Summer vacations are always a blast, but this year’s video game lineup proves that there are also plenty of adventures awaiting at home.
From exploring Paris and tending to a magical bakery to restoring idyllic farming villages and fighting predatory salmon, this summer’s releases offer charm, nostalgia and action. Returning to beloved franchises and introducing completely new stories, developers are embracing the imaginative with colorful aesthetics and new gameplay experiences.
Grab a controller and read on for Daily Bruin’s summer video game picks.
Splatoon Raiders (Nintendo Switch 2) — July 23
It’s salmon hunting season in the world of “Splatoon.”
Released July 23, nearly four years after the third installment of the “Splatoon” series, “Splatoon Raiders” marks the first spinoff entry in the beloved shooter franchise. Deviating from the series’ traditional multiplayer format, “Splatoon Raiders” is a single-player experience – a continuation of the Salmon Run campaign from “Splatoon 3.”
Set in the remote Spirhalite Islands, the game follows players as they assume the role of the Mechanic, a wayward treasure hunter scavenging for loot on the archipelago. In lieu of fighting other players in turf-war style matches, the Mechanic must fight off hordes of carnivorous salmon, or Salmonids, to retrieve rare artifacts and supplies needed to return home.
“Splatoon Raiders” provides not only an adventure narrative, but also an expansion for a core franchise feature: customization. Series veterans and newcomers alike can choose from 11 weapon classes, specialized ink tanks and gadget upgrade systems – not to mention seemingly endless new wardrobe options.
Equipped with a compelling story and endless customization, “Splatoon Raiders” sends players to fend off the Salmonids.
– Davis Hoffman
Fields of Mistria (PC) — Aug. 5
A pixel-perfect harvest awaits in “Fields of Mistria.”
The fantasy farming simulator will be released Aug. 5 after two years of early access development. PC players will be able to explore the quaint village of Mistria, where magical mystique melds with a roleplaying game narrative. After donning farmer hats, players will be tasked with restoring Mistria’s earthquake-wrought damage by maintaining crops and befriending the town’s 30+ unique villagers.
With its pastel color palette and robust customization options, “Fields of Mistria” breathes new life into the pixel art aesthetic that characterized 90s farming games like “Harvest Moon.” Players can also build relationships with and eventually marry one of twelve romanceable characters, each connection featuring distinct story-driven dialogue. As much as it allows players to embrace the slower pace of farm life, “Fields of Mistria” also encourages adventurous gameplay with foe-filled ruins and hidden magical secrets.
Inhabited by its vibrant cast and a nostalgic retro warmth, Mistria evokes the cozy charm of classic farming games.
– Gwendolyn Lopez
The Witch’s Bakery (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Switch 2, PC) — Oct. 14
“The Witch’s Bakery” is serving up something magical.
Releasing on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC on Oct. 14, the cozy adventure role-playing game explores daily life through the eyes of Lunne, an effervescent young witch running a bakery in Paris. During the day, Lunne sells delicious pastries to her customers and uses her magical ability to peer into their hearts and heal their emotions. In the evening, she explores the city. “The Witch’s Bakery” also includes an interactive map of Paris, featuring both famous monuments and hidden gems. This allows players to explore the City of Love from the comfort of their home.
Sunny Lab, an indie video game studio founded in 2022, produced “The Witch’s Bakery.” Drawing on experience working on “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla,” “A Plague Tale” and “Brave Frontier RPG,” Sunny Lab focuses on creating games that emphasize sincerity, optimism and adventure. The video game studio also used funding from Kickstarter to foster a collaborative relationship between developers and players.
“The Witch’s Bakery” promises to warm the oven and the heart this summer.
– Julia Kinion
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