If you’re craving cosy vibes, curious puzzles, and a dash of whimsy, this week’s Wholesome Gaming Round-Up is packed with treats. From heartfelt cleaning sims to quirky dungeon crawlers, there’s something for every kind of player, and plenty of demos to dive into.
You can now try the demos of the relaxing idler Little Aviary, the eco-friendly Clean Up Earth, the snowy thrills in the Sledding Game and Mazey Village.
Already released are the dungeon crawler Lord Ambermaze, puzzle platformer Forgotten Fragments, Harvest Island 2.0 returns with a fresh remaster and Preserve spreads its nature-loving charm to mobile.
Upcoming are Vacation Cafe Simulator, which opens its doors for playtesters, ILA: A Frosty Glide has locked in its release date, Detective Dotson is heading to Switch with Bollywood flair, and Starsand Island is set to launch early next year. Plus, the rebranded Asfalia tales bring fairy-tale adventures to Switch, and Undusted: Letters from the Past promises ASMR-style cleaning with emotional depth.
Let’s take a closer look!
Demo for idler Little Aviary
Developer Rock Bottom Games from Belfast is set to bring us idler Little Aviary. The game looks like a colourful, low-effort bird collector that quietly perches at the bottom of your screen.
You hatch birds, breed the best birds to maximise profit, and decorate their home while they flutter across your desktop and settle on top of other windows on your PC.
With over 50 species to discover, each with fun facts attached, it looks like a gentle mix of idle gameplay and light learning. You’ll also get a real-time day/night cycle and the freedom to move the aviary wherever you like.
Little Aviary will be released this year on Steam, but you can already play the demo now!
Remaster Harvest Island 2.0
Harvest Island, the eerie farming sim from indie studio Yobob Games, is getting a remaster—and you’re invited to help shape it. Should be interesting, as we already gave the original game an I Like it a Lot, as you can read here.
The 2025 roadmap is already underway, with phase one introducing things like dynamic lighting and a deeper storyline for Becky. There’s still plenty more to come, and if you fancy playtesting, you can sign up via the official Yobob Games Discord or by email.
Harvest Island is a colourful game with a dark heart. You’ll be watering crops, collecting eggs, and catching fish for the gods, all while unravelling a mysterious tale. Expect maze-like terrain, hidden caves, and odd discoveries like vending machines tucked away in underground beach rooms. Your dad’s evasive answers and your sister’s suspicions hint at something sinister beneath the surface. If you’re up for a story-rich adventure with horror twists and farming charm, Harvest Island 2.0 might be one to watch in 2025.
Whimsical Dungeon Crawler Lord Ambermaze
Lord Ambermaze, the whimsical dungeon crawler from HeroCraft PC and Potata Company, has launched on Steam and GOG. If you’ve tried the demo like Margaret did, you’ll know what you’re in for: the full adventure is ready for you to dive into.
It looks like a quirky puzzle-first game where the world only moves when you do. You’ll start on a peaceful fishing trip, but things quickly spiral into a tactical quest to rescue your sister from the mysterious Lord Ambermaze. Expect carnivorous plums, exploding pumpkins, and mutant wasps along the way.
You’ll explore eight handcrafted levels packed with traps, secrets, and turn-based combat that rewards clever thinking over quick reflexes. There’s romance, treasure hunting, and plenty of oddball mini-games, from Sokoban puzzles to logic trials. If you’re after something with charm, challenge, and a touch of chaos, Lord Ambermaze is out now and comes with a bonus art book and soundtrack for those who want to soak up the atmosphere.
Demo for Clean Up Earth, a Cozy Cleaning Sim
To mark World Cleanup Day, Magic Pockets has dropped the first playable PC demo of Clean Up Earth, a cosy cleaning sim where you restore polluted landscapes with a futuristic gadget called the Terra Cleaner. You’ll explore everything from snowy peaks to tropical beaches, either solo, with up to 7 friends in co-op, or on shared maps with over 30 players.
It’s a colourful, relaxing game with a customisable cleaning tool and a new restoration mechanic that lets you repair structures and unlock fresh areas. As you progress, you’ll earn upgrades to tackle tougher environments.
