personally, even ignoring any other implications of the “cozy” / “wholesome” Marketing Label, I’m averse to them because they suggest you couldn’t think of any better reason to play your video game.
you know when people talk about how the villagers in Animal Crossing used to be more rude and demanding, and it was frustrating at times, but it gave the whole thing a lot of character? and now they’re all just sort of Generically Pleasant, even the ones that are nominally supposed to be kind of standoffish? that’s where I’m at on “wholesome” games. you don’t have to be edgy but for the love of god don’t be edgeless. don’t be twee.
thinking about the Moomin books and how they’re stories about cute, silly cartoon animals that are also very aware of loneliness and longing. thinking about the way “Ghibli films” are often reduced to Well Rendered Anime Food and Pretty Meadows when people post about them, because the actual stories and characterizations aren’t as GIF-able or easy to generalize. thinking about Recettear, a fun and cute little shop simulator where the core concept is “if you fall behind on your bills you are ruined. you are a child and you will be completely ruined.”
there have to be ideas. you know? there have to be ideas.