Brazilians' receptiveness to video games, together with the size of the country, leads many companies to see Brazil as a highly promising market in this segment. A closer look, however, shows that Brazil stands out not only for its number of players: game production and development are increasingly proving to be strengths of our market.
Several games produced in our country have now achieved global releases, originating from studios located in São Paulo, Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais, and many other places. These games generally do not have large budgets and are developed by small teams without support from major publishers or companies. That is why they are called independent games, or "indies." Despite lacking major resources, these indie games stand out through originality, creativity, and unconventional approaches, often exploring themes and mechanics that are uncommon in popular games.
In this article, we selected seven games developed by Brazilians that were independent of major companies at the time of publication.
Dandara: Trials of Fear
This is an action-platform game inspired by the historical figure Dandara, the wife of Zumbi dos Palmares, recognized as a Black warrior during Brazil's colonial period. The plot places Dandara in a dystopian setting, where she stands out through her ability to jump between walls to navigate the environment and face enemies. The game features high-quality retro art, with detailed animations covering nearly every element on the screen.
Developed by Long Hat House, a studio based in Minas Gerais, the game was released in 2018 and is available for a variety of platforms, including PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, and iOS, offering players diverse access.
No Place for Bravery
No Place for Bravery is an action RPG that immerses players in fast-paced, real-time combat centered on combos that require skill. With its stylized retro aesthetic and vast, imposing environments, the game offers an experience that is both new and nostalgic. The story follows Thorn, a determined warrior searching for his missing daughter while uncovering the mysteries of his own past. The work was developed by Glitch Factory, a studio formed by a group of friends from Brasília.
Originally released in 2022, the game is available for PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, and Linux.
Kaze and the Wild Masks
This is a platform game developed by Brazilian studio Vox Game Studio. Released in March 2021, the game received praise for its gameplay and vibrant visuals. Inspired by classic 1990s platform games, including the Sonic the Hedgehog series itself, Kaze and the Wild Masks follows the story of Kaze, a young rabbit who embarks on a journey to save her friend Hogo and restore peace to her homeland, the Crystal Islands.
The game is available for a wide variety of platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Linux, and macOS.
Dandy Ace
Produced by São Paulo-based studio Mad Mimic and distributed by Neowiz, Dandy Ace is a roguelike action game, a style characterized by levels generated randomly or procedurally during play, with some similarities to the already famous Hades, for example. The game follows Ace, an extravagant magician trapped in a mirror by the evil Lele, master of mirrors. Through fast, challenging gameplay, players explore a constantly changing world inside the mirror, facing enemies and powerful bosses while searching for a way out.
Released in 2020, the game is available on platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows (PC), and macOS.
FOBIA - St. Dinfna Hotel
FOBIA - St. Dinfna Hotel is a psychological horror game developed by Brazilian studio Ateliê Produções de Jogos. The game achieved major worldwide success among streamers on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch, immersing players in a dark, claustrophobic atmosphere as they explore the decaying, haunted corridors of the St. Dinfna Hotel. Inspired by Brazilian folklore and horror culture, FOBIA - St. Dinfna Hotel challenges players to face their deepest fears while uncovering the sinister mysteries plaguing the hotel.
Inspired by P.T., the cancelled PlayStation 4 project Silent Hills, as well as Resident Evil and Fatal Frame, the game emphasizes exploration and puzzle-solving while also including firearm combat. Given the scarcity of ammunition, it is essential for the player to use intelligence to survive.
Released in 2022, the game was confirmed for recent-generation platforms including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows (Steam), Xbox Series X, and Series S.
A Lenda do Herói
Created by Brazilian studio Dumativa Creative Studio in partnership with the "Castro Brothers" duo. The game was released in 2016 and is a tribute to classic platform games from the 1980s and 1990s, with a humorous approach and a captivating soundtrack. Inspired by pop culture and video game clichés, A Lenda do Herói follows the adventures of a hero searching for his beloved princess, facing epic challenges and defeating bosses along the way. The game stands out through its pixel-art style, nostalgic references, and narration during gameplay.
Originally released in 2016, the game was published on other platforms over the years, including Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows (PC), Linux, and macOS.
Horizon Chase Turbo
Created by AQUIRIS, Horizon Chase draws inspiration from the golden age of 1990s racing games, with the acclaimed 1992 title Top Gear as its main point of reference. One of the project's biggest surprises was classic Top Gear series composer Barry Leitch composing music for it.
The game offers a genuinely nostalgic experience for fans of retro racing games. Players can compete on a variety of tracks inspired by real locations around the world while unlocking new cars and facing challenges. With an exciting soundtrack and multiplayer game modes, Horizon Chase Turbo is a tribute to the most classic racing games and is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows (PC), Linux, Amazon Luna, macOS, and even Classic Mac OS.
