I have this loosely defined made-up genre I call “Summer Games”.
It started a long time ago subconsciously. At some point I realized that during the hottest time of the year I gravitate to certain games that I mostly play on a small device (laptop/switch/steamdeck), laying in bed, late at night, when I have trouble sleeping because it’s too hot. A friend of mine once said that the reason she loves super high temperatures so much, is that what you experience leaves more vivid, burned in, memories. I think she has a point.
The criteria aren’t super rigid but I hope you get the “vibe” and might know some games that fit:
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Low-stakes/chill gameplay. I’m already sweating, I don’t need sweaty gameplay right now
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a warm aesthetic/color palette and/or setting. My outside experience shouldn’t feel too different to the games inside experience aesthetic-wise.
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It feels like a road trip, adventure or vacation. I want to get a summery memory out of this.
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the game leaves some kind of impact.
Games I played in the past that evoked that vibe perfectly:
- Kentucky road zero
- oxenfree
- road 96
- firewatch
- sable
- rime
- steins: gate
- life is strange
Games that have fit okay-ish
- tunic
- journey
- citizen sleeper
- nightcall
- no umbrellas allowed
- the talos principle
- the solus project
- the witness
- the vanishing of Ethan Carter
If anyone has a recommendation, I’d be thankful. This year I have started to play chants of Sennaar and it seems to fit the criteria so far.
Psychonauts 1/2. The first game literally takes place at a summer camp. Second one has basically the same vibe.
Likely in the ok-ish section but Celeste has that vibe going for it
Amazing game, but I’m not sure I’d describe the gameplay as chill!
A Short Hike. Essentially a short, cute animal-characters “collectathon” walking-sim/3d-platformer with some low-stakes “arcade” bits here and there. The low-res pixel-effect can be turned off.
AER: Memories of old. Quite a bit in same vein as Rime/Sable, travel between floating islands and participate in low-stakes puzzles/platforming. Pretty charming, imo… and short. Can be finished under 2 hours.
Firewatch. A summer-themed walking simulator with an interesting story.
Firewatch is great, but OP said he already played it
Ah, I missed that, thank you.
Lil Gator Game sounds right up your alley.
It’s a great game and fun to 100%.
The game you are looking for is called Everyone’s Gone to The Rapture.
Perfect, thanks!
Manifold Garden is a game I felt like I have always wanted, even before it was made when I was a child fucking around online and discovering the concept of fractals online. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced the concept of such an infinite-feeling infinity the way I have in this game. The idea is kind of timeless, and I think a lot of people who don’t really play games can at least enjoy watching someone play it.
I finished the main game and can really recommend it, although there’s more to the game than just the main levels apparently. There’s a whole bunch of achievements I didn’t get. Should probably go back in and try to get them sometime, traversal and problem solving in that game were so cool.
Definitely Spiritfarer, ultra chill.
My summer car
Stardew Valley but you have to keep your inner micro-manager under check
I don’t know how many hours I already put into stardew valley haha. The latest update/free DLC was amazing as well
I’d recommend:
- The Outer Wilds
- Graveyard Keeper
- Subnautica
I think you might like Superliminal or Hardspace Shipbreaker.
I’m less sure about the following but still wanted to suggest them:
- Dinkum (it’s like Animal Crossing but in Australia)
- Astroneer (pretty chill exploration and mining game)
- Roots of Pacha (a more story-focused Harvest Moon like game)
What an incredible description of Dinkum
If you haven’t played outer wilds yet, do it. Go in blind, read/watch nothing unless you are absolutely stuck. It truly is one of the best video games ever made, and it’s definitely a cozy adventure (for the most part).
I just can’t get into outer wilds, the ship controls drive me insane.
I’m in the same camp, didn’t like it.
Also it very much as a summer camping vibe, what with the banjos and marshmallows and rickety wooden cabin-spaceships
“Alba: A Wildlife Adventure” jumped to mind. I don’t remember it being long or difficult, but I had a nice time.
I’m not sure if this is the best recommendation looking at your criteria, but Slime Rancher (1 and 2) are chilled games that have beautiful and colourful visuals. To me it feels like a summer vacation - one where you’re staying at a farm and catching adorable slimes.
Another recommendation I’d have is Tearaway unfolded. It’s a super charming adventure in a papercraft work. It really stuck with me and felt like an adventure. It’s only on PS4/5 as far as I’m aware though, but if you happen to have one of those I guess you could cast it to your Steam Deck using Chiaki. Or on the off-chance that you have a PS Vita, the original version of the game was on there.
