Isakaba
@isakaba.com
The best game reviews platform focused on highlighting titles from emerging markets.
Isakaba.com
Isakaba.com
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 “Arab Identity."
www.isakaba.com/arab-youth-h...
www.isakaba.com/arab-youth-h...
The Arab Youth Hackathon returns for its second edition
The hackathon will accept registrations until October 12th, 2025
www.isakaba.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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 “Arab Identity."
www.isakaba.com/arab-youth-h...
www.isakaba.com/arab-youth-h...
The game follows Kewa, a young architect determined to fulfil her grandfather’s dream of building a modern city.
www.isakaba.com/safari-city-...
www.isakaba.com/safari-city-...
Maliyo Games’ Safari City surpasses 100,000 downloads
The game blends property development and Match-3 puzzle mechanics
www.isakaba.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The game follows Kewa, a young architect determined to fulfil her grandfather’s dream of building a modern city.
www.isakaba.com/safari-city-...
www.isakaba.com/safari-city-...
The event will feature showcases, talks, studio tours, and stakeholder engagements to drive Africa’s creative industries
www.isakaba.com/gamathon-202...
www.isakaba.com/gamathon-202...
Gamathon 2025 set to take place in Nigeria
Bringing it home
www.isakaba.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The event will feature showcases, talks, studio tours, and stakeholder engagements to drive Africa’s creative industries
www.isakaba.com/gamathon-202...
www.isakaba.com/gamathon-202...
Inspired by Dreamcast-era classics, Tossdown has players delivering packages while dodging deadly hazards!
www.isakaba.com/tossdown-to-...
www.isakaba.com/tossdown-to-...
Chaotic delivery game Tossdown to participate in Gamathon 25
Attendees can get their hands on the retro-inspired title
www.isakaba.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Inspired by Dreamcast-era classics, Tossdown has players delivering packages while dodging deadly hazards!
www.isakaba.com/tossdown-to-...
www.isakaba.com/tossdown-to-...
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...
www.isakaba.com/go-north-get...
Atmospheric maze adventure Go North gets PC demo and launch window
Embark on a quest to earn a single wish from the Maze God
www.isakaba.com
September 17, 2025 at 11:01 AM
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...
www.isakaba.com/go-north-get...
“Azooma 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...
See our review: www.isakaba.com/azooma-escap...
Azooma Escape Review: A comedic stealth adventure weighed down by tedious tasks
Can you put up with the family gathering?
www.isakaba.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
“Azooma 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...
See our review: www.isakaba.com/azooma-escap...
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...
www.isakaba.com/the-middle-e...
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
www.isakaba.com
August 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
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...
www.isakaba.com/the-middle-e...
“There were moments it felt like we were building a plane in mid-flight, only without the manual and someone insisting, ‘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...
We spoke to Steer Studios on the making of Grunt Rush.
www.isakaba.com/steer-studio...
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."
www.isakaba.com
June 2, 2025 at 4:37 PM
“There were moments it felt like we were building a plane in mid-flight, only without the manual and someone insisting, ‘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...
We spoke to Steer Studios on the making of Grunt Rush.
www.isakaba.com/steer-studio...
“We 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...
www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...
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."
www.isakaba.com
May 22, 2025 at 5:39 PM
“We 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...
www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...
“Bahamut 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-...
See our review: www.isakaba.com/bahamut-and-...
Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree Review: Can you draw circles?
Light and Shadow collide.
www.isakaba.com
May 18, 2025 at 11:22 PM
“Bahamut 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-...
See our review: www.isakaba.com/bahamut-and-...
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...
See our breakdown of what transpired: www.isakaba.com/takeaways-fr...
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.
www.isakaba.com
May 18, 2025 at 2:22 PM
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...
See our breakdown of what transpired: www.isakaba.com/takeaways-fr...
“This is a game that can sell itself on gameplay alone—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...
See our preview of TossDown:
www.isakaba.com/tossdown-pre...
Tossdown Preview: Parcels, parkour, projectiles
An entertaining and unhinged spin on delivery work.
www.isakaba.com
May 16, 2025 at 6:53 AM
“This is a game that can sell itself on gameplay alone—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...
See our preview of TossDown:
www.isakaba.com/tossdown-pre...
Winners were chosen after an extensive nomination and voting process by industry representatives.
www.isakaba.com/mena-game-in...
www.isakaba.com/mena-game-in...
MENA Game Industry Awards 2025 winners revealed
Tamatem's Land of Heroes clinched the Game of the Year award
www.isakaba.com
May 9, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Winners were chosen after an extensive nomination and voting process by industry representatives.
www.isakaba.com/mena-game-in...
www.isakaba.com/mena-game-in...
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...
www.isakaba.com/the-middle-e...
The Middle East is obsessed with hosting it all
The region is pushing to become the Mecca of games
www.isakaba.com
April 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
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...
www.isakaba.com/the-middle-e...
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...
www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...
The Making of Amer: Fighting
"Creating a fighting game was one of the main ideas we wanted to execute when we started the company."
www.isakaba.com
April 14, 2025 at 6:34 AM
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...
www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...
Reposted by Isakaba
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.
“Beyond 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...
See our review of Meadowfall from developer @protopop.bsky.social
www.isakaba.com/meadowfell-r...
Meadowfell Review - An open-world beauty where you wander without purpose
When the game visuals hit, they hit harder than a Soulslike boss...
www.isakaba.com
March 21, 2025 at 12:34 PM
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.
Reposted by Isakaba
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.
March 21, 2025 at 12:33 PM
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.
“Beyond 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...
See our review of Meadowfall from developer @protopop.bsky.social
www.isakaba.com/meadowfell-r...
Meadowfell Review - An open-world beauty where you wander without purpose
When the game visuals hit, they hit harder than a Soulslike boss...
www.isakaba.com
March 21, 2025 at 9:52 AM
“Beyond 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...
See our review of Meadowfall from developer @protopop.bsky.social
www.isakaba.com/meadowfell-r...
“Amer: Fighting is a solid entry into the beat ‘em up genre, particularly for those looking to team up for some chaotic multiplayer action."
Full review: www.isakaba.com/amer-fightin...
Full review: www.isakaba.com/amer-fightin...
Amer: Fighting Review: A visually striking beat ‘em up with weak solo play
This one is best enjoyed with friends.
www.isakaba.com
March 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM
“Amer: Fighting is a solid entry into the beat ‘em up genre, particularly for those looking to team up for some chaotic multiplayer action."
Full review: www.isakaba.com/amer-fightin...
Full review: www.isakaba.com/amer-fightin...
“It'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...
See our review of The Hungry Lamb for Nintendo Switch:
www.isakaba.com/the-hungry-l...
The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty Review - A good read, but a good game?
Read any good games lately?
www.isakaba.com
March 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
“It'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...
See our review of The Hungry Lamb for Nintendo Switch:
www.isakaba.com/the-hungry-l...
“Visualizing 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...
We caught up with @protopop.bsky.social to discuss Meadowfell.
www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...
The making of Meadowfell
"All my games are about the joy of exploring natural worlds."
www.isakaba.com
March 10, 2025 at 8:53 AM
“Visualizing 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...
We caught up with @protopop.bsky.social to discuss Meadowfell.
www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...
“What 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
Full story: www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...
#Games #MENA #AI
The making of Silly Suspects
"Our game has AI-driven generation which can create over three trillion distinctive characters."
www.isakaba.com
February 24, 2025 at 8:43 PM
“What 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
Full story: www.isakaba.com/the-making-o...
#Games #MENA #AI
