Welcome to our Wholesome gaming news!
This week, we have news about Craftlings, announced by Raw Fury, the cosy woodland survival game Winter Burrow, the cosy puzzle game Cave Hikers and the retro arcade stealth game Super Spy Raccoon. Repair Shop sim Piece by Piece, Meow Moments: Celebrating Renewal & Romance on Switch and a gorgeous artbook with Deluxe Edition for Stars in the Trash. Serene exploration in NAIAD, Toem 2 revealed and Worlds of Aria on Switch. Hidden in My Paradise welcomes a festive Winter update, a wholesome simulation adventure Locomoto announced and other consoles, the physical edition Switch for Gimmick! 2 and a streamlined mode for The Plucky Squire and whimsical point-and-click Asfalia.
Raw Fury Announced Craftlings
Swedish publisher Raw Fury has announced their partnership with ARIANO Games to bring Craftlings to players in 2025. Craftlings will be a colourful and humorous strategy game, and in this vibrant game, you’ll guide quirky creatures to build settlements, automate production, and defend their homes.
A demo for Craftlings is now available on Steam and features a special Winter Challenge Map. With a nostalgic nod to 90s strategy games, Craftlings invites you to explore diverse biomes, from scorching deserts to icy tundras, as you help your Craftlings find a home.
Cosy Woodland Survival Game Winter Burrow
Winter Burrow, a cosy woodland survival game by Pine Creek Games and Noodlecake, is set to launch on Xbox, Game Pass, and Steam in 2025. As part of this year’s Wholesome Snack: The Game Awards Edition showcase, a new gameplay trailer was revealed, offering a first look at new footage.
In Winter Burrow, you play as a mouse returning from the big city to find your childhood home in disrepair—and your Aunt mysteriously missing. The game blends cosy charm with survival elements as you gather resources, craft tools, knit sweaters, bake pies, and make friends with the local woodland creatures.
Exploration is key as you brave a frozen wilderness, fend off insect threats, and solve the mystery of your Aunt’s disappearance. With customizable characters and a fully personalizable burrow, the game invites you to tell your own story at your own pace.
Cave Hikers: Cosy Puzzle Game
Studio Spektar and Porcupine Parkour have launched their cozy puzzle adventure Cave Hikers on Steam for PC. In this charming game, you’ll guide three unique protagonists—warrior Aki, alchemist Valeriano, and mechanic Vuvo—through a cavernous world in search of the mystical “cave with an infinite ceiling.” If you enjoy titles like A Little to the Left, Hidden Folks, or Thank Goodness You’re Here!, this might be a good addition to your library. There is a demo out on Steam if you want to give it a try.
Retro Arcade Stealth Game Super Spy Raccoon
Super Spy Raccoon, a retro arcade stealth game from the studio Slain Mascot, is sneaking its way onto the Nintendo Switch on December 19th. This throwback reimagines stealth gameplay with an early 80s arcade vibe, challenging you to hide, sneak, climb, and leap through enemy territory without being spotted.
The game features five single-screen levels that loop endlessly until you hit a classic arcade “kill screen.” With fast-paced, addictive gameplay, local and global leaderboards, and unlockable suit colours, there’s plenty to keep you coming back for more.
The game is already out on Steam, and has a demo if you want to give it a try!
Repair Shop Sim Piece by Piece
Piece by Piece is a charming-looking repair shop sim coming from the publishing label No More Robots and developer Gamkat. In this game, you inherit your family’s repair shop and lend a helping hand to forest animals that need their treasured items fixed. From family heirlooms to beloved toys, you’ll piece everything back together while managing your bustling little business.
You’ll sweep floors, mix paint, bake cookies, and even tend to plants as you spruce up your store and create a cozy community hub. But don’t let the cuteness fool you—balancing repairs, sales, and profits will keep you on your toes as you make your shop a success. You will be able to personalize your space, connect with neighbours, and enjoy this wholesome experience in 2025. More news on what platforms Piece by Piece is coming to will follow.
Meow Moments: Celebrating Renewal & Romance on Switch
At LadiesGamers, we love searching for hidden animals, like in the Meow Moments games and DLC that have been out on Steam already. Good news if you game on Switch: Meow Moments: Celebrating Renewal & Romance is coming to our favourite handheld! It includes 2 scenes from the Steam game Meow Moments: Celebrating Together.
Get ready for its release on December 12th in the Americas and Asia and on December 23rd in Europe and Australia.
Artbook with Deluxe Edition for Stars in the Trash
The charming hand-drawn adventure Stars in the Trash is out now on Steam! Inspired by classic childhood cartoons, this cozy “catventure” offers around two hours of gameplay and is available for $11.99 on PC, with a 10% discount during the launch period, which ends at December 23rd.
Mina reviewed the game and wrote in conclusion:
“If you like things like the aristocats or the fox and the hound, you will love this game. It feels a lot like playing a Disney movie.”
Check out the Deluxe edition, which includes a soundtrack and a stunning 120+ page artbook at a discounted price. Plus, cat lovers, take note: if you already own Copycat, you’ll get an additional 10% off through the Cathartic Cats Bundle. What a purr-fect opportunity!
Serene Exploration in NAIAD
NAIAD, has just been released on Steam, Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5 and Xbox One and Xbox Series. Are you in the mood for a serene exploration adventure? Paula definitely was, as she awarded the game our highest rating of Two Thumbs Up in her review.
