Welcome to our Wholesome gaming news!
This week, we have news about survival deck-building strategy game Grow The Seed, Bahamut, based on Arabian Mythology and Faire Trade, successor to Winkeltje. Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy remastered, sequel to ISLANDERS: New Shores and pocket-sized: Tiny Garden. Wholesome Games in Nintendo Direct with Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, Witchbrook, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Disney Villains Cursed Cafe, Tamagotchi Plaza, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time and The Wandering Village on Switch! Nintendo never fails to surprise with Nintendo Today! and about cosy city builder Town to City.
Survival Deck-Building Strategy Game Grow The Seed
If you’re a fan of deck-building games with a strategic twist, you might be interested in Grow the Seed. The game is made byTabematsu Studio, and will be published in partnership with Soft Source Publishing. Grow the Seed is a survival deck-building strategy game that will come to Steam in Early Access in May 2025.
Grow the Seed offers a fresh take on the deck-building roguelite genre, blending card strategy, resource management, and light tower defence elements. Your mission? Nurture a tiny seed into a mighty tree by carefully selecting and upgrading cards, balancing essential resources like water, sunlight, and nutrients, and fending off pests from underground worms to pesky crows. Each season introduces new challenges, with intense boss battles featuring foes like a giant crow or an unruly goat.
It looks good with its charming hand-drawn art style and relaxing yet thoughtful gameplay. If you want to give it a try, then know that Grow the Seed is now available as a demo on Steam.
Bahamut, Based on Arabian Mythology
It’s not often that we see a game by a Saudi Arabian developer, and the fact that studio Starvania is female led made me pay extra attention. Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree shows a a world inspired by Arabian mythology, launching on Steam on May 8th, 2025. Brought to you by Singapore-based Soft Source Publishing this enchanting puzzle adventure will also make its way to consoles later this year.
In Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, you’ll explore the underwater realm of Ma’een, once a thriving ocean paradise now tainted by dark forces. Playing as a hero guided by the power of light, you’ll work to restore balance, uncover hidden secrets, and bring life back to a lost kingdom. Drawing from ancient Arabian legends, the game tells the tale of Bahamut, a giant whale, and Falak, a massive serpent—two mythical beings symbolizing light and darkness, born from the mystical Waqwaq Tree.
What makes this title stand out is its unique movement system, inspired by the flowing brushstrokes of Arabic calligraphy. You’ll solve environmental puzzles by drawing shapes and deciphering ancient relics, all while navigating stunning underwater landscapes.
You can watch the release date trailer here to catch a glimpse of the beautiful world waiting to be explored!
Faire Trade, Successor to Winkeltje
Indie developer Sassybot has officially unveiled Faire Trade, the charming follow-up to their popular old-world shopkeeping sim Winkeltje: The Little Shop. The game is expected to arrive on Steam Early Access in 2025. Faire Trade promises even deeper management mechanics and more customisation options while keeping the cosy charm fans loved in its predecessor.
In Faire Trade, you’ll start small, building up your shop with handcrafted goods, enchanted armour, and fresh produce, all while connecting with quirky townsfolk and curious travellers. Beyond simply selling items, you’ll have the chance to craft your own wares, hire and train staff, and navigate the ups and downs of a dynamic economy shaped by the changing seasons and the unique needs of your community.
If you’re eager to build your dream fantasy marketplace, you can wishlist Faire Trade on Steam now. There’s also a Founder’s Edition available, featuring exclusive cosmetic goodies like a dapper tailored suit. To sweeten the deal, Winkeltje: The Little Shop will be 55% off on Steam starting March 25th, perfect if you’d like to get a head start.
You can catch a glimpse of Faire Trade’s enchanting world in the official announcement trailer here.
Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy Remastered
Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy is making a return! Originally created by Benoît Sokal, this narrative-driven adventure game is being fully remastered for modern platforms, with a release set for April 24th on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
This isn’t just a visual touch-up. The game has been completely rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, offering beautiful 3D environments, smoother animations, and upgraded lighting for a more immersive feel. You’ll also notice updated controls, a reworked interface, and helpful quality-of-life improvements that make exploring and puzzle-solving more intuitive.
Amerzone lets you experience the mystery and atmosphere that inspired the Syberia series. You can catch a glimpse of the remaster in the official trailer.
Sequel to ISLANDERS: New Shores
Coming to PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, ISLANDERS: New Shores builds on the relaxing charm of the original game, which Paula liked it a lot as you can see in her review here. New Shores gives a fresh selection of islands, 44 building types, and two distinct modes—High Score and Sandbox. You’ll carefully place buildings to maximise your score while unlocking new options and exploring 50 unique island generators.
New additions like Boons (strategic power-ups), a Photo Mode, and Twitch integration add even more depth to the calm, creative gameplay.
Want to give it a try? A demo for ISLANDERS: New Shores is now live on Steam as part of the City Builder & Colony Sim Fest, running from March 24th to March 31st. This early look allows you to dive into the peaceful, strategic world of New Shores ahead of its full release in Summer 2025.
