What to play this weekend: Mostly wholesome, with a side of ocean adventure

Happy Friday, Watchers! Some crazy how we’re already halfway through the eighth month of 2024?! Since this is lies and chronology is a wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey mess, we need to enjoy all the extra gaming seconds we can muster. Luckily, we have some absolute delights this week’s game recommendations.

Release of the week: Just Crow Things

Like so many in the world, if you are fascinated by crows, you must check out Just Crow Things. You are a small and lonely crow, out to recover a stolen family heirloom by stealing all of the shiny things. Clearly, this is the absolute best way to earn the trust of your new animal friends, right? Instead, complete favors in this “level-based, sandbox-y adventure” to prove you’re the coolest new bird in town and build up your Crowputation, while spreading your personal touch of adorable chaos.

The game taps into some of the most fascinating facets about crows — for example, did you know that crows will use tools in real life? They do, and so will you in the game — spray cans to tag the neighborhood, leaf blowers to annoy people, or a blow torch to…well, clearly toast marshmallows. Clearly. Customize your crow with hats and scarves, fill out your Puncyclopedia, and yes, even unlock poop modes through different in-game foods. The world is your crow-yster.

Get Just Crow Things for $19.99 for Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC on Steam (Playstation version is coming soon).

Delightful DLC: DREDGE — The Iron Rig

Fans of DREDGE (the cosmic horror fishing adventure) rejoice, for the second official expansion is here! The Iron Rig adds a newly constructible destination to the game — the titular rig — with 2-5 hours of dedicated storyline and challenges that you can tackle at any point in your playthrough. The Iron Rig has you revisiting areas from the base DREDGE game, investigating ancient disturbances stirring in the deeps while you gather, craft, and deliver your way to victory. You may be assisting the Ironhaven Corporation in constructing its facilities (and earning items and gadgets yourself along the way), but watch out — their actual goals are a mystery.

Get DREDGE — The Iron Rig DLC for $11.99 for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC on Steam and GOG.

Early adventures / Community highlight: Fields of Mistria

Here’s another title for fans of Stardew Valley! Now in Early Access, Fields of Mistria is an adorable pixel art “spiritual successor to the Farm-Sim RPGs of the late 90s & onward,” where you discover magic, romance, and adventure as you work towards the farm of your dreams. The village of Mistria offers you a long-neglected potential homestead. In exchange, provide your assistance in restoring the town to its former glory following a devastating earthquake that happens to unlock some very strange magics. Customize your character, romance a potential marriage candidate, raise adorable animals, learn to wield magics to aid in your farming and adventuring, and more.

Get Fields of Mistria for $13.99 for PC on Steam.

Steal of a deal: Wholesome Games Celebration

It’s another Steam deal! Enjoy the cozy celebration as Wholesome Games highlights video games that “inspire optimism, joy, and introspection” for the coming week. The celebration includes world premiere game announcements, sales (including the newly released Just Crow Things), free demos, and fresh titles! There is something for everyone who loves the more purely delightful side of gaming, with over 100 discounted titles as possibilities. I have my eyes on nabbing The Palace on the Hill, which made it to my wishlist during the Wholesome Direct Indie Games Showcase.

Peruse the Wholesome Games Celebration on Steam from August 15 to August 21.

Now tell us, Watchers — what are you playing this weekend? Share in the comments below, and we’ll feature your new interest in next week’s round-up!