Here’s a recap of our best games, scoring the golden ‘Two Thumbs Up’ published in April, May and June 2026.
We didn’t review every Switch or Steam game released in these months, so let us know in the comments if you came across a fantastic game that the LadiesGamers community should know about.
Aether & Iron
A Decopunk Narrative RPG set in an alternate noir 1930s New York.
James rolled the dice in Aether & Iron
Despite a few slightly complicated systems, Aether & Iron left a really positive impression on me.
The world-building is excellent, the characters are engaging, and the combination of noir storytelling with sci-fi elements makes the setting stand out. The dice-based dialogue adds unpredictability to conversations, while the turn-based car combat offers something genuinely different from most RPGs.
It’s definitely a dialogue-heavy experience, so players looking for constant action might not connect with it. But if you enjoy story-driven RPGs and like the idea of something a bit unusual, there’s a lot here to appreciate.
With its distinctive setting, strong writing, and creative mechanics, Aether & Iron feels like an RPG that isn’t afraid to try its own ideas, and for the most part, it succeeds as well as makes me want to shop for a fine waistcoat and hat.
Available on Steam
Go! Go! Mister Chickums
CLASSIC ARCADE ACTION!
Go! Go! Mister Chickums is an egg-cellent arcade platformer.
Go! Go! Mister Chickums is a delightful arcade platformer that understands exactly what makes this style of game enjoyable. The egg-throwing mechanic is clever, the levels are quick and satisfying to play, and the whole experience captures that addictive “just one more go” feeling that great arcade games thrive on.
It’s easy to jump into for a few minutes, but it’s also the sort of game you can happily sit with for longer sessions while chasing better scores and discovering its secrets. The boss fights might be a little too gentle, but the core gameplay is strong enough that it barely takes away from the overall experience.
If you enjoy arcade platformers, retro-inspired games, or simply want something fun to dip into between longer gaming sessions, Go! Go! Mister Chickums is well worth checking out.
Available on Steam, and Switch
Hozy
Restore a forgotten neighbourhood through your favourite hobby, one cozy room at a time.
Kalina restores that Hozy feeling.
Hozy was one of my most anticipated games of the year, and it didn’t disappoint at all. The developers have promised extra content down the line, but even now, the game is just cozy enough to replay each level, without hurrying, leisurely, cozily. If you like interior design games and you are in the mood for something short, but very cute, Hozy is definitely worth a look.
Available on Steam
Powerwash Simulator 2 – Adventure Time Pack DLC
What time is it?! The new Adventure Time Pack is set to bring the Ooo to PowerWash Simulator TwOoo.
Mina had time to go on a cleaning adventure in Powerwash Simulator 2 – Adventure Time Pack DLC
Overall, though, the Powerwash Simulator 2: Adventure Time Pack was everything I wanted it to be. It was goofy fun that looks like it is part of the Adventure Time world. It’s perfect for fans of both Powerwash Simulator and Adventure Time.
Available on Steam, and Switch 2
A Storied Life: Tabitha
A Storied Life: Tabitha is a cosy narrative game about memory, legacy, discovery, and joy.
Kalina uncovered the memories and secrets in A Storied Life: Tabitha
A Storied Life: Tabitha is, without a doubt, a charming game, even with its somewhat heavy subject. While part of life, the topic of death and what we leave behind is never easy. Still, the game manages the topic with grace. It turns something heartbreaking into something positive, showing that we always leave something behind in the relationships we forge and the people who love us.
If you are in the mood for a thoughtful and wholesome narrative puzzle game, I urge you to try A Storied Life: Tabitha. I think there’s no reason you won’t like it as much as I did.
Available on Steam, and Switch
Moses & Plato – Last Train to Clawville
A murder mystery where you are the main suspect!
Kalina was playing detective and suspect in Moses & Plato – Last Train to Clawville
I love adventure games, have a soft spot for trains, and especially enjoy the combination of the two. It sounds like a niche genre, but this is actually my third “murder investigation” on a train, after 2024’s Loco Motive and 2023’s Murder on the Orient Express. Each of those games brings something new to the table, and Moses & Plato – Last Train to Clawville is certainly one of the more unique spins on the story. I hope this is not the last I’ve seen from Moses and Plato.
