Issue 24

66 games in the database / Discovering indie games from Asia — and checking whether they speak your language.

Weekly Scout/Issue 15 ・ Aug 13, 2026

Born from doujin and solo work

Many Asian indie games began as doujin projects or one person's hobby. Five of them this week, from Cave Story to Touhou Project fan games.

This is a retrospective issue compiled in October 2026; the date marks the week it covers.

  1. JapanNicalis, Inc., Studio Pixel ・ Nov 22, 2011

    Cave Story+

    The enhanced edition of Cave Story, the 2D action-adventure Daisuke 'Pixel' Amaya made almost single-handedly over about five years. An indie classic; English and Japanese only on Steam.

    ✗Trad. Chinese ✗Simp. Chinese ✓Japanese ✗Korean ✓English

  2. Japankikiyama ・ Jan 9, 2018

    Yume Nikki

    A surreal exploration game made in RPG Maker by the pseudonymous Japanese creator Kikiyama: wander through a girl's dreams with no combat and no clear goal. Free on Steam.

    ✗Trad. Chinese ✗Simp. Chinese ✓Japanese ✗Korean ✓English

  3. JapanTeam Ladybug, WSS playground ・ Feb 25, 2019

    Touhou Luna Nights

    A licensed Touhou Project Metroidvania built around Sakuya's power to stop time. Steam lists Simplified Chinese but no Traditional Chinese.

    ✗Trad. Chinese ✓Simp. Chinese ✓Japanese ✓Korean ✓English

  4. China二色幽紫蝶, Re零同人社 ・ Oct 1, 2021

    Touhou Mystia's Izakaya

    A Touhou Project fan game from the Chinese doujin team Dichroic Purpilion: run Mystia's little izakaya — gather ingredients by day, serve familiar characters by night.

    ✓Trad. Chinese ✓Simp. Chinese ✓Japanese ✓Korean ✓English

  5. JapanKROBON station ・ Mar 17, 2016

    Pharaoh Rebirth+

    A 2D Metroidvania by Japan's Krobon Station, whose creators went on to form Team Ladybug: the cursed adventurer Jonathan travels across Egypt to gather seven holy grails. English and Japanese only.

    ✗Trad. Chinese ✗Simp. Chinese ✓Japanese ✗Korean ✓English

Compiled with AI assistance. Every fact links to its source; the source prevails if we got something wrong.

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