Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s weekly catch-up news feature, the catch-up coffee. I will bring you the best news you may have missed with each issue. Grab the biggest mug you’ve got, fill it with your favourite brew, and catch up with us (and our favourite news anchor, Dee Dee)!
Botany Manor launches for PlayStation in mid-December
Cozy exploration puzzle game Botany Manor is one of my favourite games of 2024. It’s peaceful and beautiful, with no time limits, combat, or death. Instead, take on the role of a long-time botanist named Arabella who wants to find ways for the plants forgotten in time to bloom once again. You also learn about her fictional life and career, which mirrors the challenges women scientists faced during the 19th century. The game is already available on most consoles, and it completes the checklist by launching for PlayStation in mid-December.
The game is set at a historic manor and around its grounds. Explore inside and out to find clues in Arabella’s old notes, books, posters, and items. These things can be turned and flipped around to find the information you need to grow each plant. This is where the puzzle aspect comes into play: you’ll need to learn enough about things like temperature and growing conditions to grow each seed. Complete each area to progress to the next, unlocking new plant varieties to grow.
Developed by Balloon Studios and published by Whitethorn Games, Botany Manor is available for PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One. It will be released for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on December 17.
Infinity Nikki will be released in early December
Nikki’s all grown up, and her life is no longer only about fashion: she’s the star of “the coziest open-world game” that over 30 million players have pre-registered for, Infinity Nikki. I am happily one of them because every time I see a trailer for the game, I squeal at something adorable at least once. Infinity Nikki will launch for mobile platforms, as past Nikki games have. And for the first time, it will bring the series to PC and PlayStation 5. The release date trailer features the full theme song, Together Till Infinity by pop star Jessie J.
As Nikki, accompanied by her companion Momo, explore a charming world through fishing, pet grooming, and fashion contests. The cast of characters will bring story quests. Nikki will take on platforming challenges using her movement and toolsets. Other things Nikki can do in Miraland include floating, gliding, plunging, and puzzle-solving. There are paper cranes, wine cellar minecarts, ghost trains, and more to discover.
Developed by Infold Games, Infinity Nikki will be released for iOS/Android, PC, and PlayStation 5 on December 5.
FMV game Love Too Easily is – you guessed it! – launching in December
The first few weeks of December are shaping up to be a busy time for games. Korean FMV romantic comedy game Love Too Easily can be added to that ever-evolving list, with its console editions being released early in the month. In fact, it shares its release date with Infinity Nikki and exploration friendship game Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island. Love Too Easily is themed around the highs and lows of romance and, inevitably, self-discovery.
It all starts with a kiss last night, a lost phone, and three suspects. As the assistant to the protagonist, you will make decisions, find hints, and complete mini-games. There are some quick-time events (and I am concerned there won’t be an option to turn them off). Decisions about where to go, who to speak with, what to speak about, and how to respond will shape the game’s path. Clues will also rely on the same decisions. There are 12 endings, one of them hidden.
Developed by Monster Guide and published by H2 Interactive, Love Too Easily will be released for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on December 5.
A Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin spin-off has been announced
I wish I had more to share about Sakuna Chronicles: Kokorowa and the Gears of Creation, a spin-off of Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin created by the same developer. Yep, it went straight from the first game in a new franchise to a spin-off rather than a sequel! The narrative focuses on Sakuna’s close friend, Princess Kokorowa. She is a high-ranking goddess who presides over wheels and inventions from her heavenly home.
I wish I could share a release date (or even a window) and platforms, but neither has been announced.
Developed by Edelweiss, Sakuna Chronicles: Kokorowa and the Gears of Creation will be published by Marvelous, Marvelous Europe, or XSEED Games (it depends on the territory).
Buy the hottest games with Amazon.
By purchasing from this link, you support DDNet.
Each sale earns us a small commission.