Available on Steam.
Gecko Gods
Explore a forgotten land in Gecko Gods, a puzzle-adventure built for curiosity. Climb, solve, and sail as you uncover the islands’ past.
Mina went puzzling to reawaken the Gecko Gods
Gecko Gods was well worth the wait. I found this lizardy adventure to be fun, gorgeous, and very engaging. The puzzles are fun, and the main character is so well animated that it feels real. I did have a few issues with the camera, but the rest of Gecko Gods was so perfect that I didn’t mind. It is one of the best games I’ve played so far this year, and I know other puzzle game lovers will enjoy it as well.
Available on Steam, Switch 2, and Switch
Trinket Bag Maker
Trinket Bag Maker is a cozy retro sandbox game inspired by the 2000’s girl games, where you can create your own trinket bag!
Mina enjoyed decorating in Trinket Bag Maker
Trinket Bag Maker is not for everyone, but for the people who like this sort of sandbox experience, it’s amazing. You have tons of options, a million little charms to decorate with, and a lot of relaxing music to chill out to. It’s a great time for those who love this sort of thing. 10/10, I would recommend!
Available on Steam.
Arcadia Fallen II
Choose from three different magical disciplines, and let your choices shape the personality of your character as you navigate school life during a time of great change
Play as a senior mage student in Arcadia Fallen II
Overall, Arcadia Fallen II delivers an engaging story with enjoyable twists, accompanied by beautiful art and voice acting that bring the Seven Winds Academy to life. I definitely plan to play through the original Arcadia Fallen soon to learn more about the lore leading up to this story.
Available on Steam, and Switch
Hello Kitty Island Adventure – City Town DLC
Bright lights. Big dreams. Bigger adventures. Welcome to City Town!
I went to town with Hello Kitty Island Adventure – City Town DLC
I am thoroughly enjoying the Hello Kitty Island Adventure – City Town DLC. The cityscape offers a different vibe from that of Friendship Island. The inclusion of new shops and a functioning café gives more reasons to craft and forage across all of the Hello Kitty Island Adventure locations to meet customer orders.
There is nothing in the City Town DLC which detracts or is out of keeping with the original game, and who would have thought an avocado plushie could be so adorable?
Available on Steam, and Switch 2 and Switch
Find Matt’s Cats
Go on a scavenger-hunt adventure that spans 84 hand-crafted levels, while getting to know the four friends who struggle to keep their video game studio together.
Amanda helped Find Matt’s Cats
If you’re looking for a hidden-objects game and don’t know which one to pick, Find Matt’s Cats would be my top recommendation. Not only is it a very complete game in the genre, but it’s also one of the most unique and clever. This title offers many hours of guaranteed fun, exploration, and compelling characters telling an authentic story. The amount of details and little features the developer team managed to include while keeping the game’s essence is amazing. Find Matt’s Cats is a mandatory addition for any player addicted to hidden-object games.
Available on Steam.
Japanese Rural Life Adventure
A relaxing slow-life simulation game where you can experience the charm of traditional Japanese countryside living, all in a beautifully crafted pixel-art world.
Discover the traditional culture of Japan in Japanese Rural Life Adventure
Japanese Rural Life Adventure is more about restoring a community than farming and fishing. The limited character customisation options are more than made up for by the wide range of activities. The progression through the game is well-balanced, and there is satisfaction in completing the various events.
However, where Japanese Rural Life Adventure really shines is its ability to immerse the player in the rich cultural heritage of Japan. The game encourages you to learn about the many festivals and traditions, demonstrates the patience needed to prepare some of the culinary delights, and teaches the importance of slowing down to enjoy your surroundings.
Available on Steam, and Switch
Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors
In a dark world, a new adventure begins. Explore maps, level up powers, kill monsters. Find treasures.
James made sure he didn’t get bitten in Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors
Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors takes a formula that already worked and shifts it into a completely different genre without losing what made it so engaging in the first place. The mix of first-person dungeon crawling and fast-paced card battles is surprisingly natural. It’s easy to pick up, rewarding to experiment with, and very difficult to put down once it gets its hooks in.
