Confetti’s Cozy Corner: Indie standouts from Summer Game Fest showcases
Summer Game Fest has concluded with a wide selection of IRL and digital showcases premiering game titles, new trailers, and expansions of existing titles.
Out of the many showcases and games highlighted, these are some of the standouts of indie games particularly from The Wholesome Direct and Day of the Devs!
Dosa Divas
From the developers of 2024 Gayming Magazine’s Authentic Representation Award Winner, Thirsty Suitors comes another title, Dosa Diva’s. Outerloop Game’s Dosa Diva’s is a spicy and vibrant narrative turn-based RPG that is about love, family, boundaries and mending bonds over a good meal. This one a major title I looked forward to demo-ing at Summer Game Fest, and trusting Outerloop Games ability to deliver in-depth stories that center on authenticity I knew I would not be disappointed.
You play as sisters Samara and Amani as you go with them on a journey with their sentient ancient mech on a mission to defeat a rotten fast food empire run by their other sister Lina. The gameplay consists of platforming, forging for ingredients, fishing, completing quests and cooking. The character’s have unique personalities that shine and compliment each other well. Samara and Amani have spent years apart but have reunited to not only mend broken bonds but to confront the issues of their home-town that has sunken into a shadow of its former self under the capitalist grip of Lina’s fast- food empire.
By the end of the demo I was left wanting to know more about the sisters and what made them grow distant from one another, especially Lina. To come from a home seemingly filled with love and warm home cooked meals to running a soul crushing fast food empire. Relationships are complicated, and I know Outerloop Games will deliver us a story that will have a beautiful impact on anyone who plays. Dosa Diva’s is projected to release early 2026.
Please Watch The Artwork
Please Watch the Artwork is a atmospheric melancholic hidden object game where players must observe the pieces of art present during their museum night shift and point out anomalies. The artwork featured in the game is based off of American realism painter Edward Hopper, who is known for his themes of loneliness and urban isolation with one of his most famous works being Nighthawks [1942]. During your night shift at the MaMA – the Museum of Animated Modern Art the paintings are alive, and you must inspect six themed galleries showcasing many paintings ensuring that nothing is amiss.
The artwork is central to the game’s themes and gameplay. While the atmospheric sounds, lack of music and oppressive environment may invoke horror vibes, there are no jumpscares and no monsters lurking in the shadows. There is also a cozy mode that removes the oppressive elements and removes the possibility of a game over. Projected to release around Halloween, Please Watch the Artwork stands to be another unique game experience developed by Thomas Waterzooi.
Consume Me
We’ve all experienced the awkward phase of adolescence, facing pressures to fit in while discovering who we are. Consume Me is a dark comedic coming of age story centered on Jenny, a teenager entering her senior year of high school who wants to take advantage of summer break by losing weight, getting the boy of her dreams and getting as much done in her day as possible to maximize her glow-up. While, this game touches on serious topics that many deal or have dealt with during times of adolescence, the strategic decision making and humor of Jenny’s inner monologue and scenarios she finds herself in lighten the mood as we go on this summer journey of self discovery. Consume Me, is set to release September 25, 2025 on Steam.
Is this Seat Taken?
Is This Seat Taken? is a logic puzzle game I had the honor of presenting during the Wholesome Direct showcase. As luck would have it this is one of the many games I have been looking forward to for 2025 for a while, so it was amazing I was chosen to present this game! In Is This Seat Taken?, you play matchmaker for groups of people with particular interests and needs in seating arrangement scenarios such as restaurants, a crowded bus, a wedding reception, and more! The goal is to find the perfect spot for each person with the challenge increasing as you conquer each level. Is This Seat Taken? will be compatible on Steam Deck and has a demo available today with a release window being August 2025.
Hotel Galactic
Hotel Galactic visually and musically gives Studio Ghibli vibes and very much feels inspired by the Oscar Winning movie studio. Hotel Galactic combines cozy management with a rich story about redemption. You play as Gustav who arrives in a run-down intergalactic hotel who aims to turn it into a thriving tourist destination! Gustav’s story intertwines with seeking out the truth of his grandfather’s tragic past while going on an enriching story of self-discovery. As Gustav builds a thriving business the powerful Galactic Peace Corps will be watching his every move.
Build and optimize the hotel of your dreams, keeping guests’ comfort in mind as you use modular building mechanics to make Gustavs goals a reality. The life sim elements such as gathering ingredients, cooking and crafting also drives the story forward as you create a whimsical and magical destination for hotel guests! Hotel Galactic will be a cozy intergalactic experience like no other and it releases July 24th on Steam.
Petal Runner
Petal Runner caught my eye because of the nostalgic graphics akin to Pokemon Blue and Pokemon Yellow. I was able to play the demo at Play Days and not only was it a fun game but the art director had so much character, it was easy to tell where the inspirations of the game came from getting to know about their life! Petal Runner is an open world cyberpunk pixel game set in Sapphire Valley, as our protagonist Cali and his animal companion Kira set out on an adventure to become the ultimate Petal Runners. As you make deliveries, play mini-games, make connections and explore the big world, Cali and Kira will face challenges that will make them see the vast world from a different perspective.
The choice to make the base color palette was simply inspired by the artist’s favorite colors, while the complimentary colors will vary from town to town [which is how to identify where you are and to add to each town’s unique identity]. As you hop on your bike to explore the world, you will definitely get Game Boy Color, ‘cycling road’ vibes. It’s a fun nostalgic feeling as you go on this coming of age story delivering adorable HanaPets to their forever homes! Petal Runner is a nostalgic yet unique cozy game that does not have a set release date just yet; however, I did inquire about this game releasing on handhelds to compliment the nostalgic vibes. We will see what the future holds for this title!
Kulo Niku: Bowl Up
Kulo Niku: Bowl Up has been on my radar for sometime and I was so happy to see a trailer appear during Day of the Devs! In Kulo Niku: Bowl Up, you run a meatball restaurant, in a vibrant town full of quirky people! I love a game that not only captures my attention but makes me laugh; extra bonus if it is a cooking sim! You’ve inherited your grandmother’s restaurant that’s in a disheveled state and your goal is to restore it to its former glory and make it a world famous meat-ball restaurant once again. Take orders from hilarious customers, make the food and serve it to them. The more success you have the more money you make, which allows you to upgrade your restaurant getting you closer to your goal.
The graphics and the food caught my eye because it looked so good. A bit of a warning: do not play cozy cooking sims on an empty stomach! There is a demo available for NextFest and a release window for Q3 2025!
There were SO many games shows during Summer Game Fest it was hard to narrow down a few that stood out. SO many amazing games were showcased and looked amazing that I encourage readers to check out all of them when possible. As gamers we will be well fed all 2025-2026 with amazing content, especially from indie developers. As a first time participant of Play Days it was incredible to get to see games that were showcased and then get hands-on experience moments later with the game and developers.
Summer Game Fest was an amazing experience, I was honored to be invited, and I hope to experience again next summer!
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