Melbourne)
Genre: Tactical shooter / roguelite
Platform: PC only

 Cyberpunk meets Rainbow Six in this tactical FPS where every round is procedurally generated.
Bonus: Dedicated Aussie servers confirmed for co-op mode.

4. Wanderlight

Studio: Red Wattle Games (Adelaide)
Genre: Atmospheric puzzle platformer
Platform: PC, Mac

 A lone child with a lantern must restore light to a forest swallowed by shadows.
Why it’s special: Hand-drawn art and a soundtrack composed entirely by First Nations artists.

5. Highrise Hooligans

Studio: Larrikin Pixel (Canberra)
Genre: Multiplayer sandbox chaos / Aussie “Goat Simulator”
Platform: PC, PS5

 Wreak havoc in procedurally generated Aussie apartment buildings — lawn mowers, BBQs, wheelie bins included.
Fun fact: Inspired by real-life viral clips from Aussie TikTok.

6. Bleeding Bushrangers

Studio: Dry Dust Studios (Darwin)
Genre: Western rogue-action / pixel brawler
Platform: PC, Steam Deck

 Play as infamous Aussie outlaws in an alternate history where robots police the Outback.
Mechanic highlight: Day-night outlaw notoriety system with permadeath.

7. The Signal House

Studio: Fremantle Forge (Perth)
Genre: Horror / psychological mystery
Platform: PC, Xbox, PS5

 Investigate an abandoned radio tower in the Pilbara — alone, or in 2-player co-op.
Why it’s on the list: Deep story, location-based soundscapes, and branching choices.

 Honourable Mentions

• CrocJump – A Croc-themed Aussie retro platformer (QLD, 2025 Q3)

• Sunburnt Sails – Open-world survival aboard a desert ship (NSW)

• Viral Load – Satirical medical management game (VIC, early 2026)

 Where to Follow Aussie Indie Games

•  Twitter/X: @IGDA_Australia, @ScreenAusGames

•  Reddit: r/IndieDev, r/AustralianGamers

•  YouTube: Devlogs from @GameDevAus & @MadeInAustralia

•  Podcasts: “Lightmap” by SIFTER (Aussie gaming news & dev interviews)

 Why Support Australian Indies?

•  Your dollar stays local — supporting developers and the creative economy

•  Aussie indies often tackle themes and humour you won’t find anywhere else

•  Many are funded through grants from Screen Australia, Film Victoria, and South Australian Film Corp — showing serious talent is being nurtured

 How to Support These Games

• Wishlist them on Steam or Itch.io

• Follow the devs on socials

• Join early playtests or betas (many announced via Discord)

• Buy direct when available — devs keep more of the revenue

• Share trailers in Aussie gamer groups or forums

 Final Thoughts: The Indie Goldmine Is Right Here

While AAA titles get the headlines, Australia’s indie dev scene is building worlds that reflect local culture, creativity, and humour. 2025 is your chance to discover, support, and play games that don’t just entertain — they represent.

Keep your eye on these titles, and keep supporting the teams behind them. The next big global hit? It might just come from your own backyard.