Every Game in the Wholesome Direct
Wholesome Direct 2023 just went live at noon today! This was my favorite direct yet. It included some long awaited games as well as new surprises. Some games are out now or have demos available, and I'll link those below.
Read along to learn more about all of games that were featured today and find links to play, purchase, or wishlist your favorites. I hope this helps you find some new cozy games to play. Honestly, I want most of these myself.
This post should be great for anyone who prefers to read, wants to pick and choose which trailers to spend time on, or wants more info. For those who are looking for the Wholesome Direct itself, there is a link to the full video at the end, as well as their official website and merch.
The direct started off strong with Mineko's Night Market! I have been looking forward to this one since it was first announced years ago. It's both adorable and a little mysterious. The release date did get pushed back, but by only a month.
Mineko’s Night Market is a narrative-driven, social simulation adventure game that celebrates Japanese culture and invites players to craft whimsical items, eat delicious snacks, and ultimately enjoy all the cats.
Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie, Simulation
Developer: Meowza Games
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, and PS5
Release Date: October 26th, 2023
Visit Mineko's Night Market's official web page here. Add it to your Steam Wishlist here.
Pekoe
The flavorful world of Pekoe is a cozy cat-filled tea-making simulator about taking the time for self-care and connecting with what makes you happy. Build relationships, upgrade your teahouse, and discover new recipes as you work towards creating a place you can call home.
Genre: Casual, Indie, Simulation, Early Access
Developer: Kitten Cup Studio
Platforms: PC
Release Date: June 28, 2023
Visit Pekoe's official web page here. Click here to join early access on Steam now!
Button City Soccer Days
Soccer mania has come to Button City! People all over town are forming teams to play in the new Open Soccer Tournament. Fennel the fox and his scrappy group of friends team up in this charming soccer adventure, with an engaging story and adorable action gameplay!
Genre: Adventure, Indie, Sports
Developer: Subliminal
Platforms: PC, consoles (unspecified)
Release Date: early 2024
See the official website here. Add it to your Steam wishlist here.
Frogsong - Out now!
Frogsong released today along with the Wholesome Direct! Drew supported their Kickstarter, so he's looking forward to receiving his Steam key later today.
Frogsong is a heartfelt adventure in a fantasy world of frogs! Talk to weird and wonderful characters, fight vicious bugs, and explore a vibrant world in this charming action RPG.
Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie, RPG
Developer: Frogteam Games
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: today!
See the official website here. Grab it on Steam here, or itch.io here.
Frogsong is currently 10% off on Steam. There is also a demo available here on itch.io
I Am A Caterpillar
Crawl up trees, leap between lily pads, and wriggle through underground caverns as you journey towards your destiny as a caterpillar. Today is the day of your transformation - and you will do anything to stop it.
Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie
Developer: DevFatigued
Platforms: PC
Release Date: not announced
Add it to your Steam wishlist here.
Bubblegum Galaxy - demo playable!
Bubblegum Galaxy is a cozy narrative building game about rebuilding the galaxy tile by tile. Discover and design new planets, complete missions, explore your office and befriend your co-workers... all while trying to find out who deleted the galaxy!
Genre: Casual, Indie, Simulation, Strategy
Developer: Smarto Club
Platforms: PC
Release Date: not announced
Download the demo on Steam here. There's also an open playtest on itch.io here.
Sticky Business - demo playable!
Experience the joy of running your own cozy small business: Create stickers, pack orders and hear your customers’ stories. Time to build the cutest shop on the internet!
Genre: Casual, Simulation
Developer: Spellgarden Games
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 2023
Find the demo on Steam here.
Moonstone Island
Moonstone Island is a creature-collecting life-sim set in an open world with 100+ islands to explore. Make friends, brew potions, collect Spirits, and test your strength in card-based encounters to complete your Alchemy training!
Genre: Adventure, Indie, RPG
Developer: Studio Supersoft
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: Q3 2023
Add it to your Steam wishlist here.