A Kickstarter campaign is on the way to help expand the experience, and you can sign up now to be notified when it launches. Clean Up Earth is set to release on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store in Q1 2026, with console dates to follow. Check out the new trailer here!
Open Playtest for Vacation Cafe Simulator
The Summer is over, but if you could do with a laid-back escape, Vacation Cafe Simulator might be just the ticket. Set in a picturesque Italian coastal town, this cozy management game invites you to run your dream cafe at your own pace. No timers, no stress, just good vibes and a virtual cup of espresso.
It looks like a warm and immersive experience where you’ll cook iconic dishes like pizza and pasta through intuitive mini-games, decorate your space, and explore the local surroundings by Vespa. You’ll even get to dive for fresh ingredients and interact with adorable cats along the way.
An open playtest kicks off on Steam from 24 September, giving you a first taste before launch. Vacation Cafe Simulator is coming soon to PC via Steam, with co-op options available if you fancy sharing the experience with friends.
Demo for Sledding Game
If you fancy sledding with friends and a bit of silly fun, Sledding Game might be right up your alley. Made by solo dev Max—aka The Sledding Corporation. It’s a light-hearted multiplayer game all about crashing, chatting, and chilling together.
The first demo lands on Steam on September 25th, and it looks like a playful slice of wintery chaos. You’ll be able to sledge with up to 20 people, race, build ramps, and unwind with mini games like fishing, darts, curling, and marshmallow roasting. Proximity chat keeps things social, and there’s a heap of customisation too, think hats, scarves, goggles, and trinkets. And there’s a Yeti in there, too!
Check out the trailer!
Preserve is on Mobile Too
We loved Preserve when it was released on Steam and Switch, as you can read in Lynne’s conclusion:
“Preserve has it all: chill out in Creative mode; test your designer skills in Classic mode; or be bamboozled in Puzzle mode. Wallow in the lovely graphics as you create beautiful landscapes and populate them with delightful creatures.”
Preserve is now available on Mobile as well, bringing the cozy puzzle experience to your fingertips on the go! You can download Preserve for free on the Google Play Store and App Store, and start exploring the relaxing puzzles and lush environments right away.
For those who want even more, additional biomes are available for a small, symbolic price, giving you new areas to explore and enjoy at your own pace.
Puzzle Platformer Forgotten Fragments
Forgotten Fragments has officially landed on Steam. If you’re after a stylish puzzle-platformer with a retro twist, this one looks like a colourful challenge worth your time.
You’ll jump, climb, and dodge your way through 120 handcrafted levels packed with peril—think spikey traps, shifting platforms, and torch-lighting puzzles that test your aim and timing. Whether you’re flying solo or teaming up in co-op, you’ll explore four distinct worlds per campaign, each with its own story and secrets to uncover.
In single-player, you follow Enid’s journey to recover the forgotten fragments. Prefer company? Grab a friend and dive into the co-op campaign with Ryder and Dayen. Both modes offer unique levels, so there’s plenty to sink your teeth into.
Look forward to a review on LadiesGamers.com by James!
Demo for Mazey Village
Mazey Village has a demo up for Steam Next Fest and a brand-new trailer, inviting you to dive into a cosy puzzle adventure from Belgian indie studio Slappy Inc.
It looks like a heartwarming town-restoration game where a tornado has scattered homes, pets, and belongings across maze-like lands. Your job? Slide tiles, solve puzzles, and bring the village back to life—one lost item at a time.
You’ll meet friendly villagers, pet cows, and even befriend penguins as you rebuild and customise homes with furniture, gardens, and charming details. Daily quests keep things fresh, offering new challenges and unlockable goodies like outfits and cosmetics. Shops and trades add a personal touch, letting you match items to each character’s personality.
ILA: A Frosty Glide Release Date on Steam and Consoles
ILA: A Frosty Glide lands on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5 on 20 October.
You’ll play as Ila, a warm-hearted witch-in-training on a heartfelt quest to find her missing cat, Coco. Guided by dreamlike visions and armed with a skatebroom, you’ll glide through a snowy island filled with Scandinavian charm, uncovering secrets and solving gravity-defying platform puzzles along the way.
