Wholesome Direct 2024: the cutest games

Regardless of its cozy look, Healthful Direct 2024 is definitely shaping as much as be essentially the most packed occasion of Summer time Recreation Fest. The hour-long presentation featured greater than 70 completely different video games. Some have been brand-new bulletins, some have been beforehand identified video games that received a contemporary trailer or launch date, and a handful of titles even launched through the occasion.

Now, 70 is a big quantity, so to assist, I’ve curated the video games that stood out to me essentially the most. You can too watch the total presentation proper right here to soak in each element. Even higher: most of the video games have demos on Steam that you may try. Anyway, listed below are my picks, in no specific order.

Kamaeru appears like a extra interactive tackle Neko Atsume, solely with frogs as an alternative of cats and a lovely painterly artwork model. The objective is to not solely construct a sanctuary to lift these frogs in but additionally restore their wetland habitat. Better of all: it’s out immediately.

That is what would occur if you happen to mashed Animal Crossing with Picross. The sport is all about fixing nonograms, which then create objects (out of cheese, naturally) that you should use to embellish a comfortable dwelling. It additionally appears to be jam-packed with mouse puns.

Calling Stardew Valley followers. Discounty appears prefer it has a equally charming vibe, solely with much less farming and extra enterprise. As a substitute of build up a farmstead, you’re tasked with working a grocery retailer in a small city, which naturally means getting deeply concerned locally.

A side-scrolling platformer that appears a bit like Tremendous Mario Bros. 2, if solely it was coated in Japanese folklore and mythology. It additionally comes from the identical developer behind the oddball political platformer Tremendous Bernie World.

Moonstone Island is already out on PC, however its mixture of life sim and creature assortment appears like an ideal match for the Swap. There’s quite a bit occurring on this recreation: farming, potion brewing, card-based battles, and spirits to tame. Plus, you may journey round on a brush.

The top of the world is often darkish and dire, however Caravan SandWitch takes issues in a barely extra healthful route. It’s an exploration recreation about venturing by means of a wasteland in your trusty van, and it has no fight or loss of life, so you may drive round at your personal tempo.

That is wanting like essentially the most charming The place’s Waldo?-style recreation since Hidden People. However whereas that was a black-and-white world, Misplaced and Discovered Co. is bursting with colour. It even has a cute little dragon.

From the creators of Espresso Speak, Afterlove EP is described as “a colourful mixtape of genres” that’s half courting sim, half rhythm recreation, and half story-driven journey. No matter it’s, it each appears and sounds nice, with hand-drawn artwork from Soyatu and a soundtrack of Indonesian pop-rock from L’alphalpha.