The Witch’s Bakery is exactly what I wanted it to be: a narrative game about magic and emotions, with plenty to see, without getting bogged down in the shop-simulation part of the game. I can’t give it our highest rating because of that bug in the bakery gameplay, but barring that, it would’ve deserved it without a doubt.
Otterly Lost is a delightful little adventure with a big heart. It is otterly charming, and if you are in the mood for something cozy, I urge you to try Otterly Lost
Nivalis Nights is a long-awaited life sim of growing a restaurant empire in a cyberpunk world. It isn’t without its problems, but it’s still an enjoyable experience, even if only for wandering around and talking to people.
If you like cleaning and sorting games, do take a look at Garden Cleanup Simulator. It’s a solid addition to the cleanup-game genre, albeit with a few minor notes.
Normally I don’t like platformer puzzles, but I loved this one. I normally struggle with the platforming part, but this time the developers have made even the dreaded double jump quite doable, even for people not fond of platformers. The lack of timers and enemies, the calm visuals and soundtrack, and the very cute tiny birds make The Merlies one of the very best games to add to your backlog this Fall
This year was strong for sci-fi fans- we had a lot of good books being published, new seasons for a lot of sci-fi series (including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), and of course, some new movies, including the adaptation of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary. Rivage fits well with these stories and will offer a few hours of time-bending, space-station fun for true sci-fi fans.
Woodo is a cozy puzzle game, perfect for rainy days or in between work breaks. It stands out among other cozy games with its relaxing gameplay and gorgeous visuals. Woodo was one of my most anticipated releases for the year, and thankfully, it didn’t disappoint. I think I’ll keep recommending this game for years to come.
If you are a fan of hidden object games and are a bit tired of looking for cats, Ducks in Disguise might offer you a welcome distraction. The levels are easy even without the hint button, but for some people, using AI might be a problem.
While in itself Mahjong Fest: Sakura Garden is an okay game, it is really nothing to write home about. It runs fine; the gameplay is as described on its Steam page, but really, that’s it. Still, if you are in the mood for some low-stakes puzzling, you could enjoy it, or at least the free portion of it.
Monk Took Book is a delightful addition to the sorting-and-organizing game genre. It is also a great addition to the co-op genre. It offers unlimited options to truly personalize the game to the players’ wishes, and I, for one, can’t wait to try organizing and defending my monastic library with some friends
I’ve been waiting for The Sorting Bureau since I saw the demo back in May. It was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I am happy to report that it is exactly what I was hoping for. It is a quiet respite from the chaos of the real world, best enjoyed in any weather and at any time of the day, with a good cup of tea.
Tukoni: Forest Keepers is a gentle and yet vibrant autumnal adventure, perfect for the upcoming autumnal months. It is a game about preparing for winter that will seamlessly fit into my own preparations.
Leafy Corner is a very good plant shop simulation game. It might look a bit simplistic, but I think that works in the game’s favor. There are no timers; controls are simple and intuitive; the gameplay mechanics are basic; and the game design is very cute. All in all, Leafy Corner can work very well as a relaxing, plant-themed game with a bit of strategy and puzzle elements to go along with the decorating. If you are in the mood for some simple fun, Leafy Corner might just be the game for you.
Back in November last year, I had the pleasure of reviewing Rita’s demo. As I said back then, I didn’t have any expectations when I started Rita, but it’s safe to say that afterwards, I was very excited for the final release of the game. I am happy to report that Rita is exactly what I was hoping for. If you liked A Short Hike and Haven Park, and you like word-based puzzles, I think you will also enjoy Rita.
Case Solved: The London Files is a welcome addition to the cozy detective genre. The cases and the interactions and clue gathering are not especially challenging, but the game’s real strength comes from the closed logic puzzles. Those can be a bit mind-boggling, especially at later stages, but still very fun and satisfying to solve. If you’ve liked working as the Duck Detective or you are in the mood for a level from Logic Town, Case Solved: The London Files might just be the game for you.
Havsala: Into the Soul Palace is my favorite kind of game – we have puzzles and beautiful artwork, and some very challenging puzzles to solve, and a lot of reading to do. If you like those kinds of games, you will probably enjoy Havsala: Into the Soul Palace as well.
So, in conclusion, Powerwash Simulator 2: Star Wars DLC is a great little pack that’s a delight for fans of the Star Wars Universe and the Powerwash Simulator games.
Moldwasher is a delightfully quirky little cleaning game, so if you are a fan of the Power Wash games, you might like to give Moldwasher a try as well.
Whether you are a new or returning fan of the Delicious games, Delicious – The First Course is a treat for fans of restaurant sims and time-management games. It’s worth watching if the developers release more remakes in the future.
Momento is a game that the fans of Unpacking have been eagerly awaiting. Thankfully, it doesn’t disappoint at all, and it’s exactly what I’ve been hoping for. It is the perfect mix of cozy storytelling, open to wonder and whimsy, and really, perfect for summer.