Monday, I answered when REMATCH is getting its crossplay update, and I (of course) mentioned I am late on the review. I won’t be late with today’s review, however. Tuesday, David spoke about WoW still being a thing that is needlessly convoluted. Wednesday, Geoff hired a blonde woman with no stage presence for a crowd that gave her nothing, as the two announced games we already knew about and a new LEGO Batman, while Taylor covered Nintendo’s Direct on Kirby Air Riders. Ok, latest Direct at the time of writing, Nintendo has another scheduled for next week, probably. Thursday, the new expansion to WoW has pre-orders, despite not releasing until 2026.

Moving on to the Epic Games Store, and it is another double bill when I’ve been fist deep in mud, strangling snakes, blowing up bridges, and helping Bugs Bunny write that note before he shoots himself in the back 17 times. Right, now that I’ve been as cryptic as Kojima himself, let’s talk about Bad Viking’s 2022 title, Strange Horticulture. The theme this week seems to be that work-based cozy game, and this example is one of solving occult puzzles based on descriptions and drawings of plants to ease a customer’s mind. Sometimes it is mental health, other times it is a rash.

I think calling Strange Horticulture a detective sort of game might seem odd; you’re just running a shop in Northern England. However, there is a darker story going on underneath its bleak surface. With the discovery of which plants a customer wants/needs for their ailment, the discovery of details can be very detective-esque. At only a couple of hours long, you’re going to quickly discover if you enjoy Strange Horticulture and will likely complete it in only a few sittings.

Onto the second wholesome offering this week, which I believe we last spoke about during a Wholesome Direct, Humble Reeds’ Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is delightful. Taking a leap of logic here, French Studio Humble Reeds are using the meaning of “Kamaeru,” which means to set things up. Released in 2024, Kamaeru sees you build and maintain a frog sanctuary to increase the “biodiversity of the wetlands,” be it places for frogs to rest or places to eat tasty bugs. Maybe even recreate that 1995 Super Bowl ad.

It’s true of the studio’s two titles; its new one is still to get a release date after the reveal during this year’s Wholesome Direct, but the sticker-like art direction and pastel colors give Kamaeru a unique look. One that’s inviting and is just begging for you to play during a rainy day with a hot, chocolatey drink (coffee or hot chocolate) and just relax. Delightful and charming, I highly recommend this colorful, cozy little management sort of game.

All this week, you can pick up Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge and Stranger Horticulture on the Epic Games Store until the 28th of August, with the latter also available on the Epic Games Store mobile app for Android worldwide and iOS in the EU. Moving on to next week, it is another double bill with a less defined theme? First up would be Amanita Design’s (oh great…) Machinarium, a 2009 point-and-click adventure puzzle that looks as if it were Chris Wedge’s Robots made by Eastern Europeans. The second offering is Ice BEAM’s 2023 Matchbox racing, Trackmania crossed with Mario Kart-like, Make Way.

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