There’s plenty of content, loads of unlockables, and a gameplay loop that keeps nudging you forward without ever feeling heavy. If you enjoyed Vampire Survivors, there’s a lot to like here. And if you enjoy card-based dungeon crawlers, this feels like one to pay attention to.
And just like Vampire Survivors, the game that launched 1000 similar games, no doubt Vampire Crawlers will do the same.
Lastly, if you purchase this on Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 upgrade is free.
Available on Steam, Switch 2 and Switch
Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery
There’s only one detective to unravel this murder turned museum heist… and they’re the cat’s meow.
Kalina found the purr-fect detective story in Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery
I’ve been in the mood for a good detective story for a while now, and thankfully, Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery didn’t disappoint me. I hope the game is successful enough for the developers to give us another chance to investigate crimes with this particular cat detective.
Available on Steam.
Homgard
The world has ended. Homgard can’t be saved… but someone still needs to do the paperwork.
Filling in the squares to uncover the story behind Homgard
Overall, Homgard stands out in my Picross game collection not only with its interesting new nonogram rules but also with its immersive worldbuilding. I’m looking forward to experiencing the next three volumes in this story.
Available on Steam.
Puzzling Places – 3D Jigsaw Sim
A relaxed 3D jigsaw puzzle game about building detailed miniature dioramas of places from around the world.
Kalina relaxed whilst building Puzzling Places – 3D Jigsaw Sim
Puzzling Places – 3D Jigsaw Sim is a great puzzle game; it’s a great diorama game. The game is polished from the main menu to the controls and the chill soundtrack. I love the customization options for the puzzles, the sounds, and the little elements. I’ve been savoring the 18 puzzles we have for now and am eagerly awaiting future content updates.
Available on Steam.
Coffee Talk Tokyo
Coffee Talk Tokyo returns as a cozy, narrative-driven visual novel set in a late-night café in modern Tokyo.
Kalina was pouring the drinks in Coffee Talk Tokyo
It is quite fitting that our first true customer is someone familiar – it sets the tone of the game- we are in familiar cozy waters, but it won’t be quite the same as before. There are new things to learn and hear, new friends to meet, and new faces to remember. The Coffee Talk games are very dear to me, always a comforting gaming experience, which I continue to return to. It was a relief when Coffee Talk Tokyo was announced, and now I am ecstatic to report that the new game is just as good as the others. If you loved the originals, I think you’ll absolutely love Coffee Talk Tokyo too.
Available on Steam, Switch 2, and Switch
Rune Dice
Launch dice across enchanted battlefields where realistic physics meets ancient magic.
James was rolling the dice in Rune Dice
Rune Dice is one of those wonderfully easy games to recommend. It doesn’t overcomplicate itself. It doesn’t bury the fun underneath endless systems. It simply takes one very good idea and executes it incredibly well. The dice-combining mechanic is addictive, the progression loop constantly rewards you, and the overall structure makes it dangerously easy to keep playing long after you planned to stop.
Sure, the presentation may not be especially flashy, and some players might find the gameplay a little too straightforward compared to deeper strategy roguelites. But honestly, I think that simplicity is part of the appeal here. I had an absolute blast with it.
Whether playing on a desktop or relaxing with it on the Steam Deck, Rune Dice became one of those games I kept wanting to return to for “just one more run.” And usually, that’s the biggest compliment I can give a roguelite.
A free demo is available on Steam and Nintendo eShop.
Available on Steam, and Switch
Walk the Frog
Guide Froggo through a world on sticky notes and relax while solving the puzzle of his journey home to find his best friend Buddy.
Mina took the lead in Walk the Frog
Walk the Frog is probably one of the cutest games I’ve played so far this year. It is a unique point-and-click adventure with some great visuals, amazing dialogue, good characters, and perfect sound design and music. I had a couple of small issues, including how short it was. I wanted to keep playing forever!
Walk the Frog is a great, family-friendly puzzle game with a lot of heart, great animation, and so much good going for it. I love this game, and if you love goofy puzzles, you will love it too!
