Wholesome Gaming Round-Up 2025-25

Welcome to our Wholesome gaming news!

This week, we have news about reliving history in Danger in Pompeii, nonogram puzzler Squeakross: Home Squeak Home and Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian announced. Cosy life sim Heidi’s Legacy: Mountains Calling announced, Hotel Galactic coming to Early Access and a VR sequel to The Gardens Between. Release Ruffy and the Riverside near, Spray Paint Simulator coming to Switch and Into the Emberlands coming to Switch. Sandbox exploration with Kity Builder, update 3.0 for Two Point Museum and Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition for consoles and Steam.

Relive History in Danger in Pompeii

Swiss gaming studio DNA Studios is expecting to release their newest game mid July 2025. With Danger in Pompeii, a short adventure puzzle game, you will be able to relive the dramatic final day of the Roman city. You’ll explore Pompeii’s faithfully reconstructed streets, temples, and monuments, like the Grand Theatre and Amphitheatre, while solving unique puzzles and uncovering personal stories from over 60 characters.

Your mission is to decipher the mysterious message of Mercury, help townspeople with quirky problems (including sacred chickens and suspicious actors!), and try to escape the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Along the way, you’ll unlock educational insights created by the experts at Institut le Rosey, blending fun gameplay with fascinating facts.

With 9 quests, 28 learnable insights, and a comic book-style art design based on historical sources, Danger in Pompeii is a family-friendly adventure you can explore at your own pace, complete with multiple save slots so everyone can join the journey.

Nonogram Puzzler Squeakross: Home Squeak Home

In to some cozy creativity? With Squeakross: Home Squeak Home, now available on Nintendo Switch and PC via the Nintendo eShop, Steam, and itch.io might be the cosy game with a clever twist that you need!

Developed by the two-person team at Alblune, this charming puzzle-decorating adventure invites you to solve over 650 nonogram puzzles to earn furniture and decorate your very own rodent residence.

Guided by the ever-helpful Nini, you’ll fill your home one puzzle at a time—earning chairs, carpets, wallpapers, and more as rewards. Whether you’re new to nonograms or a seasoned solver, Squeakross has you covered with a tutorial-friendly setup, optional Logic Assist tools, and more difficult variants in Nini’s Challenges for those seeking an extra test.

Customise your furry friend with different fur patterns, ears, tails, and costumes, and make your rodent house feel like home. The game is fully localised in Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and French, making it a welcoming experience for players around the world.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian Announced

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is the next entry in the beloved Atelier series, and it’s officially set to release on 26th September 2025 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Rather soon after Atelier Yumia! KOEI TECMO Europe and developer GUST revealed the news alongside a first look video featuring commentary from the development team, offering a glimpse into the story, gameplay, and familiar faces returning from previous titles.

In this new adventure, you’ll join alchemist Rias Eidreise and dimensional pathfinder Slade Clauslyter as they explore the mysterious continent of Lantarna. With a mix of exploration, ingredient gathering, and turn-based strategy combat, the game also brings back synthesis at its heart, including a new “Gift Colour Synthesis” system for crafting unique items. You can also look forward to managing a shop, rebuilding a town, and meeting characters from earlier Atelier games like Sophie and Totori.

Looking at the trailer, I am optimistic…Atelier Yumia is a good game, but this Atelier fan wants a bit more depth to synthesising and I love turn based battles!

The game will be available as a fully offline experience with Japanese voice acting and English text. If you buy the physical or digital version within the first two weeks, you will receive bonus outfits and items.

Cosy Life Sim Heidi’s Legacy: Mountains Calling Announced

Heidi’s Legacy: Mountains Calling is an upcoming cosy life sim from indie studio Humble Reeds, coming soon to Steam. In this gentle, narrative-rich game, you’ll step into the role of Adèle, a young woman seeking peace far from the bustle of city life. Taken in by a gruff but kind-hearted old man, you’ll soon find yourself caring for goats, crafting goods, and becoming part of a close-knit alpine village.

Tend to your goats as they graze across meadows, and use their milk and wool to create artisanal products like cheese, warm clothing, and herbal remedies. You’ll trade or share your creations with villagers, helping to restore their homes and lives. As you explore the breathtaking mountain landscape, complete with forests, lakes, and quiet trails, you’ll unlock new skills and uncover hidden parts of the world.

With a story inspired by the themes of the Heidi novels, Heidi’s Legacy: Mountains Calling focuses on community, healing through nature, and shaping the future of a village at your own pace.

Hotel Galactic Coming to Early Access

Hotel Galactic is a cosy and creative management game where you take on the task of restoring a rundown cosmic hotel into a beloved destination for space travellers. With Early Access launching on 24th July 2025, this hand-painted adventure from Ancient Forge invites you to build, customise, and manage every corner of your interstellar inn.

Guided by the ghost of Grandpa Gustav, whose tragic past slowly unfolds, you’ll balance heartfelt storytelling with rich sandbox gameplay. As you design unique hotel layouts, manage resources, and cater to alien guests, your choices will shape the future of your staff, guests, and Gustav himself, all under the watchful eye of the Galactic Peace Corps.

From cultivating alien gardens to researching new technologies and exploring underground secrets, Hotel Galactic offers a magical blend of creativity and strategy. Whether you’re drawn to building elaborate structures or nurturing strange new friendships, this is a journey full of warmth, wonder, and whimsical charm.

If you want to give the game a try, there is a demo currently available on Steam.

