The Wholesome Direct put on by Wholesome Games dropped over the weekend. If you didn’t catch it, I’ve put a summary of the new games, news, and demos that were announced during it below.

There are a bunch of new cozy games to look forward to and I’m happy to report that none of them use Gen AI.

We do our best not to highlight games that use Generative AI at any level of development or marketing. At the time of posting, these games have not reported or disclosed using Gen AI. Likewise, all articles are written and edited by humans… as evidenced by our occasional errors.

If you’d rather watch…

New games announced during the Wholesome Direct

Beastfolk Barbe

Beastfolk Barber

Beastfolk Barber is a narrative game where you play as a barber running a small shop for beastfolk. You’ll welcome them to your chair and have a conversation with them that will inspire the way you change up their look. One day, a demon walks into your shop looking to strike a bargain. They’ll grant a wish in exchange for the perfect haircut. Your services become not only an aid to others, but an aid for yourself as you try and learn the secrets to a perfect cut.

Steam

Book Nook

Book Nook is a puzzle game where you’ll build miniature diorama scenes, piece by piece. There are no timers or challenges, so you’re free to build at your own pace. When the scene is built, you can decorate the space with various items to make it feel more lived in. With each diorama, you’ll see memories unfold inspired by what you built.

Steam

Hidden Folks 2

Hidden Folks 2 is a hidden-object game where you’ll search for people hidden amongst interactive landscapes. It’s a very straightforward playstyle that will take you across 15-20 areas where there will be several targets for you to find. Right now, the game is in early stages, and while the game is in black and white, they will plan for different color modes in the future.

Steam

Hokko Spaces

Hokko Spaces is a sandbox builder where you’ll design highly detailed miniature diorama-style worlds. As you create new spaces, you’ll have the opportunity to unlock new villagers to hang out by completing simple goals that will entice them to show up. When you’ve created a space that you want to show off, you can use camera mode. It has a few different filters you can use to capture the vibe of your diorama.

Steam

In The Drift

In The Drift

In The Drift is a narrative platformer where you play as Luna, a young engineer responsible for maintaining an internet connection for the people living on “The Belt.” You’ll drive across drifted asteroids and platform your way up old radio towers to fix the connections. It boasts a story about human connection, an original soundtrack, and a feline first mate.

Steam

Moomin: Midsummer Madness

Moomin: Midsummer Madness is a point-and-click adventure game where you play Moonmintroll and Little My, who get caught up in a flood. They’ll need to find their way back home by tackling a series of light puzzles. With a hint system, you’re ensured that your gameplay will stay comfy and cozy.

Steam

Moomin: Midsummer Madness

Rubber Bird

Rubber Bird is a physics-based platformer where you play as Rub, an elastic bird with some troubles that they need help with. The levels are short and don’t have timers or game overs, so while it’s built a bit more on chaos, it should still be a fairly chill time. Scattered around are collectibles that you can collect across the levels for a bit of an added challenge. Join Rub as they travel across several different biomes and see what kind of secrets you can uncover.

Steam

Tinkernest

Tinkernest is a crafting colony sim where you play as someone who has woken up on the beach of a strange place. Everything here seems to be combinable from items to buildings, and even the environment and villagers. It’ll be up to you to make discoveries through experimentation. With the items you make, you’ll be able to build up your own little settlement, and along the way, you can make friends and have them help automate things. It boasts over 200 combinations and progression through multiple ages of technology.

Steam

Tinkernest

WATERFUL: a tiny oasis builder - wholesome direct

WATERFUL: a tiny oasis builder

WATERFUL: a tiny oasis builder is a nature-builder where you’ll dig riverbeds across desert valleys. How you shape your water will determine what sorts of flora will grow and what animals will be lured in to make this tiny oasis their home. When you spot a new creature taking up residence, you can click on it to earn a sticker of it for your scrapbook. There are tiny quests that you can complete to progress faster, but you don’t have to engage with them if you don’t want to.

Steam

Quick news updates

  • Discounty has a new expansion out now called “People or Profit?” The expansion adds three branching endings where you’ll need to decide whether you’re supporting the people or if you’re going to pursue profit.
  • Paralives has a new “Unpacking” themed game update that’s free. It adds themed items, stamps, and a shirt to the game.
  • The Wandering Village: The Last Leviathan has a new DLC that brings a new creature, buildings, resources, and a different tech tree. In addition, there’s a new, free update that adds mood mechanics, cosmetics, an Arctic Ocean biome, and more!
  • Momento shadow dropped on Steam during the direct and is now available to play.

Games that dropped new demos to try out

What caught your eye in the Wholesome Direct? Personally, I’m pretty stoked to get my hands on Book Nook. Those tiny dioramas have been something I’ve wanted to build, so getting to do it at a fraction of the price is enticing.