Filipino indie game Pasahero, developed by Gab Del Rosario and featured at the Philippine GameDev Expo, turns the everyday chaos of commuting in the Philippines into a witty, relatable, and all-too-real gaming experience.
No monsters, no guns, no magic mushrooms — just you, your last few coins, and the hope of making it to class on time.
Welcome to Pasahero, an indie game by Filipino developer Gab Del Rosario that turns the everyday chaos of commuting in the Philippines into an actual game.
And it’s not a stretch — if you’ve ever battled rush hour, you’ve basically played it IRL.
“If naglaro po kayo ng Mario… sa Mario, ‘yong goal niya is iligtas si Princess Peach. Dito ang goal mo is makapasok ka lang on time,” says Gab, a graduate of Computer Science and Game Design from Ateneo, during the Philippine GameDev Expo.
So forget fantasy quests — this one’s about surviving stormy weather, and speeding vehicles.
The challenge? Get to class before the timer runs out.
You’ve got limited coins, zero control over traffic, and a system stacked against you.
“To top it off, may pamasahe ka na, limited lang and may timer pa. So if masyado ka nang late, late ka na sa class, mababa score mo,” Gab explained.
Just like real life, Pasahero doesn’t let you control everything.
“The biggest challenge was how can I make the game na ikaw ‘yung commuter… you really don’t have much control.”
From slow-moving lines to sudden rain, the grind is real — and that’s the point.
It may look simple, but Pasahero hits close to home for anyone who's ever fought for a seat, panicked over the fare, or cursed at traffic. And even if you’re not a gamer or an esports fan, it’s easy to relate.
“I think malaki po siyang contribution because it sparks conversation about the way that we live… ‘Yung mga maliliit na bagay na baka hindi natin iniisip,” he added.
That’s what makes Pasahero different. It’s not just a game — it’s a slice of Filipino life, wrapped in humor and pixel art. It invites us to laugh at the chaos, even if we just lived it an hour ago.
“Madami kang matutunan sa sarili mo about the game… why do you enjoy the game that you love? Bakit ka natatawa sa jokes ng Pasahero?” Gab adds.
“If may person na walang alam about Philippines or commuting… can they relate to it? Can they understand what’s that like?”
And the answer is yes. Because whether you’re in Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao, Pasahero reflects a reality every Filipino knows too well: the daily battle just to get from Point A to Point B.
Now available on itch.io, Pasahero proves that you don’t need dragons or outer space to make an epic game. Sometimes, all you need is a jeepney ride, exact fare, and a whole lot of patience.
Strap in, gamer. Or risk getting left behind.