Google Play has announced its “Best of 2025” awards, recognizing apps and games that have stood out and received significant user support throughout the year. This year, the rise of indie games was particularly notable, with works created through original ideas and passionate developers receiving significant attention.
Korean indie games selected as “Indie Games of the Year”
Banji Games’ ‘Click Three Kingdoms’ has built a system that allows for rapid growth with simple operations, providing a highly satisfying user experience and was named one of the ‘Indie Games of the Year’.
Banji Games, the developer known for the “Seoul 2033” series, is an indie developer that creates unique games based on the motto, “Fail as an original rather than succeed as a copycat.” The name “Banji Games” comes from the joy and happiness I felt as a college student, creating games in my semi-basement apartment and showing them to my friends. It’s a reminder that even if we achieve success, we shouldn’t forget that mindset.
Beginning with “Hanunjeong Blind Date!” in 2016, Banji Games has established its own brand sensibility by introducing diverse games beyond genres, including “Seoul 2033,” “Dice Empire,” and “Secondhand Peace Country.” “Click Three Kingdoms” is another title that embodies this Banji Games philosophy, showcasing the appeal of a casual strategy game set in the Three Kingdoms period.
Global award-winning game ‘Dredge’ honored in the Play Pass game category.
“Dredge” won the “Play Pass Game of the Year” award. Developed by Black Salt Games, “Dredge” is a single-player fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent. Its compelling story and aesthetic quality have earned it an overwhelmingly positive Steam review.
The game follows a captain stranded in an unfamiliar village, who embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries of the sea. Set in a fishing village, fishing and boating play a key role, earning it the nickname “healing content.” Combining a unique atmosphere inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos with exploration elements, the game is considered a game that transcends the framework of a simple fishing game.
The game offers a peaceful fishing experience during the day, but at night, bizarre creatures appear, forcing a thrilling voyage. Collect over 125 species of deep-sea creatures, and sell the catch to upgrade your boat and venture deeper into the ocean.
Indie Game Trends in 2025
Looking at this year’s award winners, several distinct trends stand out.
1. Design that respects users’ time
Games that respect the user’s time and incorporate casual elements have consistently gained popularity. Systems like “Click Three Kingdoms,” which allow for rapid growth with simple controls, have been a hit with busy modern players. “King Shot,” which combines strategic and idle elements, was also selected as the “Casual Game of the Year,” further supporting this trend.
2. Unique worldview and storytelling
Games that go beyond simple gameplay and combine a robust narrative with elements of mystery have garnered attention. Games that combine the everyday act of fishing with cosmic horror to create a unique experience, as demonstrated by “Dredge,” have gained popularity.
3. The continued love for games with vast worldviews.
‘SD Gundam G Generation Eternal’, which was selected as ‘Story Game of the Year’, and ‘WOS: Whiteout Survival’, which was selected as ‘Long-running Game of the Year’, were loved by users for their consistent updates and in-depth content.
Global Achievements of Korean Indie Games
2025 was a year in which the global advancements of Korean developers stood out more than ever. Beyond indie games, Gravity’s “Ragnarok Crush” was named the “Casual Game of the Year” in five Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. In the Indian market, Krafton’s “Cookie Run India: Running Game” achieved the feat of winning both “Best Game of the Year” and “Casual Game of the Year.”
Korean games also made notable strides in the PC gaming sector. Kakao Games’ “Odin: Valhalla Rising” was named “PC Game of the Year” in the US, and NCSoft’s “Journey of Monarch” was named “PC Game of the Year” in Taiwan.
Shin Kyung-jun, Head of Partnerships at Google Play Korea, said, “2025 was a year in which AI evolved into agents that proactively assist users in their daily lives, and a multi-platform environment where the boundaries between PC and mobile were broken down became widespread. I am particularly proud that Korean developers are leading this global trend and achieving great results in overseas markets as well.”
The Future of Indie Games
The awards for Banji Games’ “Click Three Kingdoms” and “Dredge” prove that even small development teams with original ideas and passion can win the hearts of the public. In particular, Korean indie game developers are gaining recognition beyond Korea and into the global market, demonstrating the potential of K-indie games.
“Click Three Kingdoms” accurately captured the mobile game trend of simple controls and rapid growth, while “Dredge” pioneered a new genre by combining the common theme of fishing with cosmic horror. These two games share a common thread: respecting the player’s time and experience while offering a unique worldview and story.
Key trends in the gaming market in 2025
The most prominent trend in the gaming market this year was the expansion of multiplatform gaming. Games that broke down the barriers between PC and mobile, offering seamless cross-play experiences, were a strong performer. “Journey of Monarch,” which won the “Multi-Device Game of the Year,” reimagined the Lineage IP to provide a consistent experience across PC, tablet, and mobile. “Delta Force,” which won the “Competitive Game of the Year,” also received rave reviews for its large-scale battles that supported PC-mobile cross-play.
In conclusion
The 2025 Google Play Award winners once again highlight the importance of not only the perfection of a game, but also the sincerity and creativity of its developers. The journey of Banji Games, which began in a semi-basement studio, and the unique world of “Dredge,” created by independent studio Black Salt Games, demonstrate that even a game without a AAA title can captivate gamers.
I hope that in the future, more indie games will bring new experiences to gamers through their creative passion. I hope that small but strong, original, and authentic indie games will continue to shine in the global market.
Google Play Awards of the Year 2025: Full List
- Google Korea Blog: https://blog.google/intl/ko-kr/products/android-play-hardware/googleplay-best-of-2025/
Related Links
- Click Three Kingdoms (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.BanjihaGames.ThreeKingdoms
- Dredge (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.team17.dredge
