Looking for games that feel like a summer adventure

Paradigm_shift@sh.itjust.works to Patient Gamers@sh.itjust.works – 117 points –

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.

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A Short Hike. Essentially a short, cute animal-characters "collectathon" walking-sim/3d-platformer with some low-stakes "arcade" bits here and there. The low-res pixel-effect can be turned off.

AER: Memories of old. Quite a bit in same vein as Rime/Sable, travel between floating islands and participate in low-stakes puzzles/platforming. Pretty charming, imo... and short. Can be finished under 2 hours.

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

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

This has been my primary summer game, although I admit what with the seasons changing in game I am now in winter while being hot indoors. Was going through responses to see if anyone brought up Stardew.

"A Short Hike" for sure, "What Remains of Edith Finch" could fit and nobody mentioned it.

Superflight is great and quite different from most of the suggestions you are getting.

(The Stanley Parable I don't think fits but if you want to try it out I suggest you do not take the "Deluxe" version and sitck to the original one)

Came to say A Short Hike. First thing that springs to mind when I think summer adventure.

The first thing that came to my mind was "Before the Storm", but it was already listed...

What's a downside I. The Stanley parable deluxe edition? Isn't it just the original game but with additional content?

I don't want to spoil anything but I feel like it makes the experience less dense and focused. I loved the original one, read great things about the expansion and found it leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

But in a way I guess you can't get the cat back in the box or something... Still a great game overall, I feel it just goes from a 10 to an 8.5.

I suggest you do not take the "Deluxe" version and sitck to the original one

Why?

As I mentioned below, I feel like the expansion is less inspired and makes for an overall decline in quality.

I'll definitely put short hike on the list. Superflight looks amazing as well! I already played the Stanley parable and the other famous game from that developer. Totally forgot about that. I also played Edith Finch but didn't like it

I'd recommend:

  • The Outer Wilds
  • Graveyard Keeper
  • Subnautica

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.

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

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.

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger is peak summer game. It's basically set in a setting inspired by the Australian outback.

This post is months old now, but I fucking love Psychonauts. It shaped me into the person I am today. I've replayed it so many times I've lost count, and I can tell you at what point in the game each song of the soundtrack plays. Also the sequel takes place only days after the first, so it could still technically be called a summer game. Also the sequel is honestly a damn masterpiece imo.

Also, Ty is absolutely fantastic. Any of the water levels are absolute summer vibes imo. And the soundtrack is fantastic as well. I 100% the first three on steam.

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

I'd say Night in the Woods, but that may be a very late summer / fall kinda vibe.

It won't be long till fall so it can go on the list. Might be perfect for summer-is-almost-over-sadness

My Summer Car is pretty cool. I've been playing Dredge this summer and it's been pretty chill and low-stakes.

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.

Looks great! The Alps is where I spend a lot of my vacation days, why not add some nights as well haha

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.

Yeah, I bounced off it once for the same reason. If you can get past that it’s worth it

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.

The gameplay might be a little more tense than you're looking for at times, but Kena: Bridge of Spirits gives me summertime vibes.

For something with chiller gameplay, maybe Yakuza Like a Dragon? (I haven't played Infinite Wealth yet, but the setting also seems promising.)

I think yakuza might fit. I have to check if the steamdeck can handle it. If not it'll go on my list for when I am okay with my pc heating up my living room

I recommend a play through either way! The story is a rollercoaster that balances its silliness with heart pretty well.

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.

The Long Drive and My Summer Car are literally everything you describe wanting in two distinct flavors.

I also was immediately thinking "The Quarry," which is essentially a playable horror movie set at a summer camp. I don't usually like these types of games, but this one is extremely good if you like horror movies.

Even if you don't like horror movies, imo The Quarry is worth a try.

I don't like horror movies, personally, and I really enjoyed The Quarry quite a lot. I like most of Supermassive's games, but The Quarry is probably the best one, barring the newest Dark Pictures and Until Dawn as I've played neither.

My summer car is hilarious. Its basically a finnish mechanic with alcoholism simulator for me

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)

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

  • Slay the princess
  • Until then
  • Coffee talk
  • Detroit Become human

The last one is more like an interactive movie than a visual novel, but it is still pretty cool

I played slay the princess earlier this year, amazing game! Detroit become human has been on my wishlist forever. Maybe now is a good time to finally buy it. Not sure about coffee talk but until then looks promising. I'll check out the demo

Funny that you mention Life of Strange because it’s actually set in Autumn, but it does kinda have the vibes you describe. What does have way more summer vibes though is the prequel, Before the Storm, totally worth it if you’ve haven’t played it.

My opinion of life is strange is kinda complicated I liked it as a "Summer Game" because it had the right vibes while I played it but after I was done I was disappointed. The game hypes it's "your action have consequences" system up constantly but it's usually just a different dialogue or short scene which doesn't affect the story in a major way. Which is fine for a game in general but not when it pretends it's different.

Maybe the Yo-Kai Watch games? They are RPGs probably inspired by Pokemon, but better in basically every way.

