Indie game developer Mico Mapalo turned a shower thought into Icarus, a myth-inspired game that captures both the thrill and risk of chasing big dreams—much like the rising Philippine game dev scene itself.
Some people get their best ideas in boardrooms. Mico Mapalo got in the bathroom.
“This is an idea that was made sa banyo,” the indie game developer said, laughing.
That unexpected spark led to Icarus, a game inspired by Greek mythology—but built with Filipino wit and indie spirit. In it, players control the ever-rising Icarus, tasked with keeping him from flying too close to the sun.
The mechanics are simple: guide him left or right to help him dip slightly, avoiding the inevitable burn.
“You can imagine yourself as Daedalus, teaching his son to fly,” Mapalo explained. “He’ll keep flying upward, but your job is to control his direction para hindi siya masunog.”
A Game Dev Metaphor
For Mapalo, Icarus isn’t just a game—it’s a metaphor for the current state of indie game development in the Philippines.
“Aspiring game developers and the current game developers, especially for the indie ones, aim high, be like Icarus, always keep flying, always try,” he said. “But always remember na there is a sun that will burn you once you reach too high.”
It’s a message that resonates across the local scene. With limited resources but limitless ideas, Filipino indie devs are constantly navigating between ambition and burnout, creativity and constraints.
Indie Games on the Rise
Mapalo’s Icarus is part of a new wave of Filipino-made games that blend cultural relevance with original concepts.
There’s Pasahero by Gab del Rosario—a commuter simulator that turns the stress and unpredictability of daily Philippine travel into a witty, all-too-real gaming experience. The game was recently showcased at the Philippine GameDev Expo.
[ALSO READ: Late na naman? ‘Pasahero’ game featured in GameDev Expo captures Pinoy commuter struggle]
Also making waves is Balete Brews, a spooky-sweet café management game where you serve drinks to spirits en route to the afterlife. Developed by indie group Seven Sardines, the game features mythical creatures like tikbalangs and manananggals working behind the counter. The studio’s name? A throwback to its dorm-room beginnings.
[ALSO READ: Manananggals making mochas? Balete Brews spices up GameDev Expo]
These titles, like Icarus, reflect the bold creativity and cultural identity powering the local indie scene. Filipino developers are flying higher than ever—still learning, still dreaming, but fully in motion.
Watch the full interview here: