Every year at Summer Game Fest, Wholesome Direct provides a nice change of pace amid the epic blockbuster showcases. It’s equally packed with games – this year’s edition had more than 50 – but the atmosphere is more chilled and, well, nuttier. As in previous years, I’ve rounded up some of the more interesting reveals and announcements, although you can see the whole thing for yourself here. And if you’re interested in checking out some of the games – some are available right now, and a bunch have demos – there’s a dedicated Steam page.
Way back in 2017, hidden people It helped start a new genre of seek-and-find games – and now it’s getting a sequel. There aren’t too many details yet, but hidden people 2 It will include “hand-drawn, interactive, miniature scenarios in a variety of new themes, along with more silly jokes, more verbal sounds, and various quality of life improvements.” It is launching in 2027 on both mobile and PC.
This narrative adventure is powered by a new studio sable Co-creator Daniel Fineberg. And its premise is certainly interesting:
in flow It tells the story of a young woman named Luna who is starting her new job as a telecommunications engineer in space. Solve work problems during the day, then spend the evening hanging out with the crew on the ship. in flow It’s a story of trying to be a good person and finding hope and meaning in a world that feels like it’s falling apart.
Moomin: Midsummer Madness
We already know that the Moomins’ Finnish storybook realm translates well to games set in winter, and now we’ll have a little warmer to enjoy. midsummer madness changes things up with a painterly visual style, along with a more fantastical premise that also includes “a floating abandoned theater full of puzzles and mysteries”. It will launch on both PC and Switch sometime in 2026.
It is described as “a mysterious puzzle game about communicating with people you don’t understand.” patience is a virtue puts you in the role of a recent college graduate who has returned to his childhood home only to find that things are very different. Things get worse when he is attacked by a sentient cassette player. You can check it yourself with the Steam demo.
A cozy twist on city builders, watery Have you excavated river beds to guide water, revitalize desert valleys, and attract wildlife. And since the locations are procedurally generated, it should offer plenty of replayability when you need to relax.
Did I choose this game because of its adorable title? Sure, but the game also looks great. It is described as an open-world adventure where you play as a lost otter who will “meet strange animal friends, solve gentle puzzles, and enjoy light platforming.” it’s giving me look at the dolphin Vibes, only in 3D, and it’s launching on Steam in September.
The Wandering Village: The Last Leviathan
wandering village There was a great spin on city builders in which your city was on the back of a giant, walking creature. The game is now being called a major expansion The Last LeviathanWhich, you guessed it, gives you a new aquatic creature to build on top of. The update also includes new mechanics built to detect the creature’s body temperature and mood, as well as the Arctic Ocean.
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