Station to Station - demo playable!
‘Station to Station’ is a minimalist & relaxing game about building railway connections. Grab your conductor’s hat and bring the voxel-art world to life through the magic of trains!
Genre: Casual, Indie, Simulation, Strategy
Developer: Galaxy Grove
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 2023
Add it to your Steam wishlist here.
The Palace on the Hill - free prologue out now
A slice-of-life adventure game set in 90s rural India. Explore ancient palace ruins, set up your garden, cook Indian food, run errands for quirky characters, and learn about your history by making art.
Genre: slice-of-life, adventure, farm sim
Developer: Niku Games
Platforms: PC
Release Date: not announced
Play the prologue on Steam here.
Usagi Shima
Take a rest in an island full of cute bunnies!
Usagi Shima is a relaxing, idle bunny collecting game.
Developer: pank0
Platforms: Android and iPhone
Release Date: September 1, 2023
Visit Usagi Shima's official website here. Pre-register on Google Play or the Apple App store.
Karma Zoo - multiplayer!
KarmaZoo is a joyful, altruistic, cooperative platformer where up to 10 random players help each other with the unique abilities of 50 different characters - all for the sake of good Karma.
Genre: Action game, Casual game
Developer: Pastagames
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Release Date: not announced
Add it to your Steam wishlist here.
Flutter Away
Enjoy the serenity of the Amazon rainforest in this cozy short nature exploration game. As a butterfly researcher on a five-day camping trip, explore nearby tracks, take photos, meet animal friends, and journal the discoveries found along the way!
Genre: Indie game, Casual game, Adventure
Developer: Runaway
Platforms: PC
Release Date: August 3, 2023
Visit the official website here. Add it to your Steam wishlist here.
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge
Foster a sanctuary for frogs and restore the biodiversity of the wetlands in Kamaeru, a cozy farming sim where you raise frogs by playing mini-games and decorating your habitat. Hop right to it!
Genre: casual, simulation
Developer: Humble Reeds
Platforms:
Release Date: tbd
Find Kamaeru on twitter here and add it to your Steam wishlist here.
Baladins - demo playable!
Embark on a whimsical journey and bring joy to a bright fantasy world in this roleplaying adventure for 1-4 players, featuring approachable hour-long sessions!
Genre: adventure, RPG
Developer: Seed by Seed
Platforms: PC, consoles
Release Date: early 2024
Download the demo and add it to your Steam wishlist here.
A Little to the Left DLC was announced as well!
Henry Halfhead
Meet Henry, merely half a head, but with the peculiar ability to possess and control any object within their reach. Discover every object's unique properties and abilities and cleverly combine them to progress through Henry’s not-so-ordinary everyday life.
Genre: action, adventure, casual, indie
Developer: Lululu Entertainment
Platforms: PC, additional platforms to be announced
Release Date: to be announced
Add it to your Steam wishlist here.
Gourdlets - demo available!
Gourdlets is a city-building sandbox. Place buildings and scenery, and then watch visiting gourdlets arrive and interact with the world. No objectives, no points, just building.
Genre: Indie game, Simulation video game, Casual game
Developer: AuntyGames
Platforms: PC
Release Date: not yet announced
Official website here. Download the demo on Steam here.
Actually I am going to need a part two! I've run out of time for today. Here are the promised links to the Wholesome Direct itself and their merch. Proceeds from their merch sales go to Ablegamers, who improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through gaming.
Wholesome Games is awesome for making a showcase of cozy games like this. It's truly wonderful for gamers and developers alike. I hope my little post helps a bit too. I'd love to say more wonderful things about Wholesome Games, but I get to go help a kid celebrate his Kindergarten graduation now! It's been a very wholesome day.
Comment your favorite games from the direct, and let me know what you'd like to see in the next post! I'll link part two here soon. (Hopefully Monday)
-Lauren