Pocket Sized: Tiny Garden
As I love gardening games (all the fun without actually having to kneel down on knees that don’t want to anymore) this game caught my attention: Tiny Garden. Remember the Polly Pocket miniature dioramas? They were so precious! Tiny Garden is like that: it lets you grow a pocket-sized garden inside a magical toy passed down through generations.
You can nurture plants, trade them for furniture, and customize your space in this relaxing mix of farming, puzzles, and strategy. No scores or time limits — just the way I like it!
Tiny Garden is coming to Steam on April 8th, and you can expect our review of the game before that!
Wholesome Games in Nintendo Direct
The Nintendo Direct of March 27th came at short notice, but even though most Switch fans are waiting for the Direct of April 2nd about the Switch 2, this one still managed to surprise. You’ll have to check it out yourself to see which game catches your fancy, but I was pretty chuffed at the following upcoming titles:
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (August 27, 2025)
Originally launched on the Nintendo DS, this classic entry in the Story of Seasons series invites you to grow crops, care for animals, and sell your goods at a lively weekly bazaar. The Switch version is part of Marvelous’ 20th anniversary plans, bringing new life to a fan-favorite title. It’s the perfect chance to revisit Zephyr Town or experience it for the first time with updated visuals and modern convenience. I remember that on the DS it was an absolute favorite of mine!
Witchbrook (Winter 2025)
Developed by Chucklefish, this magical life sim blends the charm of pixel art with a spellbinding mix of school life, friendships, and farming. You’ll play as a witch-in-training, attending classes, growing magical crops, and getting to know the locals in a vibrant seaside town.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream (2026)
For the first time in over 10 years, we will get a new version of Tomodachi Life, called Living the Dream. Create your own Mii characters based on yourself, friends, family – or anyone! – and watch them live their lives on an island out at sea. Get involved with their relationships and experience all the weird and wonderful ways these Mii characters interact. You may even drop in on their dreams!
Disney Villains Cursed Cafe (Released March 27th, so already available)
Get ready to stir up some magical mischief! A new visual novel experience is brewing, bringing Disney Villains to the counter of the Cursed Café. In this stylish twist, you’ll meet iconic villains reimagined with a modern flair—each one stepping into your café with a wicked wish.
As the café’s newest potionista, it’s your job to mix and serve magical elixirs that can alter the course of each villain’s story. Along the way, you’ll gather rare ingredients, unlock new concoctions, and dive deeper into the lives of these beloved baddies.
Tamagotchi Plaza (June 27th, 2025)
Coming soon to Nintendo Switch, the Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop series is making a charming return! This is a game I vivdly remember my daughter playing when she was little, nostalgia!
This whimsical shop simulator lets you dive back into the colorful world of Wonder Shops, where you can run your store and interact with over 100 Tamagotchi characters.
As you build your shop’s reputation, even more Tamagotchi will stop by—including a brand-new original character making their debut. The more your business flourishes, the livelier the town becomes, turning into a bustling, cheerful hub full of familiar faces and fun surprises.
The Wandering Village (July 17th, 2025)
In a world where mysterious plants are spreading all over the earth, a small group of survivors seek shelter on the back of a giant, wandering creature. Build your settlement and form a symbiotic relationship with the colossus in this city-building strategy game. Will you survive together in this hostile, yet beautiful, post-apocalyptic world, contaminated by poisonous fungi?
Paula loved the game when it was released in Early Access on Steam as you can read in her review. So great that it’s coming to Switch as well!
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (May 21st, 2025)
Embark on a time-traveling adventure in the sequel to the popular 3DS game “FANTASY LIFE.” Explore a vast open world, craft unique items, decorate your home and island or delve deep into dungeons. The possibilities are endless in this slow-life RPG!
I really loved the first game, so this one is one I’m really looking forward to!
You can check out the entire Direct here!
Nintendo Never Fails to Surprise
The last announcement in the Nintendo Direct was not about a game, but for Nintendo Today!. A free mobile app that brings you daily, personalized updates to your smart device. All you need is a Nintendo Account and a compatible phone or tablet.
With Nintendo Today!, you’ll get news tailored to your interests—the latest on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 system, your favourite characters, or even fun extras like videos and comic strips and more. There’s also an animated calendar with themes from beloved series like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Animal Crossing to brighten your day.
The app also includes an event schedule, tracking Nintendo Direct presentations, game launches, and in-game events. You can even filter events by specific games to see what’s coming up in the titles you’re playing.
To top it off, you can customize your home screen with a widget that shows calendar info and updates, complete with art from select Nintendo franchises. Yep, Nintendo never fails to surprise!
Cosy City Builder Town to City
Kwalee and indie developer Galaxy Grove have revealed a new gameplay trailer for Town to City, their upcoming cosy city builder coming to Steam in 2025. The trailer offers a first look at the game’s grid-free building system, in-game UI, and how you can meet your citizens’ needs to grow your quaint village into a thriving 19th-century Mediterranean city.
In Town to City, you’re invited to build at your own pace in either campaign or sandbox mode. Whether you’re placing flower beds with precision or expanding your economy, you can shape and customise every detail—from winding alleyways to charming plazas. The game also features voxel-style visuals and an in-game photo mode, perfect for capturing your creations.
If you’re a fan of relaxed, creative city-building games like Station to Station, this one might be worth keeping an eye on.
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