PAX West 2025 Spotlight: Away from Home

Step into a world that only exists when you're present. Away From Home is a rhythm-based RPG wrapped in richly animated pixel art and moody, expressive character designs. At first glance it might feel cozy - but it quickly reveals a deeper, self-aware narrative inspired by games like Mother 3, Lisa the Painful, and Undertale, united with the timing demands of Rhythm Heaven. You control a character who doesn’t realize you’re manipulating their world, and the moment the game is closed, their reality vanishes. At PAX 2025, we had a chat with lead creator Cameron Smith-Randick to unpack how they married classic JRPG strategy with rhythm-based combat, crafting an open world filled with side quests, fluid cutscenes, and choices that ripple across each playthrough. This indie gem invites you not only to disrupt the peace of a colorful world but to question what it means to exist within it. Watch our full interview below to explore how Away From Home complicates the simple act of pressing start.