There were hundreds of booths available to check out at PAX East 2025, many of which featured passionate developers and/or publishers. With so many games on display, it’s hard to get names out to the masses. While there were so many hits, we curated a diverse top ten list of video games to watch out for that caught our eye at PAX East.
10. Royalty Free-for-all
Developed by AAAA Games, Royalty-Free-for-All brings another delightful brawler with various characters that fall under public domain! You can fight as various characters/mythical creatures such as Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, Lancelot, and Sweeney Todd in classic settings like Old MacDonald’s Farm, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Check out our coverage from PAX, wish list it on Steam, and check out the trailer below! Release date TBD.
9. Tire Boy
A game by Team6 Studios, Tire Boy is about a literally tire boy that you control and explore on an island. Taking inspirating of exploration from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (but on a much smaller scale) and speedy traversal from Sonic, the developers encourage you to find various rails and tracks to roll your way toward adventure! Team6 Studios is still working on their Steam page, so until then, check out our interview with them at PAX! Release date TBD.
8. Spider Lily
Developed by Falsework Studio, Spider Lily is their debut title scheduled for released late 2026. The game is a cinematic platformer where players take on the role of the lost soul exploring a surreal, “sculptural” landscape. Spider Lily‘s themes are about attachment and loss and is quite the hidden gem of PAX. They are working on launching Kickstarter and a Steam demo page, so stay tuned. Until then, check out our interview with the founder and visual artist. Release date TBD.
7. On Any Journey
Developed by Funbrew Games, On Any Journey is a heartfelt co-op adventure. It features hand-drawn artwork and focuses on teamwork through various puzzles. The game explores themes of friendship and acceptance.
6. Fresh Tracks
Developed by Buffalo Buffalo, Fresh Tracks is a rhythm game at heart. There are roguelite elements and layered, story-rich narrative. The best part is the variety of music genres available as you progress through the game. It is also made for both beginners and experts in rhythm games, which makes this appealing for many! Release date TBD.
5. God Save Birmingham
Developed by Ocean Drive Studios, Inc., this graphically stunning zombie survival game plops you in Medieval times. Without modern weaponry, you need to get creative to make it out alive. Release date TBD.
4. Compensation Not Guaranteed
Developed by Toge Productions, this point-and-click sim is much like Papers, Please. With colorful characters and art-style, this casual game peels back layers of politics as you decide if they get compensating for giving their land to the government. The story changes course based on your decisions. Release date for Compensation Not Guaranteed is TBD.
3. Tanuki: Pon’s Summer
Developed by Denkiworks, Tanuki: Pon’s Summer is all about cute and cozy gameplay. This is labeled as an open-world life sim, but there are plenty of things that make it stand out. Not only are you playing as an adorably tanuki, but you also work at a post-office part time and do tricks on your BMX bike. Release date TBD.
2. GIGASWORD
Developed by Studio Hybrid, GIGASWORD is a 2D action-adventure metroidvania. The kicker is that you need to balance the weight of your mighty sword, which can be used for more than just slaying foes. Release date TBD.
1. Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson
Developed by Ritual Studios, Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson is a turn-based RPG with a rhythm element to it. It’s got stylized pixel graphics, colorful characters, and amazing tunes. Release date is soon–5/22/2025.
The premise surrounds a musician named Rob who wants to win the Battle of the Bands; however, the organizer is plotting to trap talented musicians with a soul-binding contract. You utilize your instruments to battle monster-instrument hybrids and restore harmony in the land.
And there you have it. There were so many more games that are just incredible–such as Sol Mates (think sci-fi version of Overcooked), Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree (a smooth and gorgeous underwater journey), and The Fractured Shimmer (think Clock Tower Rewind) –and we will continue to monitor and cover their releases.
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