It’s a busy week in the wholesome world of games, and whether you’re after something brand new, a bargain, or a peek at what’s coming next, there’s plenty to get excited about. For me, the update announcement for Animal Crossing New Horizons was the highlight: so much to tell that it got its own article. So read all about that here.
In other news: you can now dive into Fading Serenades, explore the magical halls of Whimel Academy, or run your own cosy bookshop in Shelf by Shelf. If you’re hunting for deals, Tiny Echo is going for a song at 90% off, and Cities: Skylines II is also on sale. Both Asfalia games are now available on Switch and looking for a good demo: the demo for Unpetrified is updated ahead of launch.
Looking ahead, there’s a fresh wave of announcements to keep on your radar. Edenfall: Legacy of the First Wardens has just been revealed, Sheepherds! has a release date, and Duck Detective: Ghost Glamping is waddling its way to mobile. You’ll also meet Pichu in Golden Retriever Simple Life, Viewfinder is heading to Switch, and Timberborn is nearly ready to leave Early Access with its big 1.0 launch.
Let’s break it all down!
Fading Serenades is Out on Steam!
Fading Serenades, the latest release from Vienna-based solo dev Bernie Wick, is out now on Steam for Windows and Mac. You can grab it for $9.99 (or your local equivalent), with a 10% launch discount during its first week.
You’ll step into the shoes of Callum, a young courier exploring the quiet charm of Clifford’s Island. It looks like a colourful, top-down adventure with cosy vibes and a nostalgic twist—perfect if you’re after something self-paced and story-rich. As you hike, jump and balance your way through movement-based mini-games, you’ll meet quirky islanders, deliver odd parcels, and uncover gentle mysteries tucked into the landscape.
Expect a backpack that’s always a bit too full, characters who warm up over time, and a world that invites you to slow down and reflect. If you’re into heartfelt indie games with personality, Fading Serenades might just be your next relaxing pick.
Updated Demo for Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature
Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature is nearly here: mark your calendar for 11 November when it officially launches. If you’ve tried the demo, you’ll know it’s lovely just like our writer Soozi mentioned in her impressions article.
And there’s good news: a fresh patch just dropped to bring it closer to the full experience.
You’ll notice the Golem moves faster now, visuals have had a tidy-up, and performance has been smoothed out. Plus, over 100 minor bugs have been squashed, making the demo feel more polished than ever.
It’s a great time to jump back in and get ready for the full adventure.
Both Asfalia Games Out on Switch
Asfalia: The Cranky Volcano and Asfalia: Panic at the Mansion are out now on the Nintendo eShop, inviting you into a heartfelt world shaped by young Charlie’s emotions. These narrative adventures blend whimsical puzzles, charming characters, and a hand-drawn storybook style into a family-friendly journey about courage, friendship, and helping others.
You’ll find The Cranky Volcano for $9.99 and Panic at the Mansion for $14.99 (regional pricing may vary). Demos and pre-sales kicked off on 2 October 2025, and while The Cranky Volcano runs on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Panic at the Mansion currently supports only the original Switch.
Originally known as Asfalia: Anger and Asfalia: Fear on Steam, both games have been renamed and rebranded to better reflect their warm, accessible tone, though the stories and gameplay you’ll experience remain just as they were.
Edenfall: Legacy of the First Wardens Announced
Edenfall: Legacy of the First Wardens is the debut title from Austrian studio Everflux Games, and it looks like a colourful, atmospheric adventure with a heartfelt twist. Launching on PC via Steam in 2026, this single-player action-adventure puts you in the shoes of Venya, a young heroine with magical powers and the rare ability to shapeshift into a wolf, raccoon, or raven.
You’ll explore a hand-crafted world that’s been overrun by corruption, using each form’s unique movement and combat style to fight back and restore balance. Along the way, you’ll uncover your people’s past, unlock new combos, and meditate at sacred spots to help Venya find inner peace.
If you’re curious to try it early, a free demo is available now on Steam. It gives you a taste of the shapeshifting mechanics, magical combat, and the emotional journey ahead. Whether you’re calling your pack as a wolf or gliding through the skies as a raven, Edenfall invites you to heal a broken world, starting with yourself.
Release Date for Sheepherds!
Sheepherds! is coming to Steam on November 10th! The full version of Sheepherds! will give players access to all 24 maps, 19 different dog breeds, and 24 silly outfits to show your unique paw-sinality while you herd fluffy sheep to collect their colourful wool. Alongside the full game, an additional Supporter’s Pack DLC with additional goodies and the Sheepherds! original soundtrack (OST) will be available.
Sheepherds! is a colourful co-op game that’s all about herding fluffy sheep and having a laugh with your friends. You’ll play as a lively sheepdog (or maybe even a pig), collecting wool, dressing up in silly outfits, and bouncing through vibrant maps with zero stress and plenty of charm.