NAIAD invites you to immerse yourself in a colourful, minimalist journey along a mysterious river. As you flow with Naiad, you’ll interact with charming wildlife and uncover little secrets hidden in lush environments. With its original visual style and a wholesome atmosphere, NAIAD offers a tranquil escape for players. The game features a unique swimming mechanic, letting you move like a duck, dive like a fish, and dash like a frog while befriending creatures like butterflies, turtles, and even crocodiles. Across 16 beautifully designed episodes, you’ll travel through diverse settings, from peaceful springs and dense forests to tranquil lakes and mysterious caves, culminating in a journey to the sea.
Toem 2 Revealed
When Mina reviewed Toem in 2021, she felt it was sweet, adorable, funny and full of fun and interesting NPCs to meet and take photos of. She gave it Two Thumbs Up and wrote in conclusion: “The world may be in black and white, but it’s lovingly detailed and wonderfully rendered. The music is wonderful and there are a lot of thoughtful details to make players love it even more.”
Good news then that the sequel is coming with Toem 2. The game is still in development, and is targeting a 2025 release on PC and consoles.
Worlds of Aria on Switch
When James reviewed comedic co-op fantasy adventure Worlds of Aria lands on Steam, he gave it our highest rating, saying:
“Worlds of Aria does a brilliant job of recreating the tabletop RPG experience while maintaining its own personality. It’s an enjoyable game on your own, but it becomes absolutely fantastic when shared with friends. With simple mechanics and accessible gameplay, it’s easy for players of all skill levels to jump in and have fun.
What really sets Worlds of Aria apart is its ability to make even failure fun. Whether you’re succeeding or stumbling through challenges, there are always laughs and memorable moments to be had. The game’s charm, coupled with its tabletop-inspired mechanics, makes it a must-play, especially if you have friends or family to join in.
Even better, the developers have included a “friend pass” for online play, allowing your friends to join without even needing to own the game themselves. This makes Worlds of Aria an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a new multiplayer experience.”
The good news then is that the game is coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, 2025!
Hidden in My Paradise Welcomes a Festive Winter Update
Hidden in My Paradise, the cosy hidden-object game by Mexico-based developer Ogre Pixel is getting into the holiday spirit with a free Winter update available now! Join budding photographer Laly and her fairy friend Coronya for a magical adventure in a snow-dusted wonderland.
Explore six new winter-themed levels brimming with holiday cheer. From cosy log cabins to frozen igloos, you’ll uncover colourful lights, fluffy critters, and heaps of beautifully wrapped presents. Peek behind ice sculptures, unwrap surprises and tick off Coronya’s wish list as you search for hidden treasures.
Capture the season’s charm in Snap missions by arranging animals, gifts, and festive decor to create picture-perfect memories. Dive into Sandbox mode to build your own snowy paradise using over 200 new holiday-themed items, unlockable through the in-game Gacha machine.
Celebrate the season by sharing your creations with the global cosy gaming community. Whether you’re uncovering secrets or crafting your own winter wonderland, Hidden in My Paradise has everything you need for a holly jolly time!
Wholesome Simulation Adventure Locomoto Announced
Green Tile Digital has announced Locomoto, a cosy life simulation adventure all about the magic of train travel. Coming to Steam in 2025, Locomoto lets you take the conductor’s seat and turn your train into something truly your own while exploring a charming, lo-fi world full of interesting characters and stories.
You’ll start with a humble little train and get to design and decorate it just the way you like, crafting furniture and decorations from resources you gather. Whether it’s a comfy lounge car or a fancy dining carriage, the choice is yours!
As you travel, you’ll meet passengers and locals, uncover their stories, and open up new destinations along the way. The game blends train management, crafting, and relationship-building (just what we love in a game) into a chill experience where you can play at your own pace. With a soothing lo-fi soundtrack and a day/night cycle that keeps the vibes fresh, Locomoto is all about relaxing and having fun.
Other Consoles Physical Edition Switch for Gimmick! 2
As James stated in his review for Gimmick! 2, which was released last September:
“Gimmick! 2 is everything a sequel to the original classic should be. It takes the core elements that made the first game special and builds on them with refined graphics, improved level design, and a charming presentation that outshines the original in every way. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel or introduce groundbreaking new ideas, it does what it sets out to do exceptionally well. This is an easy recommendation for fans of retro platformers, and I’d even go as far as to recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good gaming experience.”
Good news then that the game will be released on PlayStation and Xbox next January 30th, and plus Limited Run Games is bringing us a physical Nintendo Switch copy of the game. Pre-orders for the Collector’s Edition of Gimmick! 2 will open on 17th December.
Streamlined Mode for The Plucky Squire
The Plucky Squire, developed by All Possible Futures and published by Devolver Digital, has received a free update introducing a Streamlined Mode for experienced adventurers. This new mode trims dialogue reduces hints and minimizes tutorials for a more independent gameplay experience while still preserving the charm of Jot’s dimension-hopping journey through the Land of Mojo.
The update also includes classy dialogue portraits for key characters, bug fixes, and minor improvements. The Streamlined Mode is available now on Steam, with a console release coming soon.
Whimsical Point-and-Click Asfalia
Belgian developer Funtomata has announced the release of Asfalia: Fear, arriving on January 14th, 2025. This whimsical point-and-click adventure turns childhood fears into a delightful storybook world filled with puzzles, friendly characters, and fun exploration. It’s designed for gamers of all ages, combining storytelling, problem-solving, and hand-drawn charm.
Asfalia: Fear will be available on Steam for PC and Mac, priced at $7.99, with a week-long 20% launch discount. You can also bundle it with the first game, Asfalia: Anger, to save an additional 15%. There’s a demo on Steam if you want to give it a try, and you can see the gameplay in the the trailer below.
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