The video game industry in Colombia is experiencing significant growth, with successful franchises earning international acclaim. Here are the five most successful Colombian-made video games:
Five top video games made in Colombia
CrisTales
CrisTales is a video game developed by the Colombian studio Dreams Uncorporated in collaboration with SYCK. Released in 2021, it is a role-playing game inspired by classic genre titles. It combines hand-drawn art with a rich narrative and turn-based combat. One of the most distinctive features of CrisTales is its time manipulation mechanic, which allows players to see and alter the past, present, and future simultaneously.
Set in the vibrant and colorful world of Crystal Kingdoms, CrisTales follows the story of a young woman named Crisbell, who must become a time mage to prevent an apocalyptic future. The game has been praised for its impressive visual style and its influences from Colombian culture and architecture. On Metacritic, it received a score of 75/100 for the PC version, with HobbyConsolas lauding its “beautiful hand-drawn 2D style” and Nintendo Life appreciating its JRPG-inspired premise.
World War Doh
World War Doh is a real-time strategy game for mobile devices, developed by the Colombian studio Jam City and released in 2020. The game focuses on one-on-one multiplayer battles where players manage resources and troop cards in real time to defeat opponents in a humorous, apocalyptic world. The characters are designed in a style that mimics clay figures, giving the game a unique and distinctive visual flair.
Since its release, World War Doh has been praised for its dynamic gameplay and original art style. It has won awards, such as at the Google Play Indie Games Festival, recognized for its balance of strategy and humor and its ability to offer fast, competitive matches that attract a broad audience of players.
El Chavo Kart
El Chavo Kart is a racing game released in 2014, based on the popular Mexican TV show El Chavo del 8. Developed by the Colombian studio Efecto Studios in collaboration with Kaxan Games, the game is available on several platforms, including Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Players compete in races reminiscent of Mario Kart, choosing from iconic characters from the show, such as El Chavo, Quico, and Don Ramon, each with their own vehicles and special abilities. The show’s settings inspire the tracks, adding a nostalgic touch for fans. Since its release, El Chavo Kart has been well-received for its fidelity to the original material and accessible gameplay for all ages.
Astor: Blade of the Monolith
Astor: Blade of the Monolith is an action-adventure video game developed by C2 Game Studio. Players can explore the planet Gliese, home to the diokek, a race that lived in peace until malevolent creatures called hiltsik began wreaking havoc. Astor, a young diokek warrior, embarks on a mission to understand the disappearance of his ancestors and save his people while facing various enemies and uncovering the monolith’s secrets.
The game is recognized for its vibrant visual style and challenging gameplay, combining dynamic combat with exploration in a world full of mysteries. Astor: Blade of the Monolith has received praise for its attractive design and its ability to offer an immersive and captivating experience, with a rich narrative and detailed environment.
Poltergeist: A Pixelated Horror
Poltergeist: A Pixelated Horror is a horror video game developed by the Colombian studio Glitchy Pixel. In the game, players take on the role of Henry B. Knight, a ghost who cannot tolerate the presence of a new family in his old mansion and decides to scare them away from the afterlife. The game combines horror simulation elements with a spooky atmosphere and a retro pixelated visual style.
The game’s prototype won 40 million pesos in a Japanese Square Enix contest in 2012. Two years later, Poltergeist: A Pixelated Horror was released for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Steam. The title has been praised for its ability to deliver an immersive and terrifying experience, with a unique artistic design that pays homage to classic horror games.