Lagim is a Filipino-themed collectible card game that draws inspiration from Filipino fiction and mythological creatures. The game features character cards depicting Philippine mythical monsters and creatures, with character categories presented in both Filipino and Baybayin, an indigenous Philippine script. The design emphasizes the game’s unique Filipino aspect through ethnic symbolism and imagery from local folklore. The dark and mysterious color scheme, along with the incorporation of elements like the phases of the moon, gives the game a modern yet authentically Filipino look.

Lagim, which means “dread,” “terror,” or “gloom” in Filipino, offers a unique gaming experience with a strong connection to Filipino culture and mythology.

Lagim card collection

The craftsmanship of the designers shine through one of its physical objects of the game. The Soul and Dark Soul Coins, thick and heavy octagrams, feel like the weight of true ancient coins and are respectively in silver and bronze. The carved design is very intricate. It reads Lagim on one side, and depicts a tormented soul on the other. The Baybayin on the sides read “Lagim.”

The octagon coin is the Dark Soul coin. It has the Lagim logo on this side, and the Baybayin text around it reads “Maghasik ng Lagim”, which is a phrase used to mean “to spread terror.” 

 The A2 Design Lab team behind Lagim, also know as Fictionminds, wanted to have the whole game to be a series of art pieces, like a functional art piece where players, collectors, and hobbyists can appreciate the craftsmanship.  The main objective is simple and inspiring – “To bridge the gap between generations through curiosity and storytelling”.