Emily’s summer spent at her grandpa’s house was pretty dull—until the demons showed up! In the creepy-cozy pixel-art world of Bloomtown: A Different Story, you’ll team up with other kids (and a chatty corgi named Hugo) to explore the Underside, where residents’ fears manifest as literal monsters. Clobber baddies with a baseball bat, blast them with newfound magical abilities, or capture them and steal their skills. Just make sure you’re back before curfew!

What we love: The alluring mix of carefree summer fun and over-the-top turn-based battles. Can you catch a fish and cook it for dinner? Yes. Can you unleash a cyborg T. Rex demon on a murderous Puss in Boots? Also yes! And it all gels incredibly well.

Quick tip: In the early going, put stat points into the charm skill. It’s important for convincing people to give you stuff—like sweet-talking Grandpa into letting you keep the change from your grocery store run.

Meet the creator: Bloomtown: A Different Story was crafted through a joint effort by two Lithuanian indie studios: Lazy Bear Games and Different Sense Games. Lazy Bear is also known for Graveyard Keeper and the Punch Club series.