Wholesome Direct 2024: The Cutest Game

Despite its cozy exterior, Wholesome Direct 2024 will actually be the most crowded event of the summer gaming fest. The hour-long demo showcased more than 70 different games. Some are brand new announcements, some are previously known games with new trailers or release dates, and some games were even announced during the event.

Now, 70 is a big number, so to help, I’ve curated the games that stood out to me. You can also watch the full demo here to understand every detail. Even better: many games have demos on Steam that you can check out. Anyway, here are my picks, in no particular order.

kamaeru Looks more interactive Cat Atsume, only frogs are used instead of cats, and the painting style is beautiful. The goal is not only to create a sanctuary to house these frogs, but also to restore their wetland habitat. Best of all: it comes out today.

This is what happens if you mash ANIMAL CROSSING and Picross. The core of the game is to solve non-pictures and then create items that can be used to decorate a cozy home (with cheese, of course). It also looks to be full of mouse puns.

call Stardew Valley fan. Discount It looks like it has the same charming vibe, just less agricultural and more commercial. Instead of building a farm, you’re tasked with running a grocery store in a small town, which naturally means deep involvement in the community.

A side-scrolling platformer that looks a bit like super mario bros 2, it would be nice if it was painted with Japanese folklore and mythology. It also comes from the same developer behind the weird political platformer Super Bernie World.

moonstone island The game is already out on PC, but its combination of life simulation and creature collecting feels like a perfect fit for the Switch. There’s a lot going on in this game: farming, potion brewing, card battles, and soul taming. Plus, you can ride around on a broomstick.

The end of the world is usually dark and scary, but Caravan Sand Witch To move things in a slightly healthier direction. It’s an exploration game about driving your trusty van through the wasteland, and there’s no combat or death, so you can drive at your own pace.

This looks the most charming Where is Waldo?style games since hidden person. But even though it was a black and white world lost and found company Colorful. It even has a cute little dragon.

From the creator coffee talk, After Love EP Described as a “colorful mixtape of genres,” it’s part dating sim, part rhythm game, and part story-driven adventure. Whatever it is, it looks and sounds great, with Soyatu’s hand-drawn art and L’alpha’s Indonesian pop-rock soundtrack.