It looks like a colourful game with gentle pacing, letting you explore at your own rhythm. You can customise Ila’s look with hats, capes, and upgraded skatebrooms, all while soaking in a dynamic original soundtrack by Joaquim Scandurra that evolves with your journey.
If you’re after a wholesome adventure with a touch of mystery and a lot of heart, ILA: A Frosty Glide is one to look out for.
Detective Dotson Coming to Switch
Detective Dotson is bringing Bollywood flair to your mystery-solving this autumn, launching on the Nintendo eShop on 30 October 2025. When Kalina reviewed it on Steam, she gave it our highest rating, saying: “If you are interested in Indian culture, like detective games, and like coziness, you should definitely try it”
You’ll step into the shoes of Dotson, a wannabe movie star turned amateur sleuth, as he investigates his father’s murder across the bustling streets of small-town India. It looks like a vibrant, side-scrolling adventure packed with humour, heart, and Desi charm—perfect if you’re a fan of Professor Layton or Phoenix Wright, but fancy something with a fresh cultural twist.
Expect to solve four quirky cases, chat with colourful locals who love a good trade, and piece together clues on a drag-and-drop evidence board. The game’s stylised pixel art and layered 3D backdrops give it a warm, playful feel, and with a breezy 3–4 hour runtime, it’s ideal for a cosy weekend mystery.
Detective Dotson is on sale now on Steam if you want to check it out earlier, but be quick, it’s only for this weekend!
Starsand Island Release Date
Starsand Island is setting sail for PC and consoles on 1 February 2026, bringing a cosy, anime-inspired life sim to your screen. If you’re dreaming of a peaceful escape, you’ll want to mark your calendar—and maybe wishlist it on Steam while you’re at it.
You’ll play as a city-dweller returning to your childhood island, ready to farm, fish, raise animals, and explore ancient ruins as you reconnect with nature and quirky locals. It looks like a gentle, heartfelt experience with plenty of charm and creativity, letting you build your dream home, whether that’s a grand manor or a snug little cottage, and decorate it inside and out.
Expect deep character customisation, from facial features to fashion, plus a construction system that lets you shape your ideal life solo or with friends. A demo drops on 8 October ahead of Steam Next Fest (13–20 October), and a closed alpha test is also on the horizon for select players.
Two Asfalia Tales Coming to Switch
Great news! Asfalia: The Cranky Volcano and Asfalia: Panic at the Mansion are now available to pre-order on the Nintendo eShop, priced at € 9,99 and € 14,99 respectively. You’ll be able to try both games from 2 October 2025, with demos launching alongside pre-sales.
These whimsical narrative adventures invite you into a world shaped by Charlie’s emotions, where you’ll solve puzzles, collect stickers, and meet quirky characters in a beautifully hand-drawn setting. It looks like a heartfelt, storybook-style experience that blends humour, friendship, and courage, perfect for players aged 7 to 77.
Mina reviewed Asfalia: Fear as Asfalia: Panic was called on Steam, and gave it our highest rating, saying: “It felt like playing a higher-quality cartoon with excellent voice acting, fun dialogue, and even more fun sound design. There were a whole bunch of characters to meet, and each of them was interesting and unique. The world, the backgrounds, the flora and fauna of Asfalia made it feel like a real world.”
The Cranky Volcano will run on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, while Panic at the Mansion is currently only compatible with the original Switch. Originally released on Steam under different names (Asfalia: Fear and Asfalia: Anger), both titles have been rebranded to better reflect their family-friendly tone, with gameplay and story remaining unchanged.
ASMR-style Cleaning in Undusted: Letters from the Past
Undusted: Letters from the Past is coming to Steam on 13 October 2025, with a Nintendo Switch release following on 16 October. If you love the quiet satisfaction of restoration videos, this cosy cleaning sim might be right up your alley.
You’ll play as Adora, returning to her childhood home after her mother’s passing. As you gently clean and restore old family keepsakes, you’ll uncover fragments of forgotten memories and piece together a heartfelt story. It looks like a calming experience, with lo-fi visuals and ASMR-style audio that make every brushstroke feel meaningful.
Expect a mix of tactile gameplay, emotional storytelling, and vibrant 2D/3D art that invites you to slow down and reflect. If you’re after something soothing and sentimental, Undusted is ready to be wish-listed.
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