Available on Steam.
Trash Goblin & The Artist of Brimhaven DLC
The Artist of Brimhaven is the first official expansion for cosy shopkeeping game Trash Goblin. This expansion adds a whole new district to visit, and brand new ways to interact with it.
Kalina carried on repairing Trash Goblin & The Artist of Brimhaven DLC
This is the third time I’ve reviewed Trash Goblin, and the fact that the game continues to develop enough to warrant a new review shows a lot about what a labor of love it is for its developers. If you love cozy games about repairing and collecting items, and for some reason still haven’t tried Trash Goblin, now you have a perfect reason to do so.
Available on Steam. Not yet available on Switch, although the base game is.
Map Map – A Game About Maps
In this game YOU make the maps!
James turned cartographer in Map Map – A Game About Maps
Map Map – A Game About Maps takes the surprisingly niche subject of cartography and transforms it into a delightful exploration adventure. Its charming cast, clever navigation mechanics, and rewarding sense of discovery create an experience that feels genuinely unique. I especially appreciated how it encourages players to engage with the environment rather than simply follow objective markers.
The fixed maps do mean replayability is somewhat limited once you’ve mastered each island, but the journey itself is so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. This is a game that rewards patience, curiosity, and careful observation. It’s educational without feeling like homework, relaxing without becoming boring, and challenging without being unfair.
For anyone who enjoys cosy exploration games and the thrill of uncovering secrets through their own ingenuity, Map Map – A Game About Maps is well worth charting a course towards. I look forward to sharing it with my kids when they are older.
Available on Steam.
Solarpunk
Build and decorate your dream home base alone or with friends in this relaxing survival game set in a technically advanced world of floating islands.
I took to the skies and survived in Solarpunk
It’s clear to tell that Solarpunk has been created with passion, from every placed flower making the environment look natural, to the sounds of wood crackling in the furnace, from the carefully planned upgrade path, to the numerous building options.
In my eyes, Solarpunk is something truly special, containing everything I want from a game: gathering, harvesting, exploring, crafting, building and decorating. There are a few niggles, but they don’t detract from the amazing scenery, the structured gameplay and the sheer enjoyment of creating a dream home, garden and farm.
Check out the developers’ video to see if Solarpunk is for you.
Available on Steam, and Switch 2
Momento
Momento is a cozy room decorator with a twist: the objects you choose will alter the course of the story!
Kalina decorated to tell the story in Momento
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.
Available on Steam, Switch 2, and Switch
Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker
In this D&D-inspired visual novel you will run a cozy seaside tavern, meet adventurers, gather rumours and mix fate-altering drinks to stop dreams from twisting into nightmares.
Kalina was mixing the drinks in Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker
Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker is a delightful new story set within the Tavern Talk universe. It has all the winning elements from the previous game, and I can only hope that this will not be the last we see of the land of Phesoa and its quirky characters.
Available on Steam, and Switch
Unrailed 2: Back on Track
Unrailed is back on track with more co-op railroad construction chaos than ever!
James didn’t miss the train in Unrailed 2: Back on Track
Unrailed 2: Back on Track is exactly the sequel I was hoping for. It preserves everything that made the original special while introducing enough new ideas to justify its existence. The deeper progression systems, boss encounters, expanded customisation, improved solo experience, and increased variety all help elevate what was already a fantastic concept.
Most importantly, it never loses sight of what made the first game so enjoyable: the simple joy of working together to build a railway before disaster strikes. Whether you’re playing alone, with family, or with a group of friends shouting instructions at one another across the sofa, there’s an incredible amount of fun to be found here.
If you loved the original, this is an easy recommendation. If you’ve never played Unrailed before, this is arguably the best place to start. Train building has rarely been this frantic, this funny, or this satisfying.
Available on Steam, Switch 2 and Switch
The Guardian of Nature
The Guardian of Nature is a hand-drawn, size-changing adventure. Embark on a magical journey with botanist Henry, use your size-changing ability to explore nature in big and small and solve solarpunk puzzles to put nature back in order.
