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:
Low-stakes/chill gameplay. I’m already sweating, I don’t need sweaty gameplay right now
a warm aesthetic/color palette and/or setting. My outside experience shouldn’t feel too different to the games inside experience aesthetic-wise.
It feels like a road trip, adventure or vacation. I want to get a summery memory out of this.
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.
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.
I haven’t played it myself, but Boku no Natsuyasumi is a game that recently entered my radar, which fits your description quite well. It’s a game I want to play sometime, but I have had other priorities. It’s for PSX.
It’s about a boy in a summer vacation with his family.
Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any official English versions of the game, but hopefully you might find a solution if you think the game looks interesting enough to play it.
You have a Steam Deck- You can emulate a PS1. I have no idea how difficult to set up that would be, as I’ve never cared to play PS1 games myself. For the record, I’d be surprised if you couldn’t emulate a PS3, and RPCS3 is actually the easiest thing imaginable to get set up and working. In my experience the PS2 emulator, PCSX2 is very heavy hardware wise compared to RPCS3 so that might not actually run on a Steam Deck.
There have been some (spiritual) sequels which have been or soon will be localized. Perhaps those can be an entry for anyone to see if the genre floats your boat!
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.
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).
Edit: the reason you need to go in blind is because all progress happens in your own head. Once you know something you can’t un-know it. Replayability is pretty much zero.
Also, controller is 100% mandatory. Not keyboard and mouse, not even HOTAS. Controller, preferably with axes for the triggers (not buttons like the switch)
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Brothers a Tale of Two Sons
Seasons After Fall
A Story About my Uncle
Subnautica
Raft
Ori 1 and 2 maybe
Far: Lone Sails and Far: Changing Tides
Hyperbolica
Spiritfarer
Jazzpunk
Dreamfall Chapters
Manifold Garden
Fract OSC
Outer Wilds
The Oregon Trail or the recent remake or Organ Trail
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.
Lil Gator Game sounds right up your alley.
It’s a great game and fun to 100%.
I’m not sure if it quite fits but the first game that came to mind was Minami Lane
You could check Full Throttle from Lucas art. It’s old but it feel like hot weather 🌡️
It looks vaguely familiar. I think I watched one of the kids in my neighborhood play it
I remember playing Full Throttle as a kid, but never beat it. Kind of tempted to go back through and see if I can figure it out as an adult.
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.
I haven’t played it myself, but Boku no Natsuyasumi is a game that recently entered my radar, which fits your description quite well. It’s a game I want to play sometime, but I have had other priorities. It’s for PSX.
It’s about a boy in a summer vacation with his family.
Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any official English versions of the game, but hopefully you might find a solution if you think the game looks interesting enough to play it.
It’s for PSP/PS1. I’m not sure which you mean by PSX, because the only thing I’ve ever heard called a PSX is the weird Japanese only DVR/PS2 hybrid thing.
The sequel apparently has an english patch, but I can’t find one for the original.
PSX was a common abbreviation for the original PlayStation at the time. It has just stuck with me.
Sadly no Playstation
You have a Steam Deck- You can emulate a PS1. I have no idea how difficult to set up that would be, as I’ve never cared to play PS1 games myself. For the record, I’d be surprised if you couldn’t emulate a PS3, and RPCS3 is actually the easiest thing imaginable to get set up and working. In my experience the PS2 emulator, PCSX2 is very heavy hardware wise compared to RPCS3 so that might not actually run on a Steam Deck.
There have been some (spiritual) sequels which have been or soon will be localized. Perhaps those can be an entry for anyone to see if the genre floats your boat!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2061250/Shin_chan_Me_and_the_Professor_on_Summer_Vacation_The_Endless_SevenDay_Journey/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/2839280/NatsuMon_20th_Century_Summer_Kid/
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.
I’d recommend:
The Wreck
My Summer Car is pretty cool. I’ve been playing Dredge this summer and it’s been pretty chill and low-stakes.
Dredge is definitely not a chill game
Chill as in chills your bones.
I’m super afraid of the ocean dredge looks like a horror game to me
Dang, sorry to hear that. It relaxes me when I play it
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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).
Edit: the reason you need to go in blind is because all progress happens in your own head. Once you know something you can’t un-know it. Replayability is pretty much zero.
Also, controller is 100% mandatory. Not keyboard and mouse, not even HOTAS. Controller, preferably with axes for the triggers (not buttons like the switch)
Also it very much as a summer camping vibe, what with the banjos and marshmallows and rickety wooden cabin-spaceships
I just can’t get into outer wilds, the ship controls drive me insane.
I’m in the same camp, didn’t like it.
Yeah, I bounced off it once for the same reason. If you can get past that it’s worth it
“Alba: A Wildlife Adventure” jumped to mind. I don’t remember it being long or difficult, but I had a nice time.
Psychonauts 1/2. The first game literally takes place at a summer camp. Second one has basically the same vibe.