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Looking for games that feel like a summer adventure

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.

xavier666 ,

Stardew Valley but you have to keep your inner micro-manager under check

Paradigm_shift OP ,

I don’t know how many hours I already put into stardew valley haha. The latest update/free DLC was amazing as well

kartoffelsaft ,

Surprised TOEM isn’t on your list, given the premise is pretty much exactly what you describe. Last I checked it comes up on the first page or something if you sort steam by highest rated.

Lunacid might also be a good game. I think it fits your criteria for me, but that might just be for me.

Paradigm_shift OP ,

I don’t remember coming across TOEM, maybe I immediately ruled it out for being black and white. Lunacid looks a bit to dark and cold for me, judging by the screenshots. But I’ll take a closer look at both, short previews might not transport the vibes perfectly

Okami_No_Rei ,
@Okami_No_Rei@lemmy.world avatar

Psychonauts (the original, not the sequel, though the sequel is also good) is a Summer Camp themed 3D platformer. It doesn’t quite meet your “low stakes/chill gameplay” criteria as it does have combat and mildly challenging boss fights and platforming, but it nails the rest. It’s easier than Tunic. Maybe worth checking out.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons strictly meets all the criteria listed, but it’s ultimately a tragic story. If “some kind of impact” includes leaving you in tears, check it out.

Okami is a Zelda style adventure set in feudal Japan with immaculate vibes. You play as the sun goddess Amaterasu in the form of a wolf bringing light and life to a land ravaged by demons. The world is cold and dark at first, but you bring spring and summer on your heels.

Finally, two favorites from my childhood are the Spyro series and the Ty the Tasmanian Tiger series. These are 3D Platformer collectathons and neither of these series are even close to any of the examples you provided, but they are bright and colorful and in my heart they have feelings of Summer Vacation and staying home all day to play video games.

Paradigm_shift OP ,

Oh spyro brings back very distant memories of my childhood. I think I played all the Playstation and Gameboy games. I will always remember the sound of collecting gems.

I’ll check out the other games you mentioned, thanks a lot. The sad one will probably go on my list for depression season haha

Okami_No_Rei ,
@Okami_No_Rei@lemmy.world avatar

I specifically mentioned both Spyro and Ty because both series have remasters available on Steam. The Spyro: Reignited Trilogy in particular is phenomenal. They did a really good job making the updated graphics look just like my nostalgic memories of the game.

fckreddit ,

Dungeons of Hinterburg might fit the bill. Just released. Looks and plays well. It is an action rpg with social sim elements set in the Alps.

thelsim ,
@thelsim@sh.itjust.works avatar

A lot of nice suggestions already, I’d like to add the Sorcery! games if you don’t mind reading and enjoy exploring.
I personally really loved the world it portrayed and the tried so many different ways to finish the story.
Also, it has great maps, and I love maps :)

CancerMancer ,

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)
MarcomachtKuchen ,

What an incredible description of Dinkum

CancerMancer ,

The vombats even poop cubes man.

Nemo ,

Try Stranded Sails. It’s a tight little adventure game.

starfennec , (edited )
@starfennec@fedia.io avatar

A Short Hike
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Wide Ocean Big Jacket
FEZ
Night in the Woods
Before Your Eyes

palebluethought ,

Psychonauts 1/2. The first game literally takes place at a summer camp. Second one has basically the same vibe.

cron ,

Firewatch. A summer-themed walking simulator with an interesting story.

MarcomachtKuchen ,

Firewatch is great, but OP said he already played it

cron ,

Ah, I missed that, thank you.

SleepyWheel ,

Dave the diver!

bionicjoey ,

I’m not sure if it quite fits but the first game that came to mind was Minami Lane

celeste ,
@celeste@kbin.earth avatar

"Alba: A Wildlife Adventure" jumped to mind. I don't remember it being long or difficult, but I had a nice time.

brrk ,

My summer car

Navigator ,
@Navigator@jlai.lu avatar

The Wreck

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