Welcome to our Wholesome gaming news!
This week, we have news about HYKE: Northern Light(s) bringing magic and cosy survival, digital tabletop RPG Marisa of Liartop Mountain and American Arcadia coming to all consoles. Spellcaster University is coming to consoles, Moving Out sales on Steam, and Wind Story is coming to Early Access on Steam. Poof! Cleaning Services announced and Starsand Island Kickstarter coming.
HYKE: Northern Light(s) Brings Magic and Cosy Survival
HYKE: Northern Light(s) promises a charming blend of witchy magic and cosy survival and is heading your way in Summer 2025. Developed by BLAST EDGE GAMES and co-published by Akatsuki Games and Aniplex, this 2D top-down pixel action RPG will be available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
You’ll play as Hyke, a young spellcaster navigating a world scarred by conflict between humans and witches. With spellbook in hand, venture into the mysterious wilderness to battle fearsome foes and uncover the secrets of the Forbidden Areas—all while facing off against powerful witches guarding the way.
But it’s not all danger and drama. When you’re not exploring, you can relax at your customisable campsite. Set the vibe with cosy outdoor furniture, whip up delicious meals from foraged ingredients, and enjoy downtime by the fire with friends and your own curated playlist. You can watch the trailer here.
Digital Tabletop RPG Marisa of Liartop Mountain
Marisa of Liartop Mountain is a digital tabletop RPG inspired by classic gamebooks and based on the Touhou Project, is launching on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch on Thursday, September 18th, 2025. Developed by Unknown X, the game invites you into a story-driven adventure where every dice roll shapes the path ahead.
You’ll step into the role of Reimu, the Shrine Maiden, as she searches for the mysterious Marisa across the fantastical, Japan-inspired land of Gensokyo. Along the way, you’ll be guided—or perhaps second-guessed—by familiar faces from the Scarlet Devil Mansion series: Remilia, Flandre, Sakuya, and Patchouli, each offering their own take on your decisions.
With branching storylines across five narrative chapters, Marisa of Liartop Mountain offers a choice-driven journey through enchanted libraries, strange circuses, scorching deserts, and more. Combat, exploration, and decision-making all play a part, leading to multiple endings depending on the routes you take.
Looking at the YouTube trailer, the combination of tabletop and video game looks really special. We don’t know the age rating yet, but the game supports English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
American Arcadia Coming to All Consoles
We loved American Arcadia when we reviewed it on Steam. Kalina gave it our highest rating, saying in conclusion:
“American Arcadia is a fun, colorful adventure with a sense of humor, clever puzzles, and enough sense of danger to keep you going forward.”
What makes the game extra special is that you control two different characters in two different worlds with unique gameplay. Play as Trevor to flee Arcadia in a 2.5D puzzle-platformer all while exploring and hacking in first person to help him as Angela. Work together to defeat the powerful corporation that is trying to take them down.
Great news then that the game is coming to all consoles on May 15th 2025.
Spellcaster University Coming to Consoles
Spellcaster University, a whimsical wizard school management sim from French indie studio Sneaky Yak Studio, is getting ready to open its doors on consoles this spring. The game has been on Steam for a while, to very positive reviews, and now the magical strategy game arrives digitally on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, and Xbox One on May 2nd, 2025, thanks to Red Art Games.
In Spellcaster University, you’ll build and manage your very own academy for aspiring mages, recruiting students, hiring teachers, customising magical classes, and defending your school from monstrous threats. It’s all wrapped up in a charming, tongue-in-cheek style.
A physical release is also on the way, with two editions launching for Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4. The Standard Edition will hit store shelves on May 23rd for Switch and is also available on other consoles. Meanwhile, collectors might want to grab the Deluxe Edition, exclusive to RedArtGames.com. This limited version (just 300 copies per platform!) includes a special wraparound box sleeve, poster, and a themed keychain.
