Seven African games from Lagos Games Week 2025

Lagos Games Week 2025 had a healthy mix of PC and mobile projects, and although many are still in early development, they're brimming with potential. 

A few titles stood out for their creativity, cultural grounding, or sheer ambition, even if some notable studios were missing from the show floor.

If you missed it, here’s a roundup of the games we spotted at the event, each one showing off the growing diversity of the region’s talent.

1. Queen of Idia 

Developed by Ethiopia-based Elder Studios, this is a third-person action-adventure that lets you play as the legendary Queen Mother of the Benin Kingdom, a figure of strength and strategy.

You’ll navigate enemy troops, solve puzzles, and overcome obstacles as you fight to rescue your son - a mix of storytelling and gameplay that earned it awards even before its Lagos Games Week spotlight.

Queen of Idia is available on PC here. 

2. Go North 

Go North bills itself as the first immersive maze adventure, and it looks set to live up to the promise. Developed by Nigerian-based indie developer Tade Ajiboye (Gazuntype), Go North lets players guide Dara through atmospheric labyrinths in search of the Maze God, who can grant one wish. 

The game offers both solo exploration and online multiplayer, where players compete across platforms. With hoverboards, robot mice, and other quirky tools, Go North felt like a creative spin on puzzle adventures.

Wishlist Go North on Steam. 

3. The InBetween 

For those craving emotional depth, The InBetween might just deliver. This hand-drawn metroidvania puts you in the role of Pipit, a young boy navigating an underground world plagued by infection. The twist: your choices shape the story and lead to multiple endings.

This is also being developed by Nigerian-based developer VCD. The game mixes fast-paced gunplay with Undertale-style turn-based encounters. Will you be the Hero? The Villain? Or somewhere InBetween?

Wishlist The InBetween on Steam. 

4. Beyond Service 

Developed by Goondu Interactive, Beyond Service stood out for its ambition: a souls-like action-adventure deeply rooted in African mythology. Its boss fights are brutal and strategic. 

From terrain textures to sound design, this Nigerian-based team built a world that feels both authentic and fantastical. The visuals, especially, promise to immerse players in an otherworldly but familiar space.

Learn more about Beyond Service here. 

5. Building Artefacts 

Not every game at Lagos Games Week was about combat or exploration. Wubit Studio’s Building Artefacts is an AR puzzle experience designed to bring heritage to life. 

Players get to assemble an ancient wooden artefact piece by piece, connecting them to the story of how villagers once built central posts in their communities. It’s simple, fun, and educational - bridging past and present, while digitising history for future generations. 

Building Artefacts is available on PC here. 

6. Cradle 

Developed by Dream Team, Cradle blends mixed reality with escape room mechanics. Using holographic artefacts in real space, players solve puzzles against a 15-minute timer, piecing together clues from shadow alignments. 

One of the things that makes this one stand out is how the real environment reacts as you play, making the puzzle-solving feel immersive and tactile. It’s one of those games that feels experimental but exciting. 

Cradle is available on PC here.

7. Safari City 

Maliyo brought something lighter with Safari City, a match-3 renovation game where you restore neglected African properties. Solve colourful puzzles, earn boosters, and unlock new décor and design choices to bring homes back to life.

As you progress, the game introduces story-driven episodes filled with vibrant characters. It’s casual, creative, and accessible -  a perfect example of regional storytelling wrapped in a global-friendly genre.

We've previously written about Safari City in our review, and you can check out the game on the App Store and Google Play.

These titles showcase the growing diversity of African game development - from AR heritage projects to AAA-inspired action-adventures. Some were rough around the edges, but showed real promise for a worthwhile end product.