Summer at your fingertips: here are 5 essential independent games to help you forget the cold

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As the mercury flirts with negative temperatures, there's nothing like&amp ;#8217;a virtual getaway under a radiant sun to cheat the winter gloom. Here is a selection of five independent games that will instantly transport you to more clement lands. If you are a total fan of winter, don't forget to check out our other list of games that will keep you in this icy atmosphere.

A paradise island with a thousand colors

Summer in Mara, a jewel of the Spanish studio Chibig, invites you to follow the adventures of Koa, a young heroine with a strong temperament. In this shimmering universe mixing farming and maritime exploration, and each day will bring its share of discoveries. You will be able to sail aboard your own boat in a vast archipelago, each island harboring its own secrets and colorful inhabitants.

The cultivation and crafting system, perfectly integrated into the narrative, allows you to create more than 150 useful objects for your progression that will help you accomplish the hundreds of quests that the game offers. Cultivate, fish, cut wood, explore, etc. No room for boredom!

Released on June 16, 2020 on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, Summer in Mara is a real success. Its artistic direction clearly inspired by the works of Studio Ghibli, its peaceful rhythm which invites contemplation and its atmosphere feel good hit the mark.

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Mysteries and secrets in the forests of Wyoming

Firewatch, the first creation of the talented Campo Santo studio, puts you in the shoes of Henry, a ranger fleeing his past. In the scorching summer of 1989, your watchtower overlooks the majestic forests of Shoshone National Park.

As the days go by, punctuated by radio conversations with your supervisor Delilah, a captivating plot is woven that will always make you want to go further and discover what is going on in the park. A warm atmosphere, a shimmering artistic direction that smells of nature, an atmospheric soundtrack composed by Chris Remo and a very well-conducted narration make this (too) short adventure a real pleasure game.

Firewatch has been available since February 9, 2016 on PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and macOS, and has since become a reference for walking simulator.

The Call of the Mediterranean

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure will transport you to the fictional Mediterranean island of Pinar del Mar. Studio Ustwo games depicts the summer vacation of Alba, an 11-year-old apprentice photographer, at her grandparents' house. Armed with just her smartphone, she wanders around taking pictures of the dozens of animal species present in the game.

Every corner of the island is a real treasure to discover, populated by a very varied fauna and each of your escapades will be accompanied by musical themes inspired by Spanish culture.

The title aptly addresses environmental issues through an awareness campaign led by Alba and her friend Inès to save this threatened nature reserve. Released since December 11, 2020 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure will be perfect for both children and adults. It's calm, relaxing as you wish and we can only advise you to join the sunny shores of Pinar del Mar.

A cubic adventure in the tropics

The Touryst, created by Shin’en Multimedia, revisits the codes of the adventure/puzzle game through a unique visual style, its universe being composed entirely of voxels. Embodying a relaxed tourist in a Hawaiian shirt, you will also explore an archipelago with Polynesian and Mediterranean influences, called Monument Islands. Each island comes with its own set of puzzles, fun activities (scuba diving, caving, arcade games, etc.) and ancient monuments to explore.

If you like the low-poly style, the one in The Touryst is impeccably done and underlined by beautiful lighting effects. Available since November 21, 2019 on Nintendo Switch and July 30, 2020 on PC, Xbone One, Xbox Series, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.

Beyond their stylistic and mechanical differences, these five games share the same desire: to offer you a haven of peace virtual, where chill is the key word. Very nice invitations to travel, particularly welcome when winter is in full swing.

• Summer in Mara and The Touryst offer a mix of maritime exploration and puzzles in a vibrant summer atmosphere.
• Firewatch and Alba mix introspection, mystery and ecological commitment in sublime settings.
• Slime Rancher reinvents farming simulation by giving you the possibility of raising slimes on an alien planet.

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