VR Sequel To The Gardens Between

Hidden Memories of The Gardens Between is bringing a sequel to the adventure of Arina and Frendt, arriving in a beautifully remastered and expanded version. Set two decades after the original, The Gardens in Between, this new chapter begins as Frendt uncovers Arina’s old diary while packing for a move. Through its pages, you’re taken back into the dreamlike world of The Gardens Between, now seen through Arina’s eyes.

The game offers twice the content of the original, including 40 all-new puzzles designed specifically for immersive VR play. You’ll manipulate time, objects, and memories as you guide the pair through emotional, puzzle-filled landscapes inspired by key moments in their shared past. Expect new tactile interactions—like piecing together toys, painting, or crafting a friendship bracelet—that deepen the emotional storytelling.

Hidden Memories of The Gardens Between brings the charm of the original into a whole new light through VR play. A release date hasn’t been announced yet, but there is a demo available at this moment on Steam.

Release Ruffy and the Riverside Near

German indie studio Zockrates Laboratories, alongside US publisher Phiphen Games, has announced the official release date for Ruffy and the Riverside. The hand-drawn 3D platformer will launch on June 26th, 2025. You’ll be able to join Ruffy’s adventure on PC via Steam and Epic Games, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.

In Ruffy and the Riverside, you wield the magic power of SWAP, using it to Copy & Paste textures within the game world. Turn ice into lava or waterfalls into vines as you ride hay bales, explore, fight, and solve puzzles throughout Riverside. Unleash your imagination in this quirky open-world action game that literally lets you change the world!

When James wrote about the game’s demo, he said, “By the time I finished the demo, Ruffy and the Riverside had left a big smile on my face.” So it’ll be great to see what the final version has in store!

Spray Paint Simulator on Switch

Spray Paint Simulator has already made a splash on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, and now Nintendo Switch players can look forward to jumping in soon, just a little later than originally planned. The game’s release on Switch has been rescheduled for July 22nd.

The delay is a short one, and it comes with good news: the developers are using the extra time to include player feedback and improvements directly into the Switch version from day one.

In their message, Whitethorn tells its audience:

“We know this news is disappointing, and we’re sorry for the added wait. However, we’re doing our best to make it as short as possible and are confident that it will be worth it. We truly appreciate your patience and continued support.”

Into the Emberlands Coming to Switch

Into the Emberlands, the cosy roguelite exploration adventure from Tiny Roar and Daedalic Entertainment, is heading to Nintendo Switch on July 2nd. Paula reviewed the game in Early Access on Steam and felt it was already well worth it. Now this handheld version comes packed with all major updates from the 1.0 release, including expanded biomes, gameplay improvements, and quality-of-life enhancements shaped by community feedback.

Switch players can look forward to exclusive goodies too, like the full set of Lightbearer skins from the Supporter Pack and a brand-new flying platypus companion. As the Lightbearer, you’ll explore mysterious, ever-changing biomes, rescue lost Knacks, and push back the miasma with your lantern, all while enjoying the game’s gentle soundtrack and enchanting art style.

Into the Emberlands is available now for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop, with a 20% launch discount for early adventurers.

Sandbox Eploration with Kity Builder

Pawsitively exciting news for cosy game lovers. Kity Builder is out now on Steam. Developed by Team Kity and published by Parabellum Games, this adorable sandbox exploration game invites you to create charming cities for a community of happy cats, completely free of time limits, resources, or money.

In Kity Builder, you’ll explore whimsical islands, collect blue(paw)prints, and build delightful homes and toys for your “kitizens.” Buildings aren’t just for decoration—they double as playful tools to help you bounce, climb, and explore every hidden corner of the island. Along the way, you’ll meet quirky feline characters, including the ever-helpful Mayor Mewyor.

If you’re looking for a stress-free creative adventure packed with charm, cuddly cats, and a steady stream of cat puns, Kity Builder might just be your purrfect match.

Update 3.0 For Two Point Museum

Two Point Museum is turning up the heat this summer with a brand-new update full of fun and community-requested features! Available now, this free update brings plenty of seasonal goodies to keep your museum bustling through the warmer months.

One of the standout additions is the new Memorial Exhibit system. Now, when a staff member goes missing during an expedition, you’ll receive a fitting tribute item—from plaques to statues—based on their rank and role. You can honour their memory with a dedicated space in your museum, or if that’s not your style, feel free to sell it and move on!

There are also 30 new posters to decorate your café and gift shop, inspired by popular exhibit themes and food brands from across Two Point County. Plus, expeditions have had a big shake-up with an overhauled randomisation system rolling out to select locations, making it easier to find those elusive items without endless retries.

Other quality-of-life improvements include batching workshop items, changes to staff XP and traits, better security, and fixes based directly on community feedback. We already gave Two Point Museum our highest praise, so this will add even more fun!

Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition For Consoles and Steam

Natsume Inc. has announced that Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition is heading to Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 5, and Steam later this year. This enhanced version brings fresh content and beloved characters to the cozy life sim, perfect for fans looking to return to a peaceful village life. You can read more on the official Natsume website.

In this new edition, you’ll help rejuvenate the once-thriving Alba Village by farming, fishing, mining, and forming bonds with its residents. Exclusive to the Special Edition are helpful new inventions from Doc Jr.—like the Hoverbike 5000 and Cleanmeister Autovac—that make daily tasks a breeze. You’ll also enjoy new cutscenes, deepened character interactions, and expanded romance options, including Ella and Dr. Nikolai from Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos.

I really liked The Winds of Anthos, and it felt a bit odd that Natsume chose the route to mobile for their next game, Home Sweet Home. I’m curious to see how this special edition will hold up on consoles when it launches later in the year.