Are you ready for an hour of adorableness?! The Wholesome Direct is what I look forward to most every year. This time around, it features nearly 80 cozy and uplifting indie games. There’s so many goodies that it’s difficult to narrow down the highlights! But I’ll try, as well as include a list of all the games features and the entire showcase (which everyone should watch in its entirety). There was a five-minute pre-show in addition to the actual show; I’ve included those games.

Game highlights

Pekoe

Pekoe is set in a town of the same name. It’s a place full of teahouses and cats. In the game, players manage their own teahouse and create their own space. It’s about taking time for self-care and connecting with what makes you happy. Build relationships, upgrade your teahouse, and discover new recipes.Pekoe was originally announced at the very first Wholesome Direct. Pekoe will be launching for PC later this month.

Bubblegum Galaxy

Bubblegum Galaxy is a cost narrative building game about designing planets to rebuild the whole galaxy. Chill our and design away, or spend hours trying to perfect your score. To design planets, use an in-game computer that allows you to place tiles. The software will recommend missions. Each planet has its own quirks and rules. If you successfully rebuild the whole galaxy, you may just learn why it was deleted to begin with. Bubblegum Galaxy will be released for PC.

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge

Kamaeru: A Frog Refugse is set in the wetland of Kamaeru. Players have to foster a sanctuary for frogs to restore the land’s biodiversity. The game is best described as a cozy farming sim where players raise frogs by playing mini-games and decorating the habitat. Photograph and breed frogs, and plant native crops. There are over 1000 frogs in the game! Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge will be released for PC.

Baladins

What’s interesting about Baladins is that it features “approachable” one-hour sessions, so you’re not tied down for hours at a time. In this roleplaying adventure game, players will embark on a whimsical journey. Baladins are people who help anyone in need and bring surprises wherever travel takes them. The collective choices of the player(s) help shape the fate of the world. Baladins will be released for PC in early 2024.

Magical Delicacy

I never thought a cooking game would mash up with a Metroidvania, yet that’s Magical Delicacy. It’s about delivering tasty treats to the townsfolk in a harbour town. Choose a recipe based on what the customer wants, find ingredients for it, then cook it all up. I’m not usually into anything with platforming, but I’m definitely keeping my eye on this game. Magical Delicacy will be released for PC, Xbox Series, and Xbox One.

Tiny Bookshop

Players will leave it all behind to open a tiny bookshop by the sea in Tiny Bookshop, a narrative management game. Stock the shop with lots of different books and items, set up in scenic locations, and run the second-hand store while getting to know all the locals. Players must collect books and decorations before stocking or decorating with them. Tiny Bookshop will be released for PC.

Fields of Mistria

I do love a good farming sim, and Fields of Mistria has gotten my hopes up. Build the farm of your dreams while becoming part of a community and uncovering the area’s secrets. Restore the town to its former glory. Find love with one of 12 marriage candidates. Gather resources for cooking and crafting. And personalize your farm with adorable animals. Fields of Mistria will be released for PC in 2024.

The full list of games

• Mineko’s Night Market (launching September 26 for PC, Nintendo Switch; October 26 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One)
• Pekoe (launching later this month for PC)
• Spirit Swap (PC)
• Button City: Soccer Days (PC, consoles)
• Frogsong (available now for PC)
• I Am a Caterpillar (PC)
• Bubblegum Galaxy (PC)
• Sticky Business (launching later this year for PC)
• Moonstone Island (PC)
• Station to Station (PC)
• The Palace on the Hill August (iOS/Android, PC)
• Usagi Shima (launching September 1 for iOS/Android)
• KarmaZoo (PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series)
• Flutter Away (launching August 3 for PC, Nintendo Switch)
• Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge (PC)
• Baladins (launching in early 2024 for PC)
• A Little to the Left: Cupboards and Drawers DLC (launching June 26)
• Henry Halfhead (PC)
• Gourdlets (PC)
• Lakeburg Legacies (launching July 20 for PC)
• Loftia (PC)
• Beastieball (PC)
• Smushi Come Home (available now for PC, Nintendo Switch)
• Venba (launching July 31 for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, Xbox One)
• Little Nemo and the Guardians of Slumberland (PC, Nintendo Switch)
• Garden Witch Life (PC)
• Orange Season (PC)
• Surmount (PC)
• Grimoire Groves (PC)
• Garden Buddies this summer (PC, Nintendo Switch)
• A Tiny Sticker Tale (PC, Nintendo Switch)
• Everdeep Aurora (PC, Nintendo Switch)
• Kibu (PC)
• Magical Delicacy (PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One)
• Little Friends: Puppy Island (launching on June 27 for PC, Nintendo Switch)
• The Guardian of Nature (PC)
• Townseek (launching in early 2024 for PC)
• Feed All Monsters (launching on June 22 for PC)
• Minata’s Kitchen (launching October 23 for PC)
• Unpacking (launching later this year for iOS/Android)
• Botany Manor (PC)
• Solarpunk (PC)
• While the Iron’s Hot (launching in late 2023 for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, Xbox One)
• Wylde Flowers (available now for Apple Arcade, PC, Nintendo Switch)
• A Highland Song (launching this year for PC)
• Sushi Ben VR (launching Q3 2023)
• Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley (launching this year for PC/Mac, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series)
• The Star Named EOS (launching in 2024 for PC)
• Fall of Porcupine (launching June 15 for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, Xbox One)
• Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life (launching June 27 for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series)
• Tiny Bookshop (PC)
• Wood + Weather (PC)
• Campfire Cat Café (available now for PC)
• Sopa (PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One)
• Tracks of Thought (launchingQ1 2024 for PC)
• Go Go Town! (launching July 3 for PC)
• Cato (launching in 2024 for PC)
• Let’s! Revolution! (launching July 19 for PC)
• Diluvian Winds (available now for PC)
• Ducky’s Delivery Service (launching July 20 for PC)
• Tall Trails (PC)
• Petit Island (launching in 2024 for PC)
• Quilts and Cats of Calico (launching this year for PC)
• Pizza Possum (launching this year for PC)
• The Last Alchemist (launching this year for PC)
• Mars First Logistics (launching June 22 for PC)
• Fishbowl (launching in 2025 for PC)
• Mirth Island (launching in 2024 for PC)
• Garden Life (launching in 2024 for PC)
• Sanya (launching this year for PC)
• March of Schrooms (launching in Q3 2023 for PC)
• Toasterball (available now for PC)
• Townframe (launching in 2024 for PC)
• Window Garden (available now for Android)
• Word Factori (launching in Q3 2023 for PC)
• Life After Magic (available now for PC)
• Athenian Rhapsody (launching in Q3 2023 for PC)
• Fields of Mistria (launching in 2024 for PC)

The full showcase