There is a cozy corner of Summer Games Fest where things slow down, get a bit softer, glow a little warmer, and make the eye twinkle with whimsy and charm. That special showcase is Wholesome Direct—an annual celebration of all things cutesy, curated by Wholesome Games, a publisher dedicated to spotlighting titles that embody comfort, spark joy, and encourage introspection.
This year’s showcase came with 53 titles in tow, so of course, as the resident cozy gamer around here, it was only right to host a Discord Watch Party to scream and giggle with the Community for all the adorable and smile-inducing announcements. World premieres, demo drops, console releases, and DLC updates, there was something for every type of cozy gamer–from the truly dedicated (guilty!) to the casual.
The showcase grabbed hearts immediately with its opening title, Dressmaker from Cozy Lives, a bespoke dress design game that had the BGGs ready to open their wallets before the trailer even finished. From there, titles like Book Nook (miniature diorama builder from Malapata Studio) and In the Drift (a platformer about “fixing the internet in space” from solo developer Daniel Fineberg) were immediately notables that balanced a unique storyline with calming mechanics the genre is beloved for.
Life sims and narrative adventures to town-builders, puzzling co-ops, and at least one barbershop set in a city of gossipy animals (Beastfolk Barber, if that’s your vibe), Wholesome Direct 2026 had the range.
The direct also came with goodies that viewers (including me) have grown to look forward to: the custom merch, in partnership with The Yetee. This year’s selects include two illustrated t-shirts featuring characters and motifs from the presented games, plus a game desk mat. Six dollars from every purchase goes directly to Transgender Law Center, fitting perfectly in step with the inclusive spirit Wholesome Games has led each showcase with. As they put it themselves, sometimes it’s radical to make hopeful art in times of adversity.
As BGG’s Chief Cozy Officer, I deeply enjoyed experiencing my beloved genre alongside the BGG Community. It genuinely tickled my heart watching the horror and FPS gamers gush over the cutest titles right along with us more seasoned cozy gamers. The showcase spotlighted over 20 titles in depth before giving us a speed-run through the rest. Thankfully, the presenters repeatedly reminded viewers that the full list would be posted following the event so we didn’t have to scramble to get out wishlists in order. Jenny and the team they know their audience.
I pulled a few other Community faves and my CCO picks that need to be on those ever-growing wishlists right now. Check out our other selects below and let us know which ones caught your eye (and your wallet).
Anemorie takes a different kind of emotional journey, set in the 1990s with Anna, a young woman whose heart condition comes paired with a rare gift: the ability to glimpse memories embedded in cherished objects.
Deer & Boy and Momento are silent narratives that take players on intimate story-led journeys in their own distinct ways. Deer & Boy tells a cinematic tale of a runaway boy and his found fawn and allows the visuals and enchanting soundscape to do the emotional lifting in a way that feels accessible to anyone. Momento, on the other hand, gives players 17 cozy rooms to decorate while slowly revealing how every choice makes a ripple across a lifetime (with six endings to discover). I’ve personally been following this development for over a year so it was doubly exciting seeing the girls get hype about its release.
The food delivery games also deserve their own moment. Milki Delivery is a sweet adventure as Neha, a young bike courier, pedals through the countryside while caring for her pet cow. Tiny Delivery takes the same gentle premise with a Digital Age twist, as gamers become a small food delivery robot whose simple errand turns into something far more meaningful.
And if you’re one to save your money and enjoy a trip to the grocery (with a bit of neighborhood gossip on the side), Crinkle Cut Games, the team behind Discounty also its released its first DLC for the debut title, a free expansion pack titled “People or Profit.” In it comes new characters, a new final chapter, and three all-new endings where players can “help your neighbors create the sustainable community of their dreams, or crush their sprit and exploit their resources? (Or a secret third thing?).” As a Simmer, you know which I’m aiming for (muahahaha!)
On the sillier, critter-filled side of things, Little Cheese Works and Hela: of Mice & Magic both place gamers in tiny paws with big stakes. Little Cheese Works is a 4-player co-op game about mice hauling cheese for a shady employer, with real-time voice chat as a tricky mechanic: get too loud, and the house cat wakes up. Hela is a quieter kind of adventure; an enchanting 3D co-op set in breathtaking landscapes inspired by Northern Sweden, where players work together as a brave little troop of mice on a mission to restore harmony to a world falling out of tune.
Loftia is one of the two MMOs showcased this year (alongside Spirit Crossing) with the former having a place in our BGG heart. As a two-person dev team, the Community has been continuously impressed with the Qloud Games team’s attention to detail when it came to curly and coily hair textures and having a plethora of styles to choose. Where most have simply “gotten the job done,” Qloud Games went above and beyond with care that we very much appreciate.
As for the game, Loftia is a cozy solarpunk MMO in which gamers farm, craft, explore floating islands, and grow a world alongside friends. And Spirit Crossing, from the creators of Cozy Grove, players rebuild and discover the secrets of a mountaintop where you can build sanctuaries, befriend animals, and be led by a mysterious guide that “prompts you to join a thriving community dedicated to restoring broken bonds.”
We were sold on both titles—BGG Discord Play Days are on thee way—so maybe you will be too.
