Wholesome indie games to make you feel a little bit warm and fuzzy. 🥰 Inspired by Wholesome Games.
“Immerse yourself in a relaxing, minimalist, and colorful exploration adventure. Flow with Naiad across a mysterious river and interact with its fauna and flora to discover little secrets. Enjoy a wholesome experience with an original and dreamy visual style.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5
Release: 2022
“A new track-bending puzzle game from the makers of Golf Peaks and inbento. Connect and sever railways across the world to help everyone reach their homes, and solve over 100 clever puzzles ranging from gentle slopes to twisted passageways.”
Platforms: PC, consoles, mobile
Release: 2022
“A choose-your-own-story multiplayer game (1-4 players online) inspired by Role-Playing Games. A whole campaign with friends, packed in 1-hour sessions!
“Gather your team, choose your characters and launch yourself on an epic adventure in the world of Gatherac. You play as a troupe of itinerant artists, caught up in the gargantuan task of entertaining a dragon. But each time you fail, the beast sends your heroes back in time, again and again!”
Platforms: PC & (maybe) consoles
Release: 2022
“A musical adventure game in which Snufkin needs to restore the harmony of Moominvalley, after a series of grotesque parks has appeared and ruined the valley’s natural balance. The game is an ambient and wholesome experience for both kids and adults, and combines open world-mechanics with puzzles, stealth and melodic elements.”
Platforms: Windows
Release: 2023
“A puzzle game where you will discover the fun side of Japanese onomatopoeia while managing a strange little shop. You play as Corto, the new part-timer, and your job is to find a match to the requests of the quirky clientele.
“Here’s the catch: they are looking for something that corresponds to a certain onomatopoeia! Look around the shop and play with all the items there, you will surely find something! And if you don’t know Japanese onomatopoeia don’t worry! Everyone in town will be happy to give you a hint.”
This is probably one of my favourite things that I found this year for how unique and quirky it is. You can see the full video from the asobu showcase (a lovely collection of indie games coming out in Japan).
Platforms: Windows
Release: 2022
“A coming-of-age tale of discovery through exploration across a strikingly rendered open world desert. Go on a deeply personal journey across an alien planet as the young Sable, exploring ancient monuments, ruined architecture, and ships fallen from the cosmos, all while learning the history of its inhabitants and discovering her place in the world.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Release: September 23, 2021
“A story-driven action adventure set in a charming world rich with exploration and fast-paced combat. Players find and grow a team of tiny spirit companions called the Rot, enhancing their abilities and creating new ways to manipulate the environment.”
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5
Release: September 21, 2021
A beautiful hand drawn narrative adventure that is centered around botany. Not too much info about it but keep an eye out for the Steam page and Kickstarter which should be going up soon. :-)
Platforms: TBA
Release: TBA
“A platform-adventure game featuring beautiful hand-painted art and a calm, relaxing atmosphere. The game tells the story about Hoa, a little girl who lost her family, and her journey through a breathtaking and magical world back to her homeland.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5
Release: August 24, 2021
“Swim, launch and bounce through this meditative floating platformer. A reactive soundscape creates the soundtrack to your exploration through the playful puzzles of Ynglet’s hand drawn levels.
“In Ynglet, you play as a jellyfish-like creature. It lives in a floating bubble with its friends. Unfortunately, a comet crashes into its home and the friends are launched across the world. Now, Ynglet has to travel the world to find its lost friends and help them back home.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Release: June 5, 2021