For our northern hemisphere friends it is getting into sweater weather. Autumn or Fall, or whatever you call it, it’s getting colder, it’s getting rainier. Crunchy leaves and big jumpers – my favorite time of year. Get into the autumn vibe this winter with these games you may have missed. Fall games don’t have to be spooky, they don’t have to be sweater weather cozy, there might just be something that you forgot made you feel warm and fuzzy.
Dungeons of Hinterberg
Take a trip to the Austrian Alps in Dungeons of Hinterberg. Playing as Luisa, you take a break from your life in the city and adventure out to Hinterberg. Hinterberg is a small town in the Austrian alps has been turned into an adventuring hot spot, doorways to magical dungeons full of creatures resembling European folklore such as goblins and witches.
Luisa sets off to venture into the dungeons around Hinterberg. There are four main areas for you to explore, Doberkogel, Hinterwald, Kolmstein and Brünnelsumpf.
While adventuring in the day you then have the evenings to explore the main town which is full of colourful characters for you to meet, learn skills from and learn about their lives in Hinterberg. The day cycle is similar to games like Persona, the main part of your day is choosing a region to explore for a dungeon or spending time with someone in that area, then the evening you are left to explore the main town, at night you can also read or watch tv but all these things you choose to do affect your stats and health for the next day. The dungeons are full of puzzles and magic, the combat is quick paced and there are magic spells that are specific to each area making combat feel like it’s new and changing and you move between the areas to find dungeons at your current level. Because the progression doesn’t go area by area but rather there are high and low levels in each area so you have reasons to go back and explore new corners of each region around Hinterberg.
Dungeons of Hinterberg is a snuggly dungeon crawler that can be played at your own pace. Also yes you can pet the dog.
Available on PC and Consoles.
Tiny Glade
The building game that has social media and cosy gamers attention for the last month. Tiny glade is a castle and medieval fantasy style building game. Build castles, towns and whatever you can imagine in Tiny Glade.
In Tiny Glade you pick a biome based on the seasons and you are placed in a clearing in the middle of the forest. Regardless of the season you choose this game gives me blanket and a hot drink when playing this game. A calm evening all toasty and building a small town. It is very free build after you have completed the tutorial. I would love to see some question lines from the Tiny Glade team in the future but that is maybe wishful thinking for a game that feels like you can build your idyllic village where fairies live.
The building controls are super simple and easy to pick up. It’s not over complicated if you’re not a building game pro. This game is so accessible and starter friendly. The minimalist controls and intuitive detailing system make it really satisfying and interesting to see what mini worlds you can create in the woods.
Many of the extra details can be changed and rotated through but some such as barrels and wheelbarrows appear based on the environment you’re building around the buildings.
Available on PC
Magical Delicacy
It is the witchy season. Even if for you fall is not a time for tricks and treats but you enjoy general halloweeny vibes, the Magical Delicacy might be the perfect balance for you.
In Magical Delicacy you play as ___, the new witch in town. She is setting off to set up her own restaurant / cafe. The town you enter is beautiful, full of colour in setting and in characters.
As ___ you explore the island of __, collect quests, recipes and ingredients and make potions and meals to support the townsfolk and local business economy. You may also run into another witch or two in your time there.
Magical Delicacy sounds like a slice of life style game, and it absolutely is. What I was not prepared for was varied platforming throughout the world. I knew it was a platformer but how you interact with the world is through your platforming and exploration. Somethings cannot be accessed until you have the right power, potion or have pulled the right lever; it makes what first appears to be a small island to be somewhere that has multiple identities, with secrets hidden around and different happenings and plants appearing by night.
Magical Delicacy is for the slower spooky players who want some magic this autumnal season. It’s so calming, the platforming draws you into the world but doesn’t crush your soul with difficulty (I am looking at you Celeste…). You can also pet the cats.
Available on PC and Consoles.
Oxenfree / Oxenfree 2
Okay I am going to let you know, this is my favorite game, I think ever or at least up until now. And I play A LOT of games generally and throughout my life. I am combining these because the original is my true LOVE and the second lived up to that and you might’ve missed it when it released last year.
Oxenfree is a narrative adventure. Alex, her friend, her new step-brother and her other brother’s girlfriend and her best friend- Alex and the gang travel out to Edwards Island, to do what teenagers do, get intoxicated on the beach away from adults and the realities of becoming an adult. (Please consume alcohol legally and responsibly). The island has a history of great tragedies taking place. They say it’s haunted. Alex with her trustee radio get lost in a ghostly adventure across the night.
I don’t want to say too much more for those who haven’t played it. The game is about 4 hours to complete and has different plots depending on your choices, so it has great replay value or great Halloween night value.
Last year, Night School Studios released the long-awaited sequel Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals. If you played the original back in 2016 and have not found anything that scratches that itch, Oxenfree 2 is here to help. Well, it was released in July 2023, but here is your sign to PLAY IT!
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals, much like its predecessor is a supernatural thriller on Edward’s Island. Riley has returned to her hometown after many parts of her life fell apart, taking a job as a research assistant, she explores out, finding her team along the way to plant radio transmitters so the island’s strange occurrences can be studied. In Oxenfree 2 you learn more about the island’s history as well as the characters. The dialogue options are just as fun, and the island’s exploration makes it feel new.
Have your night go banana bread, real fast (if you know, you know). Both Oxenfree games are available on PC and Consoles.
Have a wonderful fall season, and play some games. Maybe these ones if you’re nice.
Let me know what your favorite fall/autumn game is. What gives you that crunchy leaf vibe?
Get ready for some hilarious moments in Sprunki Mustard, the game where everything is crazier (and yellower) than you’d ever expect!