Whimel Academy 1.0 Release
Whimel Academy is a cozy life sim time management game about a witch or wizard student pursuing their education at the prestigious Whimel Academy. It’s been out in Early Access for a year now, and got an I LIke it a Lot from our writer Kalina.
As students at Whimel Academy, your main goal is to graduate successfully within six in-game years. It’s a game that sucks you in quite easily and keeps you occupied for quite some time. This definite 1.0 version might just be the time for you to dive in!
Tiny Echo 90% Off
Have you ever fancied being a postie for the spirit world? If so, Tiny Echo has been out for a long while, but is now 90% off in the Halloween Sale. Developed by Swedish studio Might and Delight, this hand-drawn game invites you to guide Emi, a quiet courier, through a whimsical, otherworldly landscape. You’ll deliver messages to quirky spirits, solve gentle puzzles, and soak in a wordless story that unfolds at your own pace.
It looks like a colourful, meditative game, perfect if you’re after something calm and atmospheric. The soundtrack by Mount West adds to the dreamlike feel, making it easy to lose yourself in its strange but soothing world.
Be quick, because the offer on Sale ends on November 3rd, 2025.
Duck Detective: Ghost Glamping on Mobile
Indie studio Happy Broccoli Games are bringing the second installment of their hit series Duck Detective to mobile. Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping will waddle onto Android and iOS on November 27th.
The game launched on PC last May, when Mina gave it our highest rating, saying:
“If you liked The Secret Salami, you will love Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping. If you haven’t played The Secret Salami yet, play that one first. This one picks up with the story from the end of the previous one, so there are some characters you won’t know unless you finished the first one. I was super sad when Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping ended; I think this episode was too short.”
Duck Detective: Ghost Glamping will be free to start, with a one off purchase unlocking the full game.
Meet Pichu in Golden Retriever Simple Life
If you’ve ever dreamed of spending your days with a golden retriever, Golden Retriever Simple Life might be just the thing. Created by Pablo Coma of Belgian indie studio Rablo Games, this cosy pet sim stars his real-life dog, Pichu, not a 3D model, but the actual pup, captured in heartwarming everyday moments!
You’ll feed, train, and play with your furry friend, explore new walking spots, and teach tricks at your own pace. It looks like a gentle, video-driven experience where you manage your time, balance your dog’s happiness and obedience, and enjoy the simple joys of companionship.
The announcement trailer and Steam page are live now, so you can wishlist Golden Retriever Simple Life and start planning your wholesome dog days. Meanwhile, you can check out the trailer here.
Run a Bookshop in Shelf by Shelf
If you love books and find joy in tidying up, Shelf by Shelf looks like a cosy treat. This simulation game invites you to run your own bookshop, arranging shelves just how you like and growing from a snug reading corner into a bustling literary haven.
You’ll sort books by genre, decorate your space with elegant furniture and quirky touches, and fulfil requests from locals and book clubs. It’s all about creating a warm, welcoming shop that reflects your style.
With soft visuals, gentle pacing, and hidden surprises to uncover, Shelf by Shelf offers a relaxing way to spend your time, one shelf at a time.
Viewfinder Coming to Switch
Viewfinder, the award-winning puzzle adventure from Sad Owl Studios and Thunderful, lands on Nintendo Switch on 3rd December. Mina already reviewed the game on Steam and gave it our highest rating. She also made guides to help you through the game!
You’ll step into a vibrant, mysterious world where photos, paintings, and sketches aren’t just decoration—they reshape the environment around you. It looks like a colourful, mind-bending experience that plays with perspective in clever, evolving ways, keeping you on your toes with every new puzzle.
As you explore, you’ll uncover a thoughtful story that touches on change, connection, and loss, woven into a world that feels both surreal and strangely familiar.
Cities: Skylines II on Sale
In Cities: Skylines II you can raise a city from the ground up and transform it into a thriving metropolis with the most realistic city builder ever. With deep simulation and a living economy, this is world-building without limits.
If you want to give this game a try, you can now do so because it’s on sale on Steam: 20% off until November 12th.
Timberborn Gearing Up for the 1.0 Release
Timberborn is gearing up for its big moment: the full 1.0 release is just around the corner, landing soon on PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store. If you already own the game, you can dive into the experimental build right now and get a taste of what’s coming.
You’re looking at a colourful city-builder with a twist, beavers are in charge, and they’ve come a long way over four years of Early Access. With seven major updates under their belt, the devs have shaped Timberborn hand-in-hand with the community, and version 1.0 should feel like a celebration of that journey.
Expect fresh features like geothermal fields for extra energy, unstable cores that explode and reshape the terrain, and new water mechanics that let you play around with the game’s 3D physics. Two new maps—Pressure and Oasis—show off the quirky new gameplay loops you’ll be able to explore.
Modding looks easier than ever thanks to new templates, and you’ll spot visual tweaks and handy improvements like building duplication. Fan favourites such as spiral stairs and customisable banners have made the cut too. Wanna join the Bevers? Check out the trailer here.
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