Wholesome Direct, an annual showcase of cute and cozy games, is coming back on Saturday, June 7 at 12PM ET. This is a live event that can be streamed via the official YouTube page or Twitch account. The organizers promise to show off “a vibrant lineup of artistic, uplifting, and emotionally resonant games from developers of all sizes from around the world.”
The YouTube stream link is already available, so feel free to bookmark this page and come back on June 7 just in time for the show. Last year’s stream was a whole lot of fun. One of the cool things about Wholesome Direct is that the organizers typically make several games available for download immediately after the event, though we don’t know which ones will get that sort of VIP treatment this year.
We only know a few of the games that will be covered during the event. There’s an adorable puzzle game called Is This Seat Taken? that tasks players with positioning cute little characters on a bus, in a waiting room or at a restaurant. This one’s actually being released by the event’s publishing arm, Wholesome Games Presents. Another title is called MakeRoom and reminds me of the indie hit Unpacking, but with a focus on designing the perfect room and sharing that creation with friends.
The mobile game Usagi Shima is coming to Steam and is getting a prime spot at Wholesome Direct. This title has players transforming a barren island to make it hospitable to lovable bunnies. Minami Lane is already out for Switch, but is also coming to Steam and will be featured during the livestream. It’s a town management sim that focuses on one street at a time. It’s also extremely easy on the eyes.
Last year’s stream discussed over 30 titles. That leaves plenty of room for cozy surprises. Also, the showcase falls right in the middle of Summer Game Fest, which hosts a group of loosely-affiliated events that begin on June 6.