Cats, cooking, seaside towns, pretty landscapes, magical girls - Wholesome Direct has it all.
There were a lot of great games this year.
For now though, have a pleasant scroll through which wholesome games we have our eyes on.
I just cant get over how good this looks.
A relaxing take on railway management games, Station To Stations blocky voxel presentation is absolutely to die for.
Well,Sticky Businessis my fantasy brought to life.
There are also light story elements too, like hearing about the lives of your customers.
Very keen on this one, folks.
And, of course, there’s a display of the all-important ability to recolour and decorate your caravan.
I Am A Caterpillar
Rachel: More games about bugs c’mon!
Turns out this caterpillar is having a bit of an identity crisis.
Now that’s a cool idea.
I can’t wait to poke and prod my giant blue finger around this physics-driven toybox.
No release date on that one unfortunately but let’s hope it’s soon.
Kibu
Liam: Oh,Kibu.
Your solemn red panda protagonist has stolen my heart.
If games are intended to fulfil a personal fantasy, I think Kibu has been made just for me.
This critter is living the life I crave, one of uncompromised peace and total solitude.
Fishing in azure coloured streams.
Running free through dense, golden grass.
Give me this game immediately.
It’s like the silliness ofWattammeets theStanley Parable’s narrator, only they’re super nice and comforting.
It’s bizarre, funny, and incredibly charming, and I can’t wait to play it.
A Highland Song
Liam: OfcourseA Highland Songis a rhythm game.
What a brilliant idea!
Ive never thought about it, but hiking, fundamentally, is a rhythmic activity.
One crunching step in front of another.
The gentle crinkle of your backpack as you trod along the dirt and stone and grass.
Your breath, steady but even.
The bubbling of a stream.
The wind rustling through the undergrowth.
And you, as you venture through its soundscape, are but one instrument within a larger orchestra.
A hiking rhythm game with narrative and survival elements.
What a glorious, inspired idea.
Venba
Rachel:Venbafinally a release date, and it’s July 31st!
That’s not that far away and we’re all very excited to finally play this gorgeous foody game.
I can practically smell the spices through my screen.
Bubblegum Galaxy
Liam: Like Katharine, I am a bigDorfromantikliker.
I mean why not, right?
Dorfromantik with a whacky framing machine.
Whats not to like?
It looks super colourful, queer af, and a generally great time.
Everdeep Aurora
Rachel:Everdeep Auroraimmediately caught my attention during the showcase.
I like the idea of exploring a gothic world without a bunch of horrible monsters out to kill me.
A nice wistful refresher in a sea of sugary pastels.
Go-Go Town!
Liam: I think MySims - the Nintendo Wii spin-off of EAs mega life-sim franchise - is underrated.
It probably sold, like, four million copies but still.
It had a specific vibe that I havent seen replicated anywhere else.
UntilGo-Go Town!, that is.
The next game by Prideful Sloth, Go-Go Town!
Is a life-sim with big MySims energy.
you might even hire staff members to run your various shops and cafes, which is a nifty addition.
Do I want to eat the characters of Go-Go Town?
I guess Ill find out when it launches at some point (hopefully) soon.
NotE3 and Summer Game Fest 2023 is over for another year.
