Ooblets and a whole lot more.
For every naysayer out there saying gaming is awash in brown, beige, and black, there’s 55 or so non-shooty games that are eye-popping in their colour.
The Wholesome Direct – Indie Game Showcase presented a stunning mix of games that are “less violent, less stressful, and less bleak” today in what might just be the best replacement for E3 in a pandemic riddled world. Victoria Tran, Communications Director for Kitfox Games, says “wholesome games are unique because they focus solely on mastery, self reflection, and connectedness” and that is certainly highlighted in the games we saw featured today.
The 37 minute showcase focused on games available now through 2021 and included titles like Button City, Ooblets, Chicory, Mondo Museum, KeyWe, Later Daters, and beyond. Many of the releases feature animals as central to the game while sims of varying sorts filled up much the rest of the roster, though categorizing 55 games into two (or three, or four) broad columns is a fools’ errand.
Specific releases will be on PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, so there’s something for everyone available soon.
As a specific nod to accessibility the broadcast was subtitled in six different languages including English, Portugese, Dutch, French, German, and Spanish.
A full list of games spotlighted will be available on the Wholesome Games website.