Spooky Season Arrives: Southeast Asian Indie Games Bring Folklore to App Store

The spooky season is here, and the App Store is celebrating with a hauntingly fun indie game collection from Southeast Asia. These titles feature eerie characters, local legends, and creative gameplay designed by regional talents.

From Indonesia to the Philippines, players can explore ghost stories reimagined through charming visuals and engaging events. Whether you’re cooking for spirits, serving tea to the undead, or battling cursed creatures, this lineup brings a haunting twist to your October.

Tsuki Tea House

From October 1 to November 1, Tsuki Tea House welcomes ghostly guests inspired by Asian folklore. Expect the pocong, wrapped in a white shroud, and the jiangshi, the famous hopping vampire. Players can meet Maru, a wise turtle who shares stories about these wandering spirits. Completing levels unlocks diary entries and eerie home décor for Tsuki’s house.

According to The Carrot Studio from Singapore, this update draws from Southeast Asian customs and altar offerings. Menu items such as Tombstone Nasi Lemak and Forgetfulness Soup reflect traditional dishes, while special furniture like a banana tree or bottled Toyol adds local charm.

Snake.io

Between October 3 and November 3, Snake.io introduces limited-time missions featuring new skins like the Bakunawa, the moon-eating dragon from Filipino myth. Players can also unlock the Chupacabra, Bigfoot, and Bogeyman, alongside new power pellets that grant speed and invincibility. These spooky additions are also available in snake.io+ on Apple Arcade.

The developers at Kooapps from the Philippines wanted to explore urban legends and belonging. The Bakunawa, Bigfoot, and Chupacabra form a bond as misunderstood creatures until the Bogeyman threatens to send them back into the shadows. It’s a surprisingly heartfelt story beneath the spooky fun.

Selera Nusantara

Running from October 9 to November 9, Selera Nusantara unveils a chilling new chapter called “Rawon Setan”, or “the devil’s rawon.” Players work at a late-night stall where mysterious customers appear, inspired by Indonesia’s Three Night Jinx legend. Dishes like satay and rawon setan are tied to folklore and served only after 2 a.m., when spirits roam free.

According to Gambir Studio from Indonesia, the event draws from local ghost tales such as the Sundel Bolong and arwah penasaran. They aimed to balance humor and horror, creating a scene that’s spooky but lighthearted. “Maybe some ghosts can’t move on because they’re still hungry,” they joked.

Soul Huntress

From October 3 to November 3, Soul Huntress hosts “The Phantom Howl” event, inspired by Vietnamese folklore. Players rescue baby ghosts trapped in cursed dungeons and challenge the Demon Dog boss. The top players win the exclusive Drowned Ghost skin for Aeon the Flayer, blending Vietnamese clothing with ghostly design.

According to Panthera the studio from Vietnam, the event combines mythology with storytelling. Players will encounter entities like Ma Da (water ghosts) and Quỷ Nhi (infants’ spirits trapped in jars). These myths, rich in emotion and mystery, fit perfectly with Halloween’s eerie yet heartfelt spirit.

Games Come Home

This Halloween, the App Store’s indie collection highlights Southeast Asia’s creativity and haunting folklore. Each game brings local legends to life with unique gameplay and heartwarming cultural touches.

Whether you’re brewing tea for spirits, serving eerie meals, or battling mythic beasts, these games capture the region’s spooky imagination. Discover them all in the special App Store feature, available now.

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On Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, PS4 & Steam

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Beatrix

Undying Blue

An elite Society agent and contractor of the seal weapon Embrasque, Beatrix's ferocity when facing primal beasts is rivaled only by her insatiable hunger for glory.

Eustace

Earthrending Thunder

An elite Society marksman and contractor of the seal weapon Flamek Thunder, Eustace is efficient, laconic, and longs to live in a world of peace and quiet.

Fraux

Striking Strength

Pactbearer to The Devil, a primal seeking to create a new world order, Fraux is otherwise an ordinary skydweller whose heart, character, and temperament are filled with love and compassion.

Fediel

Darkness Personified

One of the Six Dragons, entities who exist beyond the confines of the natural world. Having dominion over darkness, she influences the very laws of nature.