You play as a kid befriending Yo-Kai (creatures taken from japanese folklore), while exploring a pretty cool city. Has a nice soundtrack as well. The story of the first game is kinda meh, but I think it still has that summer vibe.

The second game is a lot better, with an actual story, more stuff to do and more to explore. Definitely the better game, but playing it first might make the first one less enjoyable afterwards.

Both of these games have that childhood summer adventure vibe, even though I myself didn't spent my childhood befriending Yo-Kai.

Try Eastshade, should check all the boxes IMO. https://store.steampowered.com/app/715560/Eastshade/

Any game from Amanita Design might fit the bill too (Machinarium, Botanicula, etc.).

If you don't mind reading a lot, there's Roadwarden https://store.steampowered.com/app/1155970/Roadwarden/

Wow eastshade looks amazing! The Amanita Design games might suit my Fall-mood better. Roadwardwen looks interesting too. I'll look at the preview slides on my steamdeck and see if it's still readable

If you don't mind emulation (or maybe own a 3DS already), I think Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale for 3DS fits your criteria quite well.

Tchia just oozes summer vibes, and is inspired by the culture of New Caledonia. No failing, tons of extra accessibility options, skip gameplay segments if you feel like it, autoplay QTA's, and so on.

Personally I like a little bit of a challenge even in my cozy games, but Tchia has so much character that I didn't mind.

I'll take a closer look at Tchia. I don't necessarily search only for no-pressure-at-all cozy games. I just don't want a game that barely let's you breathe and/or requires extreme precision. Like, I don't want to be playing elden ring (right now and for the next few weeks).

The most important thing is the warm atmosphere and some moments that create lasting impressions

Yeah I got that vibe but I wanted to include all the accessibility stuff because 1) it's awesome and 2) it can be used as a custom difficulty slider, which fits into the "I don't want to work hard on this" on a very personalised level. Either enable something, everything, or nothing at all. Your choice!

Maybe the Atelier games would fit the bill? The recent entries, mostly the Ryza trilogy ("Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout", yeah, the title is a bit clunky) don't have the time limit that used to be a staple of the series. Instead, it is incredibly chill, a JRPG in a relaxed, colorful environment with an actually really fun, puzzle-like crafting system (called synthesis, their take on alchemy), which feeds masterfully into combat and resource collecting. It is very fun, and the game feels like going on a summer holiday with friends as a kid. :)

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.

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.

The first thing that comes to my mind is Summer in Mara. It's a chill, relatively shallow farming sim with fetch quests and exploration.

Some more based on other games you liked:

  • Arida - short-ish adventure game with a bigger emotional impact
  • Nuts - probably most similar to Firewatch; core gameplay loop is taking pictures of squirrels, but there's some plot development
  • A Juggler's Tale - side scroller adventure with some feels
  • Deponia - funny point and click adventure series; if you like the genre, try The Darkside Detective (less "summer adventure" more "weird mysteries")
  • Manifold Garden - more chill than The Talos Principle or The Witness, with less feels than the first; decent, trippy puzzle game

I'll check them out, thanks. I've heard positive things about manifold garden already. Mystery stuff might be perfect for fall

Yup, Darkside Detective is fantastic for a non-spooky, but spooky-themed point and click adventure. If you like point and clicks, it's a bit older, but I really like Grim Fandango, which is a bit more classic point and click with a Halloween theme.

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 :)

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

Have you enjoyed any of the recommendations OP? I like your original list/taste and am wondering what else fit the aesthetic

Just saw your message. I ended up replaying the old spyro games in the remastered version and loved the nostalgia trip.

Tried to get into Outer Wilds again, stopped almost instantly because I just can't figure out the movement.

Then I saw that Oxenfree 2 had released at some point, played that but wouldn't recommend ( if you played the first game you already know the big "mystery" and the new smaller mystery isn't that interesting)

I played chants of sennaar, loved it, fit the vibe perfectly. Would absolutely recommend!

I played planet of lana, it was somewhere between okay and good. Visually perfect gameplay a bit boring. Even for a short game it felt too long at the end.

Then I made the mistake of opening rimworld again and this became my (gaming) life again.

I don't know if I played it before my post or after but Talos Principle 2 was perfect just like the first one.

"What Remains of Edith Finch" could work. And "Man eater." What's more summer than a a shark?

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.

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

You could check Full Throttle from Lucas art. It's old but it feel like hot weather 🌡️

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.

Here Comes Niko, "the cozy 3D platformer for tired people." You play an adorable sprite leaping around a tropical island chain. I don't think it has failure modes, in general.

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure

It's perhaps a bit child-oriented, but is pretty fun, chill, and you can't do more "summer vacation" than that.

Brothers a Tale of Two Sons

Seasons After Fall

A Story About my Uncle

Subnautica

Raft

Ori 1 and 2 maybe

Bulwark, The Falconeer Chronicles. You can't get much more chill and low stakes than this steampunk airship city building game.

Stanley parable ultra deluxe there was a bit in the desert so it fits.

The looker as you played the witness I really recommend this parody

E: +1 to a short hike