Wholesome Direct certainly isn’t the biggest or most high-profile of the June gaming showcases, but it IS stuffed with upcoming indie gems. And, organised by the Wholesome Games team (make sure to follow them on Twitter at the very least), the emphasis is on cosy, cute and inclusive titles that provide low-stress and/or soul-soothing gaming experiences for players of all types. And you can never have too much of that.

The 2023 edition of Wholesome Direct took place this past weekend, and was no different from previous years in terms of delivering exclusive footage and announcements from dozens of indie games. You can watch the entire hour-long showcase below; then check out the special Steam event page to see all the spotlighted games, wishlist your favourites, and even play demos for some of them.

Before we jump into our standouts from Wholesome Direct 2023, it’s interesting to note the apparent current trends in cosy games, whether it be subject matter or gameplay style. In 2023, farming and life sim games in the Stardew Valley mould remain as popular as ever – now often adding a magic or potions brewing component. However, also enjoying a strong showing this year are titles with frog and mushroom protagonists, like Frogsong and Smushi Come Home (both out right now). Meanwhile, several gardening games are in the works, like Botany Manor, Garden Life, Garden Buddies, and Window Garden.

Updates on already announced games

As for already announced games we’ve been keeping an eye on, there were updates on several projects:

Venba, which combines an exploration of the 1980s Indian immigrant experience and cooking simulator, finally has a release date. The game is launching on PC, PS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and the Xbox Game Pass service on 31 July.

There was also a new mini trailer, spotlighting gameplay for rhythm platformer A Highland Song, which comes from inkle, the creators of narrative-led games 80 Days, Overboard! and Heaven’s Vault. A Highland Song also now has a broad release date window of 2023, so we’ll be able to explore the rugged Scottish countryside before the end of this year on PC and Switch.

Still on matters of release dates, Max Inferno, the makers of organisational puzzle hit A Little to the Left (our review), have revealed the drop date for their Cupboards & Drawers expansion: 27 June. You can play A Little to the Left on PC and Switch.

Oh, and one of our favourite ever indie games Unpacking is coming to mobile devices later this year.

Notable showcase standouts

For anyone who has dreamed of packing it all in and heading to the coast to start a more emotionally rewarding life, Tiny Bookshop, from Neoludic Games, offers the ultimate wish fulfillment. In the game, you move to the picturesque town of Bookstonbury-by-the Sea, where you run a portable book store, help out the locals, solve mysteries, enjoy the scenery, and become part of the town’s story. The plan is to bring Tiny Bookshop to PC , Mac, SteamOS, and iOS. Wishlist on Steam here.

Still on matters of building a small business, with a heavy dose of nostalgia, there’s Sticky Business from Spellgarden games. In this cosy simulation, you design, manufacture and sell stickers, optimising production, unlocking upgrades to make your offering more exciting, and learning about your customers at the same time. Sticky Business should be out sometime this year. Wishlist on Steam and try the demo now.

We were instantly sold on exploratory adventure-life sim Kibu when we saw the adorable red panda protagonist, and the game’s feudal Japanese setting. As a solitary monk you must build a temple, brew delicious teas, and journey into the beautiful and mysterious wilds to seek out ancient spirits and overcome hostile forces. Kibu comes from Omno’s Studio Inkyfox, and you can wishlist it here.

We’re not normally hooked by train sims and routing games in general, but Station to Station has a stunning voxel art style that makes it look like a children’s toy set, or something out of a storybook. The game is the debut release from Galaxy Grove, and promises a mix of minimalism, relaxation and strategy. Wishlist Station to Station, which is planned for 2023 release, and try the demo here.

The Star Named EOS is the next game from Silver Lining Studio, the makers of Behind the Frame. In this first person narrative puzzle adventure, you help a young photographer uncover the truth about his mother’s disappearance through a combination of item interactions, and the ability to capture photos and experience the moments held within them. The Star Named EOS blends hand-animated visuals with narrative-focused puzzle mechanics. Wishlist and download the demo here.