Moving Out Sale on Steam
Moving Out is a chaotic and hilarious physics-based moving simulator where you and your friends team up to haul furniture, tackle wacky obstacles, and cause absolute mayhem!
Moving Out – 80% off
Moving Out 2 – 50% off
Moving Out 2 (Deluxe Edition) – 50% off
Various DLC for both games at 50-75% off.
James reviewed the second game for us and liked it, saying in conclusion:
“Moving Out 2 is a good game, and I do recommend it, especially with friends or if you’re a parent and want something to enjoy with the younglings. If only moving was at much fun in real life”
Treasure Hunting Fun in Retro Relics
Expected in Q3 2025, Retro Relics will make its way to Steam. The game promises cosy vibes and treasure-hunting adventures in a pixel-perfect sandbox world.
In this story-driven simulation, you’ll explore forests, beaches, and ancient ruins in search of hidden treasures from across the ages. With your trusty metal detector, you can unearth over 100 unique, hand-pixelated artefacts, from shiny coins and jewellery to mysterious relics and even discarded modern trash. And of course, after finding something, you also have to chip away to reveal the treasure.
But there’s more than just treasure to discover. You’ll meet locals like a sad dog owner, an eccentric hunter, and a curious archaeologist who needs help deciphering ruins. Every mission adds depth to the world and lets you help others along the way. Plus, if you’re an animal lover, you’ll be happy to hear that the more trash you clean up, the more animals return to their natural habitats.
Your homestead serves as your base: sell artefacts, decorate your personal museum, upgrade your gear, and take on new missions by email. It’s your slice of peaceful, pixel-art life—with a touch of archaeology and adventure.
Retro Relics seems all the more fun when you realise that solo developer Jonas from Germany is a passionate metal detectorist himself. He has many years of experience in the hobby and many of the relics you can find in the game, he has found myself in real life!
Want to give it a go? There is a demo out now on Steam.
(Thanks for the tip, sooziq!)
Wind Story Coming to Early Access on Steam
If you’ve read my review about Wind Story on Switch, you’ll know I didn’t like it. I wrote in my conclusion:
“Wind Story has a great description, but sadly, it doesn’t live up to that in any way. This should have gone into Early Access for a much lower price. As it is now, I have no other option but to give a negative verdict.”
I guess the developer is doing it the other way around, as the game is now coming to Early Access on Steam on April 24th. This is a much better place for the game at this stage, I think!
Poof! Cleaning Services Announced
Poof! Cleaning Services is the latest title announced by Serious Sim, the studio behind Radio Commander and Heading Out. This time, you’re trading in high-stakes strategy for rubber gloves and a mop, as you take on the role of a cleaner who has moved abroad to start fresh.
Set to launch in 2026, Poof! Cleaning Services aims to offer a peaceful and satisfying experience. There’s no time pressure, no possibility of failure, just the calming rhythm of cleaning and organising other people’s homes. With rooms full of hidden stories and curiosities, the game encourages you to slow down and enjoy the simple joy of tidying up.
You can check out the first trailer now, giving a glimpse into the cosy, clutter-filled spaces you’ll be transforming. Or are you going to tackle your own real-life spaces first?
Starsand Island Kickstarter Coming
Starsand Island made a return during the Galaxies Gaming Showcase, where developer Seed Lab shared more info about the game and confirmed a 2025 release window on Steam and the Nintendo Switch. The team also launched a Kickstarter campaign to help bring their heartfelt life sim to life.
In Starsand Island, you’ll revisit the island of your childhood and begin a journey of personal healing. Whether you’re farming, fishing, raising animals, or connecting with the island’s quirky residents, the game offers a cozy and calming experience. With deep customisation and DIY building tools, you can shape your island paradise just the way you like, and invite friends to join in the fun.
I must say, with the Ghibli inspiration clear in the graphics, it does look good. Let’s keep an eye on how it actually shapes up in the future!
Do you like our content?
Support LadiesGamers as a member on Patreon!
Or buy us a cup of coffee or tea on Ko-Fi!
