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Isakaba

@isakaba.com.bsky.social

The best game reviews platform focused on highlighting titles from emerging markets. Isakaba.com

12 Followers  |  13 Following  |  26 Posts  |  Joined: 22.11.2024  |  1.6035

Latest posts by isakaba.com on Bluesky

Preview
Mad Hook becomes first Arabic studio to release physical PS5 games Proud moment for the region

www.isakaba.com/mad-hook-bec...

10.10.2025 08:52 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Arab Youth Hackathon returns for its second edition The hackathon will accept registrations until October 12th, 2025

The program aims to train and empower 50 young Arabs to lead the e-gaming sector, strengthen the regional games ecosystem, build industry connections, and produce five games that reflect Arab culture and identity under the theme β€œArab Identity."

www.isakaba.com/arab-youth-h...

07.10.2025 11:59 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Maliyo Games’ Safari City surpasses 100,000 downloads The game blends property development and Match-3 puzzle mechanics

The game follows Kewa, a young architect determined to fulfil her grandfather’s dream of building a modern city.

www.isakaba.com/safari-city-...

07.10.2025 11:58 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Gamathon 2025 set to take place in Nigeria Bringing it home

The event will feature showcases, talks, studio tours, and stakeholder engagements to drive Africa’s creative industries

www.isakaba.com/gamathon-202...

23.09.2025 17:42 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Chaotic delivery game Tossdown to participate in Gamathon 25 Attendees can get their hands on the retro-inspired title

Inspired by Dreamcast-era classics, Tossdown has players delivering packages while dodging deadly hazards!

www.isakaba.com/tossdown-to-...

23.09.2025 17:41 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Atmospheric maze adventure Go North gets PC demo and launch window Embark on a quest to earn a single wish from the Maze God

In Go North, players guide Dara on a quest for a single wish from the Maze God, navigating labyrinths where the exit always lies north, across forests, corridors, and sky islands woven into immersive maze designs.

www.isakaba.com/go-north-get...

17.09.2025 11:01 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Azooma Escape Review: A comedic stealth adventure weighed down by tedious tasks Can you put up with the family gathering?

β€œAzooma Escape works because it turns the chaos of family gatherings into something we can all relate to - the urge to sneak away."

See our review: www.isakaba.com/azooma-escap...

03.09.2025 13:32 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Middle East wants to build the future of games - and it just might For the kingdom, games are no longer just a passing interest

With vast financial resources, visionary strategies, and a willingness to bet big on games, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are building an ecosystem that could reshape the industry.

www.isakaba.com/the-middle-e...

20.08.2025 17:22 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Steer Studios on the making of Grunt Rush "There were a few features we loved but had to gently tuck back into the idea vault."

β€œThere were moments it felt like we were building a plane in mid-flight, only without the manual and someone insisting, β€˜Trust the process!’ But honestly, that chaos was part of the magic."

We spoke to Steer Studios on the making of Grunt Rush.

www.isakaba.com/steer-studio...

02.06.2025 16:37 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Starvania Studio on the making of Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree "Jumping out of water was one of the concepts we had to let go of."

β€œWe are exploring the possibility of DLC to offer a different perspective on the story and potentially integrate some concepts that didn't make it into the initial release."

www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...

22.05.2025 17:39 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree Review: Can you draw circles? Light and Shadow collide.

β€œBahamut and the Waqwaq Tree is a brilliant underwater adventure with challenging puzzles and innovative gameplay mechanics that will often test your patience..."

See our review: www.isakaba.com/bahamut-and-...

18.05.2025 23:22 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Takeaways from Gamathon Kenya 2025: Local devs inspire, XR gains momentum, but funding paths still unclear The event highlighted the games industry in Africa through insightful panel sessions.

Gamathon Kenya 2025, which took place from April 29th to May 2nd has concluded. The event included studio tours, industry dinner, spatial computing sessions and a main industry day.

See our breakdown of what transpired: www.isakaba.com/takeaways-fr...

18.05.2025 14:22 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Tossdown Preview: Parcels, parkour, projectiles An entertaining and unhinged spin on delivery work.

β€œThis is a game that can sell itself on gameplay aloneβ€”as every good roguelike should. However, the game's strong fundamentals are held back by a lack of clarity, perks, and power-ups."

