The Wholesome Direct is always one of the most refreshing and heartwarming showcases of the season. Centering around cozy indie games that focus on the joys of exploring nature, bonding with pets, or simply curling up under a blanket with a cup of tea, the Wholesome Direct is an absolute must-watch for anyone who’s experiencing stress or distress in their daily life. There were over 80 wholesome games shown off during this year’s Direct, so it was hard for GameLuster to choose just five – but here are a couple that will be sure to bring a smile to your face!
A Little To The Left DLC Offers Even More Satisfying Puzzles
The highly reviewed cozy game A Little to the Left centers around organizing life’s little messes. Extremely satisfying – and far less sweat-inducing than actual cleaning – A Little to the Left is now offering even more puzzle-filled levels in the form of the Cupboards and Drawers DLC. As the name suggests, this DLC focuses around organizing drawers, finding hidden compartments, doors, and other secrets as you do. This DLC launches on June 27, 2023 for PC and Nintendo Switch.
Snufkin Brings The Magic Of Moomins To Consoles
For decades, the magical Moomins franchise has captivated audiences in the form of books, cartoons, films, and more. Now, however, the harmony of Moominvalley has been destroyed, and it’s up to the wanderer Snufkin to save it! Returning to Moominvalley after a long time away, Snufkin must find his friend Moomintroll and explore the valley through a mix of stealth, music, and puzzle-based gameplay. Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is planned for a PC and console release, likely in 2024.
Fields Of Mistria Is A Magical Twist On The Farming Simulator
There’s nothing more cozy than a farming game – but how about one with a little bit of magic to it! In Fields of Mistria, you move to a magic-filled world with the goal of building the farm of your dreams. Along the way, you’ll plant crops, raise adorable animals, learn more about Mistria’s secrets, and perhaps even fall in love with one of twelve romance candidates. Currently, Fields of Mistria does not have an official release date, but it is planned to debut for PC via Steam.
Townseek Pays Tribute To Other Indie Titles
Drawing from classic adventure stories, Townseek tells the story of an intrepid explorer looking for their hero’s lost legacy. It includes a variety of mechanics such as trade between towns, and fishing, mining, and farming to gather resources to trade. One of the most unique mechanics is the Companion, a bonus-providing traveling buddy. Selectable Companions include The Lamb from Cult of the Lamb, Claire from A Short Hike, and many more! It’s a great way to discover a new indie game while also reminiscing on already-released ones you love.
Little Nemo Dreams Of Adventure
Diesoft Games’ Little Nemo and the Guardians of Slumberland brings the iconic character to life in a brand-new way. As the titular Little Nemo, you’ll explore a magical and mysterious world spawned from your dreams. There are dozens of worlds to explore and characters to meet as Nemo travels using powers bestowed by his favorite toys. You might even encounter a monster – but don’t worry! If Little Nemo is in too much danger, he can just wake up back in his bedroom again! This game is planned for a Q4 2023 release for both Nintendo Switch and PC.
These five games were just a slice of the tasty treat that was this year’s Wholesome Direct. There are so many more that we wish we could have mentioned. Kamaeru sees you running a refuge for frogs, while Lakeburg Legacies lets you matchmake your friends and neighbors and help them find true love. There’s farming games – Story of Seasons: It’s a Wonderful Life, Wylde Flowers – business-running games – Mineko’s Night Market, Pekoe – and so, so much more!
What was your favorite announcement from the 2023 Wholesome Direct? Comment below and let us know!
