Wholesome Direct 2024: the cutest games

Despite its cozy appearance, Wholesome Direct 2024 is shaping up to be the busiest event of the Summer Game Fest. The hour-long presentation included more than 70 different games. Some were new announcements, some were previously known games that got a new trailer or release date, and a handful of titles were even released during the event.

Now, 70 is a big number, so to help, I've selected the games that caught my attention the most. You can also see the full presentation. right here to soak up every detail. Even better: many of the games have demos on Steam that you can check out. Anyway, here are my picks, in no particular order.

Kamaeru looks like a more interactive version Neko Atsume, only with frogs instead of cats and a beautiful painterly art style. The goal is not only to build a sanctuary to breed these frogs but also to restore their wetland habitat. Best of all: it comes out today.

This is what would happen if you shredded animal crossing with picros. The game involves solving nonograms, which then create items (cheese, naturally) that you can use to decorate a cozy home. It also seems to be packed with mouse puns.

Vocation stardew valley fans. Discounted It seems to have an equally charming atmosphere, just with less farming and more business. Instead of building a farm, you're tasked with running a grocery store in a small town, which naturally means getting deeply involved in the community.

A side-scrolling platformer that looks a bit like Super Mario Bros.2, if only it were covered in Japanese folklore and mythology. It also comes from the same developer behind the strange political platformer. Super world Bernie.

Moonstone Island is now available on PC, but its combination of life simulation and creature collection seems perfect for Switch. There's a lot going on in this game: farming, potion-making, card-based battles, and spirits to tame. Additionally, you can ride a broomstick.

The end of the world is usually dark and frightening, but Sand Witch Caravan takes things in a slightly healthier direction. It's an exploration game about adventures through a wasteland in your trusty truck, and it has no combat or death, so you can drive at your own pace.

This looks most charming. Where's Waldo?-style game from hidden people. But although that was a black and white world, Lost and Found Company. It is full of color. It even has a cute little dragon.

From creators of coffee talk, After Love EP It's described as “a colorful genre mixtape” that's part dating sim, part rhythm game, and part story-driven adventure. Whatever it is, it looks and sounds great, with hand-drawn art by Soyatu and an Indonesian pop-rock soundtrack by L'alphalpha.