See our preview of TossDown:

www.isakaba.com/tossdown-pre...

16.05.2025 06:53 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Precinct Review: A sandbox cop game that shines in patrols but stalls in story The game follows Nick Cordell Jr., a rookie police officer in Averno City.

See our review of The Precinct

www.isakaba.com/the-precinct...

13.05.2025 13:12 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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MENA Game Industry Awards 2025 winners revealed Tamatem's Land of Heroes clinched the Game of the Year award

Winners were chosen after an extensive nomination and voting process by industry representatives.

www.isakaba.com/mena-game-in...

09.05.2025 15:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Middle East is obsessed with hosting it all The region is pushing to become the Mecca of games

In the MENA region, games and esports are no longer just a passing interest, they are viewed as vital pillars towards building an economic and cultural future.

www.isakaba.com/the-middle-e...

26.04.2025 16:48 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Making of Amer: Fighting "Creating a fighting game was one of the main ideas we wanted to execute when we started the company."

We spoke to the Mad Hook Games' CEO Hazim Al-Hanball to discuss the making of the team's latest game and peeked at some cool behind-the-scene shots of the development team at work.

www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...

14.04.2025 06:34 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Isakaba has written a review of Meadowfell, my first one😸 it's an encouraging review, and I am really thrilled they took the time to write and share this.

21.03.2025 12:34 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

This is amazing, it's very encouraging and the critique is helpful. And it's the first review of Meadowfell so I am very excited about that. Thank you so much for taking the time to play my game and to support me. I really appreciate it.

21.03.2025 12:33 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Meadowfell Review - An open-world beauty where you wander without purpose When the game visuals hit, they hit harder than a Soulslike boss...

β€œBeyond interactivity, another aspect that the developer handled well is the artwork and environment. When the game visuals hit, they hit harder than a Soulslike boss."

See our review of Meadowfall from developer @protopop.bsky.social

www.isakaba.com/meadowfell-r...

21.03.2025 09:52 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
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Amer: Fighting Review: A visually striking beat β€˜em up with weak solo play This one is best enjoyed with friends.

β€œAmer: Fighting is a solid entry into the beat β€˜em up genre, particularly for those looking to team up for some chaotic multiplayer action."

Full review: www.isakaba.com/amer-fightin...

17.03.2025 09:29 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty Review - A good read, but a good game? Read any good games lately?

β€œIt's like playing an epic adventure game like Avowed if you cut out the movement and combat, and it was just cutscenes and an occasional dialog choice."

See our review of The Hungry Lamb for Nintendo Switch:

www.isakaba.com/the-hungry-l...

13.03.2025 13:28 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The making of Meadowfell "All my games are about the joy of exploring natural worlds."

β€œVisualizing the finished game helps me push through, along with positive player feedback, which is huge for motivation. And when it gets too much, I take a break, go for a hike, or bike it out."

We caught up with @protopop.bsky.social to discuss Meadowfell.

www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...

10.03.2025 08:53 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The making of Silly Suspects "Our game has AI-driven generation which can create over three trillion distinctive characters."

β€œWhat makes Silly Suspects unique is its AI-driven generation which can create over three trillion distinctive characters, each with unique backstories, motives, and personalities.."

Full story: www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...

#Games #MENA #AI

24.02.2025 20:43 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Safari City Review - A fairly typical match-3 game that stands out Prepare to renovate some rundown homes!

See our review of Safari City from Maliyo Games:

www.isakaba.com/safari-city-...

27.01.2025 09:43 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Rasta Santa Review: A fun game with tolerable flaws β€œWerey Father Christmas"

See our review of Rasta Santa from Deluxe Creation Studios

www.isakaba.com/rasta-santa-...

20.01.2025 16:07 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The games industry needs Africa's untold stories now more than ever - but it can't have them yet In time, these stories will no longer stay untold.

Why aren't African myths and heroes featured in video games? For a continent with a rich tapestry of folklore, gods, and legendary heroes, the absence of more African stories in the gaming world is glaring.

16.01.2025 08:26 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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IwΓ‘jΓΊ: Rising Chef Review - Vibrant dishes, dull characters β€œEvery meal you prepare is a work of art.”

See our review of IwΓ‘jΓΊ: Rising Chef mobile game

23.11.2024 11:52 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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