Magic and coziness and more!
Note: Balancing my IRL job, parenting, and making content, I’ve concluded that I need to evolve the Release Calendar column, which was weekly (attempted) to a monthly one. There’s an overwhelming theme this month – cozy and chill. There are two weeks left to July, and the indies are still plentiful! Let me know if you’re planning on playing any of these, and if not, what you are firing up for the rest of the month!
Magical Delicacy – July 16 (Steam, Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, Nintendo Switch)
Magical Delicacy is a wholesome and charming 2D platformer, and if you’re looking for something new to play that scratches a Moonstone Island or Stardew Valley itch, it’s this one. You play as Flora, a young witch who opens up a shop in the town of Grat to get to know the residents and further her magical studies.
The demo is still up as of publishing, and it’s a fun time. Cooking was great fun, I loved the infusion of magic to systems that were already familiar, and the characters I met left me excited to meet more of them in the full game.
SCHiM – July 18 (PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox)
Shadowlands, anyone? I couldn’t help but think of the Bluey episode when trying this one out, and before you ask, that’s not a negative. You play as a SCHiM, a “soul and spirit of an object, think, or living being,” and you’ve been separated from them and need to find them before it’s too late.
The demo is still up as of publishing, so if you have any doubts I encourage you to try it out. The devs use color in interesting ways, and seeing the little SCHiM dive through shadows makes me smile every time. (There’s just something SO ADORABLE about it.)
Broken Lens – July 22 (PC)
Do you love WALL-E? That’s the first vibe I got from watching the trailer for Broken Lens and seeing the adorable robot with the cracked visor. It’s a spot-the-difference game, as you’re looking through scenes through your one good lens and the cracked one.
The demo isn’t up for much longer as of publishing, but I’m hoping they’ll return an updated version to the store. It’s colorful, cute, peaceful, and all-around adorable. If you’re playing something super intense like Elden Ring or any other Souls-like, I can see it becoming a great palate cleanser. Me? I can see myself playing before bed or after a bad day at work.
Été – July 23 (PC)
The watercolor-inspired art in Été was the first thing that drew me to the game, and it’s unbelievably gorgeous. It’s fitting that you play as a painter here, one who has traveled to Montreal for the summer. Impossible, the dev/publisher of Été, is based in Montreal and it was incredibly cool to see the city through their eyes when I played the demo during Steam Next Fest.
Midnight Ramen – July 23 (PC)
From both episodes of Coffee Talk to Tavern Talk that just came out this year, I’ve become a big fan of the visual novel with a cafe/restaurant/pub twist. Midnight Ramen is one of those games, where your establishment is a ramen stall that’s only open late at night.
You not only take orders and feed your hungry customers, you help them deal with issues in their lives. There’s a bit of mystery and mysticism to it, especially when your boss tells patrons that they don’t need an address for the stall; they can find it if they think about it hard enough. (Not to mention it’s a blast making all the tasty-looking food!)
The Star Named EOS – July 23 (PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox) Humble Store Link
If you love the phrases “story-rich” and “puzzle adventure,” you’ll love The Star Named EOS. The dreamy, storybook-inspired art is gorgeous, and I love the fact it’s built around photography. I played the demo during Steam Next Fest, and the experience and mystery have stayed close to my thoughts.
You play as Dei, a young photographer who is following in the footsteps of his mother, who disappeared when he was young. While looking through some of the photos, though, he notices something that makes him question the circumstances. The demo is still on Steam as of publishing.
(If you choose to purchase through the Humble Store link, it helps support me. Thanks!)
Arranger – July 25 (PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation)
Any game where the main character is described as a “small-town misfit on a journey of self-discovery,” is one for me. The visual style of the game is vibrant, and the grid movement feature is unique and easy to pick up.
Arranger is a playful game, mildly chaotic, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys puzzlers. The demo is still available as of publishing this piece, and it’s a great time!
The Garden Path – July 30 (PC, Nintendo Switch)
This is another game where the visual style is stunning. After playing Botany Manor earlier this year, I’ve gotten much more into gardening sims, and this one has major Secret Garden vibes (without the drama). I haven’t had the opportunity to play this one via a demo or anything, but I love how it’s designed to be played in short bursts and will reflect the seasons as well.
In addition to gardening, the game will have fishing, and quests and you’ll be able to design your home and interact with numerous NPCs. (Note: I’m hoping to provide a review for this one!)
I don’t call it out here, but Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus drops on the 18th as well! I didn’t gel with this one as much as I wanted to when I played the demo, though the visual style is beyond stunning.