A gaming community free from the hype and oversaturation of current releases, catering to gamers who wait at least 12 months after release to play a game. Whether it's price, waiting for bugs/issues to be patched, DLC to be released, don't meet the system requirements, or just haven't had the time to keep up with the latest releases.
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Surprised TOEM isn't on your list, given the premise is pretty much exactly what you describe. Last I checked it comes up on the first page or something if you sort steam by highest rated.
Lunacid might also be a good game. I think it fits your criteria for me, but that might just be for me.
A lot of nice suggestions already, I'd like to add the Sorcery! games if you don't mind reading and enjoy exploring.
I personally really loved the world it portrayed and the tried so many different ways to finish the story.
Also, it has great maps, and I love maps :)
Never heard of it, looks amazing, I'll check it out, thanks
Have you enjoyed any of the recommendations OP? I like your original list/taste and am wondering what else fit the aesthetic
Here Comes Niko, "the cozy 3D platformer for tired people." You play an adorable sprite leaping around a tropical island chain. I don't think it has failure modes, in general.
Looks super cute
Stanley parable ultra deluxe there was a bit in the desert so it fits.
The looker as you played the witness I really recommend this parody
E: +1 to a short hike
I'll 100% play the looker
The Wreck
The big con looks promising
It’s fun and simple. I feel like it’s pretty in line with the vibe you’re looking for. Someone else suggested Dave the Diver and that one is a great recommendation.
Try Stranded Sails. It's a tight little adventure game.
Castle Crashers
The Long Drive and My Summer Car are literally everything you describe wanting in two distinct flavors.
I also was immediately thinking "The Quarry," which is essentially a playable horror movie set at a summer camp. I don't usually like these types of games, but this one is extremely good if you like horror movies.
Funny that you mention Life of Strange because it’s actually set in Autumn, but it does kinda have the vibes you describe. What does have way more summer vibes though is the prequel, Before the Storm, totally worth it if you’ve haven’t played it.
My opinion of life is strange is kinda complicated I liked it as a "Summer Game" because it had the right vibes while I played it but after I was done I was disappointed. The game hypes it's "your action have consequences" system up constantly but it's usually just a different dialogue or short scene which doesn't affect the story in a major way. Which is fine for a game in general but not when it pretends it's different.
Brothers a Tale of Two Sons
Seasons After Fall
A Story About my Uncle
Subnautica
Raft
Ori 1 and 2 maybe
The Uncharted series? It's okay to play on an easy difficulty level, and they're not too hard anyway.