The Wholesome Snack showcase has returned just in time for The Game Awards 2022 and is once again shining the light on a group of wonderful indie games that all aim to make you smile and have a great time.
From a stunning game set on Jupiter's moon to an adorable adventure starring a wolf cub and a fawn to a game that celebrates New Caledonia while also letting you soul jump into animals and objects, there was a wide range of genres on display that are all worth a look. If that wasn't good enough, many of these games have demos you can try right now.
We've gathered each and every announcement and trailer from Wholesome Snack: The Game Awards Edition below to ensure you don't miss a thing.
As a newly minted Mail Scout, Mail Time has you journeying all over Grumblewood Grove to deliver important mail to the forest animals that call this place home. To accomplish this goal, you'll have to do light platforming around the forest to reach each destination. Oh, and you get a bee friend who will help you along the way.
Mail Time will be released in April 2023 on Switch, PS5, PS4, and PC via Steam. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
Mineko's Night Market got a new trailer at the Whole Snack showcase and it showed more of the narrative-driven, social simulation adventure that celebrates all things Japan. In the adorable-looking game, players can expect to solve a mystery, "craft crafts," "eat eats," "cat cats," "befriend and barter," and much more.
Mineko's Night Market will be released in 2023 on Switch and PC via Steam. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
A Most Extraordinary Gnome looks like it was pulled straight out of a fancy art class. The storybook design stands out as soon as you see it in action, and it looks to follow the titular gnome who can use his hat as a weapon on wild adventures through the forest.
A Most Extraordinary Gnome is now available on PC via Steam.
Spirittea looks to explore the challenge of writing a book and finding inspiration in video game form. It's a life-sim and management game that lets you help out a town of people and mythical creatures and spirits while also allowing you to partake in such hobbies as bug catching, karaoke, fishing, and more.
Spirittea will be released in early 2023 on Steam and Nintendo Switch, and it will also be available on Game Pass at launch.
Fae Farm is a fantasy farm sim RPG that lets you and your friends build that beautiful, whimsical farm of your dreams. Fae Farm puts players onto the island of Azoria and, alongside farming, tasks players with collecting materials, crafting enchanted treasures, brewing delicious tea, and so much more.
Fae Farm will be released on PC and Steam in Q2 2023.
Way to the Woods is a gorgeous game that casts you as the most unlikeliest of heroes - a deer and their fawn. Explore a seemingly abandoned world, help your child survive, and find your way home together.
Way to the Woods will be released in March 2023 on PC via Steam and Game Pass.
Tchia is a beautiful open-world adventure game inspired by New Caledonia's landscapes, music, languages, folklore, and traditions. Furthermore, its fantastical world has been filled with iconic landmarks and native animals from New Caledonia and local talent will voice the characters in local languages. Throughout the adventure, players will be able to soul jump into any animal or object they choose to help solve puzzles, discover secrets, and more.
Tchia will be released in Early 2023 on PC, PS5, and PS4.
Loddlenaut is an underwater adventure that stars an interstellar custodian who is doing their best to clean a polluted ocean planet of all the trash that has sadly overtaken it. As you work to clean the ocean, you will be able to interact and befriend adorable alien wildlife.
Loddlenaut will be released on PC via Steam in September 2023. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
Blanc is an 'artistic cooperative adventure' that stars a wolf cub and a fawn that have found themselves in a wintry land that is filled with dangers that could only be overcome together. Each player controls one of the adorable animals and must face each challenge side-by-side.
Blan will be released on PC and Nintendo Switch on February 14, 2023.
Tiny Glade looks to be a relaxing and charming building sim that features no management, combat, or "wrong answers." Tiny Glade wants you to "kick back, doodle some castles, and turn forgotten meadows into lovable dioramas." It also doesn't hurt that the sound design is wonderful.
Tiny Glade will be released on Steam in the future.
Bits & Bops is a rhythm mini-game collection that had me tapping my feet and dancing along throughout the whole trailer. It features a mix of animals, people, and robots, hand-drawn 2D animation, original music, a custom engine with "lightning fast response times," and more.
Bits & Bops will be released on Steam in the future, but there is a playable demo out now and a Kickstarter to back.
Distant Bloom's trailer does its best take on a David Attenborough-narrated documentary, but this adventure is far from planet Earth. The game takes place on a new world that is crash-landed on by a race of spacefaring aliens. In Distant Bloom, you are encouraged to explore and restore the planet and discover any secrets it may hold.
Distant Bloom will be released on Steam in 2023. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
Valley Peaks is a "wholesome yet riveting" first-person climbing game that will challenge your skills in a mountain paradise inhabited by adorable frogs with an abundance of personality. Climbing isn't all you'll be able to do, as hang-gliding off the summits you reach is another wonderful reward to look forward to.
Valley Peaks will be released on Steam and consoles in 2023. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
In what looks to take inspiration from Studio Ghibli, Europa is set to let players "Run, glide, and fly through the remains of a ruined utopia." The game takes place on Jupiter's moon of Europa and stars an android named Zee who is searching for answers, including the story of the last human alive.
Europa will be released on Steam in 2023.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
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From a stunning game set on Jupiter's moon to an adorable adventure starring a wolf cub and a fawn to a game that celebrates New Caledonia while also letting you soul jump into animals and objects, there was a wide range of genres on display that are all worth a look. If that wasn't good enough, many of these games have demos you can try right now.
We've gathered each and every announcement and trailer from Wholesome Snack: The Game Awards Edition below to ensure you don't miss a thing.
Mail Time Is All About Delivering Mail To Forest Animals Alongside Your Friend Bee
As a newly minted Mail Scout, Mail Time has you journeying all over Grumblewood Grove to deliver important mail to the forest animals that call this place home. To accomplish this goal, you'll have to do light platforming around the forest to reach each destination. Oh, and you get a bee friend who will help you along the way.
