Upcoming Indie Games Releasing in June 2026
- Narukoopa
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
I know, I know, I’m late. Here I am talking about indie games releasing in June when we are already a third of the way through June. Better late than never, right? At least, that’s the mentality I have been using as my coping mechanism in all of this.
Work, and life in general, have been getting in the way of my writing, but also the way I plan my projects could be a lot better. I start too many things and have a hard time working on them consistently. It’s something I’m trying to improve.
But anyway, enough about me. I said I was going to come back, and here I am with five indie games releasing this month. Some of these have released already, and I implore you to check them out if they interest you.
I will admit, this is more of a cosy month, at least judging from the games I have chosen. The genre and style of these cosy titles, however, varies quite a bit, whether that’s by building your own zoo or constructing a cottage on a floating island. There’s still something here for everybody.
So without further ado, let’s begin.
Ourlands
Ourlands is a cosy sandbox game that sees you creating tranquil islands. There are no goals or objectives. The only rule is to use your imagination and creativity to handcraft your own little paradise.
We’re starting the month off with a pretty laid-back experience that doesn’t ask too much of you. Everything about its presentation is meant to instil relaxation. There is no pressure to reach a certain standard or obtain a perfect result. Your islands are meant to be an expression of you and your design approach.
The more you play, the more Ourlands rewards you with new items that can be used for future islands, which gives the game a welcoming amount of replayability. It’s an experience meant for wholesome vibes, but it also gives you an incentive to keep playing.
In terms of its customisation, the type of island you want to build is entirely up to you. It can be a beach paradise, a small forest, a remote hideaway, an animal sanctuary, etc. These islands can be of any shape and size, but they all feature a beautifully vibrant art style that comes in tandem with the game’s relaxed pace.
Once completed, islands can be shared with other people through the use of the in-game “postcard” mode, which allows you to take pictures of your island and adorn them with stickers and frames to make it look like you’re sending a postcard while on holiday.
By the time you read this article, Ourlands will have already been released, and can be purchased through Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Swan Song
We’re keeping the casual feel going with this next game. Swan Song is a very clever puzzle game that sees you programming a music box in order to guide a swan to its destination. This is done through careful placement of music notes that alter specific platforms the swan uses to traverse the music box.
It’s all about creating the right sequence of notes and placing them in the right spots. Once you’re confident that you’ve got it right, you twist the key and are then able to watch the result. All of this taking place on a serene backdrop that feels just as delicate as the music you are making.
There is also a story that is stated to include sensitive topics revolving around death and terminal illness, which might make Swan Song tough to recommend for some people, but its presentation is heartfelt.
The game begins with you discovering this old music box. It is filled with secrets and artifacts that tell the story of the box’s creator, detailing what happened to them, as well as their family. Each puzzle you solve gives you an extra piece of history that provides a clearer picture.
I featured Swan Song on this list simply because of how unique its main puzzle mechanic is, but the story and presentation make this a potential stand out indie title of the month. Like Ourlands, this one will also be released by the time you read this, and will be available for purchase on Steam.
Solarpunk
The next one on this list has the potential to do very well once it releases. Solarpunk is an open world survival game that spans across a landscape with… very little land in it. The world is fragmented into floating islands of varying shapes and sizes.
Finding yourself stranded on one of these islands, you must build your own settlement, maintain it by generating your own power, and explore your surroundings to construct a base. All of this can be done alone, or with friends.
There is a strong, eco-friendly design approach to Solarpunk that also serves as a main selling point for the game. There is no exploitation of the land or the wildlife around you, but instead you must learn to coexist with your island.
In terms of gathering energy, this can only be done through environment-friendly means, such as using solar panels and wind turbines. How much energy you obtain can vary depending on weather conditions, so it’s important to have backup means of power in case things fall apart. Aspects like this give Solarpunk a level of strategy and the requirement of forward-thinking.
Once your power generation is strong enough, you can begin to automate certain systems, such as watering systems for your crops. Farming is a necessity when it comes to obtaining food for yourself, as well as your animals.
Exploration is another important element of the game. Eventually you can craft an airship which can be used to traverse your surrounding islands, acquire new resources, and expand your reach.
This is yet another cosy game in some ways. There is no stress or pressure. The visuals are bright and colourful. The idea of building your own home is an integral part of the experience. And you can do all of this with your friends. Solarpunk is out now on Steam, PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Thank You For Your Application
Going in a very different direction now, Thank You For Your Application is a narrative-driven simulation game that sees you playing as a newly employed interviewer conducting interviews on behalf of a large conglomerate called Aeropolis.
Your job is to review potential candidates by analysing their resumes, looking into their academic history, and also reviewing their emotional wellbeing. If the presentation isn’t obvious, this game takes place in a dystopic world. Finding a job is extremely difficult, and living standards are desperately poor.
Even your character, although employed, still doesn’t have it easy. You are trusted to do your job, but the company is watching. Who you choose to approve can have diverse impacts on the way the narrative progresses. Every choice you make has weight, and some of these interviews will have you come face to face with moral and ethical dilemmas.
Outside of interviewing, maintaining your own mental health is important, and is done through using money you have earned from your job and spending it on room decorations, drinks and medication. You also need to pay your bills, otherwise you won’t have a place to live and you will lose your job.
It’s very much a game inspired by the likes of Paper’s Please, both in tone and aesthetic. Nevertheless, the worldbuilding sounds compelling, and the art style is excellent. Plenty of reasons to look forward to this one. It comes out on Steam and Epic Games Store on the 19th of June.
Pawsome Resort
June really is the cosy indie game month. I did look extensively, I swear. There’s just a lot of cosy games releasing this month. Another one of those is Pawesome Resort, an intriguing blend of Stardew Valley and Zoo Tycoon.
It’s a cosy life sim that has zoo management, farming mechanics, RPG elements, quests and romanceable NPCs with their own storylines, decorating and designing, fishing and crafting… basically a piece of everything.
Pawesome Resort describes itself as the “cosy retreat”, and watching the trailer for it, you can see why that is. While very much reminiscent of Stardew Valley in its presentation, its zoo management systems make it immediately stand out.
You have obtained a new piece of land that used to be a local animal resort for the people of nearby Pebble Town. It has long since been abandoned, so it is up to you to bring it back to its original glory.
In terms of animals, there is a wide range. You have cats, dogs, pigs, sheep, etc. Then you have camels, bears, alpacas, giraffes, polar bears, flamingos, crocodiles, elephants. Doesn’t matter where you’re from, you’re more than welcome in this resort.
Once things get going, guests will start visiting, and it’s up to you to make sure that the guests' needs are met. Same goes for the people of Pebble Town, who you can interact and develop relationships with.
There is so much I could go into with this game that I couldn’t possibly cover in this article, because it really is huge. If readers are interested in a deep dive I would be more than happy to write one up. Regardless, you can check it out for yourself when it releases on 22nd of June on Steam.
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