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.
It looks vaguely familiar. I think I watched one of the kids in my neighborhood play it
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
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 :)
Never heard of it, looks amazing, I'll check it out, thanks
Have you enjoyed any of the recommendations OP? I like your original list/taste and am wondering what else fit the aesthetic
"What Remains of Edith Finch" could work. And "Man eater." What's more summer than a a shark?
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. :)
Ryza could be perfect!
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:
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.
I'm not sure if it quite fits but the first game that came to mind was Minami Lane
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.
There have been some (spiritual) sequels which have been or soon will be localized. Perhaps those can be an entry for anyone to see if the genre floats your boat!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2061250/Shin_chan_Me_and_the_Professor_on_Summer_Vacation_The_Endless_SevenDay_Journey/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/2839280/NatsuMon_20th_Century_Summer_Kid/
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
I'll 100% play the looker
Try Stranded Sails. It's a tight little adventure game.
The big con looks promising
It’s fun and simple. I feel like it’s pretty in line with the vibe you’re looking for. Someone else suggested Dave the Diver and that one is a great recommendation.
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.
Looks super cute
Brothers a Tale of Two Sons
Seasons After Fall
A Story About my Uncle
Subnautica
Raft
Ori 1 and 2 maybe
Castle Crashers
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