Mail Time will be released in April 2023 on Switch, PS5, PS4, and PC via Steam. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
Mineko's Night Market Is a Celebration of All Things Japan You Can Try Now
Mineko's Night Market got a new trailer at the Whole Snack showcase and it showed more of the narrative-driven, social simulation adventure that celebrates all things Japan. In the adorable-looking game, players can expect to solve a mystery, "craft crafts," "eat eats," "cat cats," "befriend and barter," and much more.
Mineko's Night Market will be released in 2023 on Switch and PC via Steam. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
A Most Extraordinary Gnome Is Like a Storybook and Arts and Craft Class Come to Life
A Most Extraordinary Gnome looks like it was pulled straight out of a fancy art class. The storybook design stands out as soon as you see it in action, and it looks to follow the titular gnome who can use his hat as a weapon on wild adventures through the forest.
A Most Extraordinary Gnome is now available on PC via Steam.
Spirittea Is a Life-Sim and Management Game That Explores the Challenges of Being Inspired to Write a Book
Spirittea looks to explore the challenge of writing a book and finding inspiration in video game form. It's a life-sim and management game that lets you help out a town of people and mythical creatures and spirits while also allowing you to partake in such hobbies as bug catching, karaoke, fishing, and more.
Spirittea will be released in early 2023 on Steam and Nintendo Switch, and it will also be available on Game Pass at launch.
Fae Farm Lets You and Three Friends Farm and Explore on a Gorgeous Fantasy World
Fae Farm is a fantasy farm sim RPG that lets you and your friends build that beautiful, whimsical farm of your dreams. Fae Farm puts players onto the island of Azoria and, alongside farming, tasks players with collecting materials, crafting enchanted treasures, brewing delicious tea, and so much more.
Fae Farm will be released on PC and Steam in Q2 2023.
Way to the Woods Follows the Intriguing Tale of a Deer and Their Fawn
Way to the Woods is a gorgeous game that casts you as the most unlikeliest of heroes - a deer and their fawn. Explore a seemingly abandoned world, help your child survive, and find your way home together.
Way to the Woods will be released in March 2023 on PC via Steam and Game Pass.
Tchia Is a Beautiful Open-World Game Inspired by New Caledonia
Tchia is a beautiful open-world adventure game inspired by New Caledonia's landscapes, music, languages, folklore, and traditions. Furthermore, its fantastical world has been filled with iconic landmarks and native animals from New Caledonia and local talent will voice the characters in local languages. Throughout the adventure, players will be able to soul jump into any animal or object they choose to help solve puzzles, discover secrets, and more.
Tchia will be released in Early 2023 on PC, PS5, and PS4.
Loddlenaut Wants You to Clean Up and Alien World's Ocean and Have Fun Doing It
Loddlenaut is an underwater adventure that stars an interstellar custodian who is doing their best to clean a polluted ocean planet of all the trash that has sadly overtaken it. As you work to clean the ocean, you will be able to interact and befriend adorable alien wildlife.
Loddlenaut will be released on PC via Steam in September 2023. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
Blanc Is an Artistic Co-Op Adventure That Stars a Wolf Cub and a Fawn
Blanc is an 'artistic cooperative adventure' that stars a wolf cub and a fawn that have found themselves in a wintry land that is filled with dangers that could only be overcome together. Each player controls one of the adorable animals and must face each challenge side-by-side.
Blan will be released on PC and Nintendo Switch on February 14, 2023.
Tiny Glade Wants You to Kick Back, Relax, and Build to Your Heart's Content Without a Worry
Tiny Glade looks to be a relaxing and charming building sim that features no management, combat, or "wrong answers." Tiny Glade wants you to "kick back, doodle some castles, and turn forgotten meadows into lovable dioramas." It also doesn't hurt that the sound design is wonderful.
Tiny Glade will be released on Steam in the future.
Bits & Bops Is a Collection of 20 Rhythm Mini-Games That Will Have You Dancing to the Catchy Music
Bits & Bops is a rhythm mini-game collection that had me tapping my feet and dancing along throughout the whole trailer. It features a mix of animals, people, and robots, hand-drawn 2D animation, original music, a custom engine with "lightning fast response times," and more.
Bits & Bops will be released on Steam in the future, but there is a playable demo out now and a Kickstarter to back.
Distant Bloom Is Set on a Mysterious World That Begs to be Explored and Restored
Distant Bloom's trailer does its best take on a David Attenborough-narrated documentary, but this adventure is far from planet Earth. The game takes place on a new world that is crash-landed on by a race of spacefaring aliens. In Distant Bloom, you are encouraged to explore and restore the planet and discover any secrets it may hold.
Distant Bloom will be released on Steam in 2023. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
Valley Peaks Is a 'Wholesome Yet Riveting' First-Person Climbing Game With Frogs
Valley Peaks is a "wholesome yet riveting" first-person climbing game that will challenge your skills in a mountain paradise inhabited by adorable frogs with an abundance of personality. Climbing isn't all you'll be able to do, as hang-gliding off the summits you reach is another wonderful reward to look forward to.
Valley Peaks will be released on Steam and consoles in 2023. Steam players can also check out a demo of the game right now.
Europa Is a Stunning Game Set on Jupiter's Moon that Follows an Android Flying Through a Ruined Utopia
In what looks to take inspiration from Studio Ghibli, Europa is set to let players "Run, glide, and fly through the remains of a ruined utopia." The game takes place on Jupiter's moon of Europa and stars an android named Zee who is searching for answers, including the story of the last human alive.
Europa will be released on Steam in 2023.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Continue reading...
