Wholesome Games has joyfully returned with the Wholesome Direct 2025, delighting indie game fans. This yearly event, now celebrating its fifth anniversary, was broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch, highlighting a diverse selection of cozy and heartwarming indie titles. With 60 games revealed, this year’s collection is set to enchant gamers with distinctive and engaging experiences.

One of the key highlights is STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar, where players rejuvenate Zephyr Town’s market by tending to animals, harvesting produce, and crafting items. Created by Marvelous Inc., this version features improved graphics, new characters, and full voice acting, set to launch on August 27, 2025, for Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Another remarkable title is Omelet You Cook, a roguelike cooking adventure from SchuBox. Gamers create omelets for the Middlesville Central Cafeteria, unlocking new objects and pantry relics. Now available on Steam, this game puts players to the test as they strive to meet Principal Clucker’s high standards.

In Is This Seat Taken?, made by Poti Poti Studio, players step into the role of matchmakers, seating eccentric characters with their own peculiarities. This puzzle game, launching in August 2025 on Steam, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch, promises a fun and relatable experience.

MakeRoom, created by Kenny, invites players to embellish miniature dioramas and furnish them for various clients, such as cats and vampires. Launching on August 7, 2025, on Steam, this game features over 1,000 furniture options and an integrated designer for creative expression.

Milano’s Odd Job Collection, originally by Westone, introduces players to the summer jobs of 11-year-old Milano. Published by XSEED Games, this collection will soon be accessible across various platforms, including Steam, GOG, and consoles.

For those keen on building a vending machine enterprise, Vending Dokan!: Kozy Kiosk from Aftabi Games is currently available on Steam. Players can design and oversee vending sites, ensuring seamless operations through staff management and morale boosting.

Fishbowl, from imissmyfriends.studio, shares the poignant story of Alo as she navigates a new city and job while mourning her grandmother. This narrative-focused game will soon launch on Steam and PlayStation 5.

The complete lineup of games unveiled at Wholesome Direct 2025 includes:

• Leaf Blower Co.
• Instants
• STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar
• Groudlets Together
• Luma Island
• Is This Seat Taken?
• MakeRoom
• Ambroise Niflette & the Gleaned Bell
• Let’s Build a Dungeon
• Squeakross: Home Squeak Home
• Monument Valley 3
• Big Hops
• Little Kitty, Big City
• Vending Dokan!: Kozy Kiosk
• Winter Burrow
• Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game
• Haunted Paw
• The Guardian of Nature
• Seasonala Cemetery
• Camper Van: Make it Home
• Lynked: Banner of the Spark
• Omelet You Cook
• Milano’s Odd Job Collection
• Fireside Feelings
• All Will Rise
• Gecko God
• One Move Away
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**Possessor(s): A Metroidvania Masterpiece Overflowing with Style and Challenge**

The Metroidvania genre has remains a perennial favorite among gamers, providing intricate worlds and demanding gameplay that reward exploration and skill. Among the recent additions to this cherished genre is *Possessor(s)*, a game that not only embraces the fundamental components of Metroidvania but also enriches them with a distinct style and narrative charm. Created by the team behind *Hyper Light Drifter* and published by Devolver Digital, *Possessor(s)* is set to enchant players with its demonic appeal and captivating gameplay.

**A Realm of Demonic Intrigue**

Situated in the vast corporate mega-city of Sandy, *Possessor(s)* plunges players into an environment where demons have been unleashed after a disastrous event. Players assume the role of Luca, a young hero who, after losing her legs amidst the turmoil, establishes a dark pact with the enchanting demon Rhem. This agreement provides her with new legs and sets her on a quest to unveil the fate of her family and flee the demon-ridden city. The storyline captivates players from the very beginning, weaving a narrative of survival, enigma, and unexpected alliances.

**Visual Grandeur and Artistic Style**

One of the remarkable aspects of *Possessor(s)* is its hand-drawn artistic style, which breathes life into the game’s world with a unique visual character. The art direction fuses elements of *Castlevania* with the ambiance of a Japanese visual novel, crafting a setting that feels both inhabited and fantastical. From demonic potted plants to tainted filing cabinets, each frame of the game is brimming with personality and imagination, inviting players to explore every corner of the decaying city.

**Demanding Gameplay and Combat**

*Possessor(s)* is not designed for the timid. The game embraces the demanding nature of the Metroidvania genre, requiring players to hone tight controls and wield a variety of weapons to overcome its numerous challenges. Luca begins with a simple kitchen knife but quickly expands her weaponry to include unique tools like a corded computer mouse and a whip-like power granted by Rhem. Each weapon presents different tactics for addressing the game’s progressively tougher enemies and platforming trials.

**Roguelike Features and Rewarding Progression**

Though *Possessor(s)* is challenging, it also integrates roguelike features that make the experience more lenient. Players will frequently meet their demise, but the repercussions of death are relatively mild, involving the loss of some in-game currency known as Chrome and a reset to the hub location. This system fosters experimentation and learning, enabling players to refine their strategies and gradually overcome the game’s hurdles.

**A Promising Indie Gem**

*Possessor(s)* is emerging as a standout entry in the Metroidvania genre, providing a fusion of style, challenge, and narrative richness that is bound to resonate with players. With its mesmerizing art style, engaging gameplay, and captivating story, the game is set to be a must-play for genre enthusiasts. As it gears up for its full launch later this year, *Possessor(s)* is ready to become a cherished indie title that deserves a place on every gamer’s wish list.