Recap: Wholesome Direct 2025

The Wholesome Direct is always a really great time to discover chill indie games. This year had a few strong highlights.

Is This Seat Taken? (Switch/PC)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3035120/Is_This_Seat_Taken/
Remember those logic puzzles where "Sally likes to sit in the front but has to sit behind Bernard but always infront of Carl". This is a game that is very much that but with pure visuals of what you are seeing and a way to manipulate the puzzle levels to recreate the conditions you need.

Everdeep Aurora (Switch/PC)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2251400/Everdeep_Aurora/
This looked like just a digging game until the layers peeled back and its exploration adventure focus really creeped into view. This looks deep enough with a unique look that I can see this getting a following when it drops.

Milano's Odd Job Collection (Everything)
This one was out of nowhere. Marvelous old PS1 title is getting a proper US release for the first time. Hilltop Works who translated Dr Slump and Racing Lagoon are the ones behind this game's translation.

Gecko Gods (Everything)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1290760/Gecko_Gods/
A 3D puzzle platformer where you play as a Gecko and it uh can dash into some things awkwardly? The gecko can also sail a boat so it's got that going on.