External Discovery
7 indie games in this list, released 2017–2023, from developers such as YOUSFI M Walid, Zunbarak, Inkline Ltd.. Pick one to read our editorial note and jump to its store page.
These are editorial pages. The developers and publishers are not affiliated with The Gaming Nest unless explicitly stated.
By YOUSFI M Walid · Algeria
Dreaded Drafts is a physics-based puzzle platformer about a sticky note trying to reach his girlfriend across a board. Dying is part of the solution, because each death changes the level layout the player uses to get past obstacles. Walid Yousfi of the Algerian studio Xerise built it in 48 hours for the GM48 game jam in 2019, and it is on itch.io.
By YOUSFI M Walid · Algeria
Adventure of Gharsoon is a 2D puzzle platformer about Gharsoon, a rabbit travelling across the Arab world. His planting ability grows trees that the player uses to cross obstacles and solve puzzles, in a story about unity and friendship. It was made in GameMaker by Walid Yousfi of Xerise, a studio listed among Algeria's game developers, and is available on itch.io.
By Zunbarak · Jordan
DeadBox is a puzzle-platformer in which the player is a small box that can sacrifice itself, leaving a dead box behind that presses buttons and opens doors. Each sacrifice costs a life, so the ability has to be used carefully, and levels award up to three stars for speed while guns, spikes and fans add pressure. It is made by Zunbarak, an indie developer listed in Jordan's 962Games directory.
By Inkline Ltd. · Lebanon
Ayo: A Rain Tale is a puzzle platformer about a young girl who crosses the harsh lands of sub-Saharan Africa to fetch water for her family during a drought. Players push boulders, solve puzzles, face enemies and deal with heat and a day-night cycle along the way. The game was made to raise awareness of water scarcity. It is the debut of Inkline, a studio based in Beirut, Lebanon, and launched on PC before coming to mobile.
By Up One Games · Saudi Arabia
Bargan's Treasure is a narrative puzzle-platforming adventure set in a hand-painted, deserted village inspired by the mountains of Saudi Arabia. You explore ruins, work out the strange inventions of Bargan and restore water and power to the village while tracing a dagger lost for centuries. It is being made by Up One Games, which the IsaKaba directory lists as a studio from Saudi Arabia.
By TACSOU · Morocco
Colored Effects is a 2D puzzle platformer in which each colour gives the player a different ability. You switch between colours and their effects to get through levels, collect gems, beat bosses and solve environmental puzzles. It is the first PC release from TACSOU, the one-person studio of Moroccan developer Soufiane Tacherifine, and it is also sold on Nintendo Switch.
By AstraValle · Saudi Arabia
Nrem is a 2D puzzle platformer set in surreal dream worlds and built around a reflection mechanic that opens new ways to move. You play Lou, a dream-world watcher who breaks a rule of non-intervention by stealing a piece of a mirror linked to a struggling human, which drives a quiet story about memory and empathy. It is developed by AstraValle, a three-person studio from Saudi Arabia.