Assummer nears, sometimes it can be difficult to feel like the summer mood is really settling in. Perhaps gamers areconstrained by less free timeto take a trip or tied to long hours at work to enjoy the nice weather outside. Or, as a gamer, these things do not interest you, and would rather play games that give off that freeing summer feeling instead.
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Summer-like activities can include things like camping, hiking, boating, and farming, or trying to escape monsters at a summer camp with friends. There are a ton ofoptions availablefor games including summer-like backdrops toput gamers into the fun summer mood.
8The Quarry
The Quarryis a horror game from the developers Supermassive Games, best known for their development of otherhorror games likeThe Dark Pictures AnthologyandUntil Dawn.Similar in mechanics to the previous games,The Quarryis a narrative-focused interactivedrama horror gamethat follows teenage counselors trying to survive their last night at the campsite after the summer camp ends.
The choices the players make and the evidence players collect will all affect the outcome of character relationships, in-game events, and the ending of the game. Both the horror and the summer camp backdrop will be sure to put any gamer into a mood to go camping this summer.
7Beacon Pines
Beacon Pinesbythe developers Hiding Spot Gamesis another narrative adventure game, following the deer-boy Luka VanHorn as he investigates his town, Beacon Pines, and the mysteries following him through the woods that surround it. What’s more is that Luka seems to be the only one noticing these anomalies.
The player explores beautiful forest scenery and odd happenings in this unique storybook format that has turning points, where the player makes key choices that affect outcomes within the game. This game is both adorable and mysterious as it follows acolorful cast of animalsthrough the woods and the small town inside it.
6Bear And Breakfast
Following the forest and camp themes,Bear & Breakfast,by devs Gummy Cat, is a cozy lodge management and adventure sim following the kind-hearted (and naive) Hank as he goes off torepair park lodges in order to increase visitationto the parks he calls his home. This game involves making friends with the strange residents of the parks, going on quests in order to upgrade furniture options, andcollecting ingredients to make mealsfor park guests.
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All of this takes place in stunning backdrops ranging from forests, marshes, deserts, a beach, and one snowy area! This game also includes other components such as decorating and cooking that will satisfy any sim-lover’s heart.
5Spiritfarer
With warm winds comes the time to sail withSpiritfarer,by developers Thunder Lotus, a sea-faring and emotional sandbox adventure game as the player ferries (literally) spirits from island to island in hopes of uncovering their characters and eventually towards peace. Although the game mainly features adventure and management qualities, theoverall narrative is also very impactful.
The player finds new passengers and builds onto their boat through quests that will both have the player going through multiple stunning islands and enjoying their time faring the seas with their newfound companions inSpiritfarer.
4Ooblets
Wanting to dance the night away this summer?Ooblets, developed by Glumberland, is a game featuring dancing, farming,and cute creature collecting, all within the unique and colorful town of Badgetown, amongst other places the player can unlock and explore along the way.Oobletsis a fun mix of adventure and turn-based dance battles sure to light up a night.
This game includes house customization, character customization, and collecting galore as players collect creatures called ‘ooblets’ to perform dance battles to get prizes and currency to buy fun items. The jovialOobletswill have every player dancing in their chair.
3Paradise Marsh
Love exploring the outdoors and finding new critters? Stay inside to specifically avoid insects, but like looking at cute pictures of them?Paradise Marshby Etienne Trudeau is a short, relaxing, and contemplative game about exploration and collecting different bugs and other creatures to solve the greater mystery of why the stars have disappeared from the sky.
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This game features aesthetic scenery andcute-looking bugs within the wetlands.Paradise Marshalso encourages players to enjoy nature and sit around picking flowers, eating wild berries picked off bushes, and sitting on logs.
2A Short Hike
If access to hiking trails is not within the cards,A Short Hikeis a great exploration game following a bird hiking up a mountain trail. While the summit is the goal of the game, the player can also befriend other hikers, soar the skies, and find treasure along the way.
The game encourages players toexplore the trails fullyand take in the scenery during the peaceful gameplay. The forest and mountain scenery will give anyone wanting to go hiking a little taste of outdoor fun without leaving the computer.
1Untitled Goose Game
If being a little unhinged is in the cards this summer,Untitled Goose Gameby House House should satisfy the chaos craving as players go through the game as a horrible goose in a quaint village.
Players can honk to their hearts’ content as they achieve tasks to make villagers’ lives a bit more inconvenient and enjoy picnics, swimming in the stream, and hiding from an upset gardener. This short game follows the goose on a nice, sunny day while allthe goose’s crazy anticstake place while subtly terrorizing the village folk.
