@nvgotd
Because there is more to video games than guns and gore. A new recommendation (almost) every day. Compiled by @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social Book available now: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Best-Non-Violent-Video-Games-Hardback/p/23674
QUILTS AND CATS OF CALICO
Cozy board game in which you sew hexagons of fabric together to create a beautiful quilt and attract adorable cats
[ PC, Mac, PS5, XSX, Sw, iOS, Andr / 2024 / @monstercouch.bsky.social @flatoutgames.bsky.social ]
www.monstercouch.com/quilts-and-c...
PANCITOMERGE
Bread-themed drop-matching game in which you merge items to create new treats and fulfil customers' requests. Developed as a love letter to Mexican baking and culture
[ PC, Mac, Linux / 2026 / @fayer.dev ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3655610/...
BIG HOPS
Help Hop find his way home in this 3D froggy parkour platformer where you use your tongue, springy legs, and special vegetables for create your own paths through each level
[ PC, PS5, Switch / 2026 / @luckshotgames.com ]
www.luckshotgames.com/big-hops
10 DAYS TO GO!
The History of the Pokรฉmon Games features:
๐ฎ Over 150 games
๐งโ๐ป In-depth chapters on the making of Gens 1-9
๐ค Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social (the original Ash Ketchum)
โFun facts to fascinate any Pokรฉfan
Pre-order today: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
The History of the Pokรฉmon Games, published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social, is out in two weeks from today!
Want to know more? Ask me anything!
(I'll pre-empt the first question: you can buy it here - www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
Fun Fact: There are at least 57 non-violent games featured in this book, so you should definitely buy it.
OUTSIDE THE BLOCKS
@otbgame.bsky.social
This incredibly detailed model-builder lets you create practically any scene you can imagine, then show it off with Photo Mode
[ PC / 2025 / Michaล Kubas ]
store.steampowered.com/app/2350220/...
ITHYA: MAGIC STUDIES
Cozy productivity game set in a beautiful, hand-drawn fantasy world with tons of original music. Journey as a travelling and create the perfect environment for study
[ PC, Mac / 2025 / Blue Turtle
]
www.blueturtle-design.com/game
You're welcome!
KOKORO KITCHEN
Cozy farm-to-table management game in which you restore a rundown Japanese restaurant in the spirit realm with the help of Alan, a ghost chicken/poultry-geist
[ PC, Mac / 2025 / @mangoleafgames.bsky.social ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3079770/...
THE AUGUST BEFORE
3D puzzle game in which you clean up rooms and pack away the items you find in order to learn more about the life-changing moves the character is going through
[ PC / 2025 / Silly Little Games, @catoptricgames.bsky.social ]
the-august-before.tilda.ws
Technically, it's 28 days to go now but the point still stands: pre-order my new book! (Please)
BITS & BOPS
Collection of delightful rhythm-action mini-games presented in hand-drawn 2D animation. Also coming to consoles
[ PC, Mac, Linux / 2025 / @tempolab.games ]
www.tempolabgames.com
MY LITTLE SPIDER
A cute little spider lives on your desktop, catching bugs for you to collect, catalogue and sell. Spend the money on upgrades (to catch rarer bugs) or hats for your spider
[ PC / 2025 / @9fingergames.bsky.social @evantor.bsky.social ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3854330/...
LOK DIGITAL
Adaptation of acclaimed pen & paper puzzle book LOK. Learn words from a strange language and use their mysterious powers to clear each grid. Now on Switch!
[ PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Switch / 2024 / @letibus.bsky.social @icedropgames.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social ]
lok-digital.com
UMAMI
Cosy 3D puzzle game about fitting wooden blocks together to create statues of delicious, towering food
[ PC / 2025 / @mimmox.bsky.social ]
mimmox.com
THE BERLIN APARTMENT
As a father and daughter renovate an old apartment in Berlin, they discover the stories of those who lived there
[ 2025 / @bluebackpack.bsky.social ]
PC: store.steampowered.com/app/2280430/...
PS5: store.playstation.com/en-gb/concep...
XSX: www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/...
TINY LANDS 2
Explore 3D dioramas as you try to find all the differences, and collect hidden jigsaw pieces to unlock secrets
[ PC, Switch / 2025 / Hyper 3 Studio ]
Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2213330/...
Switch: www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/...
BABBLING BROOK
Relaxing game in which you sculpt the landscape to create and guide streams through lush forests and sprawling meadows, helping a flock of rubber ducks escape to the sea
[ PC / 2025 / @srd-ramon.bsky.social ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3672300/...
GALLERIA
Cosy anthropomorphic art gallery simulator that runs along the bottom of your screen. Hire artists, create paintings, and grow your gallery while you work or study
[ PC / 2025 / Maru Studio ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3920630/...
ILA: A FROSTY GLIDE
In this mini open world adventure, you play a young witch-in-training using her skatebroom to search a magical island for her lost cat
[ PC, PS5, XSX, Switch / 2025 / @magicrainstudios.bsky.social ]
www.magicrainstudios.com
LETTERS TO ARRALLA
In this cozy adventure, you are a turnip delivering mail to fellow vegetables and other colourful characters on an Australian island
[ PC / 2025 / Little Pink Clouds ]
www.littlepinkclouds.com
SIPS AND SONNETS
In this visual novel, you run a tea shop in the British countryside and help customers with their problems through a mix of poetry and the obligatory hot beverages
[ PC / 2025 / Blue Tango Street ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3176190/...
TALES OF THE SHIRE
One does not simply walk into the Shire. One must also decorates their Hobbit hole, build the town, cook, fish, forage, trade, and (most of all) relax
[ PC, PS5, XSX, Switch / 2025 / @wetaworkshop.bsky.social @privatedivision.com ]
talesoftheshire.com
Sadly, that's not on the book (my understanding is there's some boss fights in between all the wabbit wescuing)
And huge thanks again to @penandswordbooks.bsky.social for giving me this opportunity!
If you haven't already, be sure to buy a copy of The Best Non-Violent Video Games
Pen & Sword www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Best-Non...
Castmate (US) www.casemateipm.com/978139908492...
Amazon www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Non-Vio...
Waterstones www.waterstones.com/book/the-bes...
"Itโs not pushing pacifism; itโs about what interaction can mean beyond harm... These arenโt just 'safe' games for kids; theyโre clever, inventive, and often deeply emotional experiences"
Amazing review from @thevideogamelibrary.org. Thank you!
thevideogamelibrary.substack.com/p/book-spotl...
Oops. I'll look into it. I thought you just transform people into monsters, vampires, etc
SPOOKY EXPRESS
Cutesy horror-themed puzzle game where you need to build a railway line to take vampires, zombies and monsters home - and stranded humans to safety
[ PC, Mac, iOS, Android / 2025 / @draknek.bsky.social ]
spooky.express