New York Public Library's 12th annual Anti-Prom is quickly approaching on Friday, June 17.

Anti-Prom is "an alternative, safe space for teens who may not feel welcome at official school programs or dances because of their sexuality, gender presentation, the way they dress, or any other reason," and is open to all New York City students (age 12 to 18).

This year, NYPLarcade will offer attendees the opportunity to play two video games, which reflect the event's secret garden theme: Stardew Valley and Beyond Eyes. For those unable to attend or for those who would like to join in on the festivities virtually, below are 10 garden games you can download for the PC or Mac (half of which are free).

Stardew Valley
(ConcernedApe, 2016)

Stardew Valley invokes the relaxing, cyclical gameplay of the Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing series. Yet, it also brings updates to the genre, adding same-sex romance options and a prologue set in a dystopic version of Silicon Valley.

More info at stardewvalley.net

Botanicula
(Amanita Design, 2012)

Botanicula is a point-and-click adventure game by the Czech studio  who also created the Samorost series and Machinarium. Players solve puzzles using the unique abilities of Mr. Lantern, Mr. Twig, Mr. Poppy Head, Mr. Feather and Mrs. Mushroom to save their forest home. 

More info at botanicula.net

Beyond Eyes
(Tiger and Squid, 2015)

Norweigian developer Tiger and Squid tells a touching fairytale featuring Rae (who was blinded by an accident in her youth) and her pet cat Nani as they venture beyond their idyllic garden to explore the world beyond.

More info at beyondeyes-game.net

Waking Mars
(Tiger Style, 2012)

Master the alien ecosystem and exotic plants of Mars in this science fiction adventure game by the makers of iOS classic Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor and its sequel.

More info at tigerstylegames.com

Grow Home
(Ubisoft, 2015)

In Grow Home, players assume the role of a procedurally-animated robot named BUD (Botanical Utility Droid) who climbs, jumps, and explores an ever-changing environment in a quest to save his home planet.

More info at ubisoft.com

Viridi
(Ice Water Games, 2015)

Viridi is a succulent-garden simulator released by the developers of experimental, first-person exploration game Eidolon. Plant seeds, pull weeds, sing to a snail, and watch your potted garden grow.

Free Download (PC, Mac) on Steam

Garden
(Managore, 2015)

Garden is a whimsical, isometric adventure game about an otherworldly garden with design by Daniel Lissen (@Managore), audio by Martin Kvale  (@MartinKvale), and art by @takorii.

Free Download (PC) on itch.io

Personal Valley
(Backtteria, 2016)

Personal Valley was made for Ludum Dare 34, in which designers were challenged to create games dealing with the themes of growing and two-button controls. It's an exploration of minimalist input and the imagined microworld of insects and bacteria.

Free Download (PC) on itch.io

NedraG
(Jonas Mumm, 2016)

Also made for Ludum Dare 34, NedraG is a visually-sprawling game in which the player directs a flowering vine upwards, using the arrow keys, to rescue imperiled heroes from giant wasps.

Free Download (PC) on itch.io

One Day I'll Be A Flower
(Ovidios, 2015)

One Day I'll Be A Flower is a final selection from Ludum Dare 34. It offers a clever plant growth simulation in which one must manage various resources (leaves, sugar sunlight) in an attempt to grow the tallest plant.

Free Download (PC, Mac) on itch.io

 

 

Want to learn more about NYPLarcade? Follow us on Twitter (@nyplarcade) or sign up for our mailing list to hear about upcoming events. You can also join us for Duskers (Misfits Attic, 2016) on Tuesday, June 28 at Jefferson Market Library.

Please feel free to contact Thomas Knowlton at thomasknowlton@nypl.org if you any questions.