Mina became The Guardian of Nature
Overall, The Guardian of Nature is a great game that’s worth playing. The puzzles were fun, the artwork amazing, and the sound design and music were perfect. It may have been short, but those hours spent in the world of the Guardians were wonderful. If you like puzzle games, I cannot recommend this one enough!
Available on Steam.
Elfie: A Sand Plan
Elfie: A Sand Plan is a relaxing and intuitive puzzle game where you help a small ambitious elephant build some sand castles. Enjoy spending time at the beach with your new rotund friend!
Amanda was building sandcastles with Elfie: A Sand Plan
Elfie: A Sand Plan is a much more complex game than it seems to be. Definitely not the kids’ game it appears to be, although a super smart kid may be able to play as well. This is a great exercise for the brain — and I mean it in an actual brain training kind of way. It takes a super simple idea and builds intricate puzzles that keep getting more complex as you advance in the game. Maybe not a game to play for long periods of time as it can be a little bit mentally exhausting, but Elfie: A Sand Plan is definitely worth playing in smaller bits.
Available on Steam.
Beastro
Beastro is a cozy culinary adventure where the fate of the world rests on what’s for dinner! Farm and gather fresh ingredients, tackle cooking minigames, and create tasty recipes to fuel the Caretakers for deckbuilding battles as they seek to save the world.
James went farming, cooking and deckbuilding in Beastro
Beastro feels like a cosy player’s dream. It successfully combines farming, restaurant management, cooking minigames and deck-building roguelite mechanics into something that feels surprisingly cohesive. Not every element is explained perfectly, and some of the systems can initially feel a little confusing. The boss encounters occasionally felt harsher than I would have liked, too.
Yet despite those issues, I found myself consistently enjoying my time with it. What impressed me most is how welcoming the game feels. It never seems interested in punishing the player. Instead, it gently encourages you forward, allowing you to learn, experiment and progress at your own pace. If you’re someone who enjoys cosy games and have perhaps been intimidated by more demanding roguelites in the past, Beastro might be exactly the kind of gateway experience you’re looking for.
And if you simply want to spend your evenings growing vegetables, cooking meals, petting strange farm animals and helping save the world one dinner plate at a time, there’s plenty here to love.
Available on Steam.
Crimson Waves on the Emerald Sea: Amaranthine Moon
Find yourself in the middle of the mystery of your business partner’s death in this Victorian vampire otome visual novel.
Follow Lucie’s investigations in the otome visual novel Crimson Waves on the Emerald Sea: Amaranthine Moon
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Lucie as we investigated the counterfeit gem scams and the jeweler murders together with Cecil in Crimson Waves on the Emerald Sea: Amaranthine Moon. I look forward to going back and experiencing the story again with Elm and Rowan too!
Available on Steam.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Join the fight between man and machine.
James helped Shulk in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 is exactly what it needed to be: a polished version of an already outstanding RPG. Returning to it years later gave me a much greater appreciation for what makes this game special. The story remains compelling, the world remains fascinating to explore, and the combat finally clicked with me in a way it never quite did the first time around.
If you’ve already played this adventure multiple times, the new additions alone may not be enough to justify another hundred-hour commitment. But for newcomers, or players like me who haven’t visited Shulk’s adventure in a very long time, this is easily the best way to experience it. It’s a timeless RPG that still stands tall among Nintendo’s finest adventures, and one that feels just as rewarding today as it did when players first picked up the Monado all those years ago.
Available on Switch 2 and Switch
Kanji Cats
Embark on a Tasty Journey to Master Japanese Kanji!
Mina was learning Japanese with the help of Kanji Cats
Overall, I feel like Kanji Cats is a great learning tool for anyone looking to expand how well they speak, write, and read Japanese. Everything is spoken out loud to help you learn better; the words are useful and helpful, and the game makes retaining the information easy. I’ve been playing a few minutes a day for the last week or so, and I do remember a lot of what I have learned.
It’s a great little game, inexpensive for what it is, and it runs almost flawlessly. I’m so glad Kanji Cats found its way into my Steam library, and I look forward to learning even more kanji over the next few months.
Available on Steam
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