Who would have thought that a cozy survival game from a fairy tale would be exactly what I need in these autumn, gloomy days? Winter Burrow draws you in with its cute graphic style and simple loop… and then reminds you that you're basically just a little mouse in a big forest full of icy roads and emotional obligations you didn't ask for.
Just like in real life.
Our little mouse with a tragic story returns to the old family house in the forest, everything is destroyed, and the house is cold, dusty and half-ruined. Our mission? Repair your home, restore it to its former glory, survive the winter and help other animals, who, admittedly, treat us as if we owe them from birth.
The gameplay loop is simple: collect twigs, berries and mushrooms, craft tools, fix your house, meet your neighbors and help them. Interwoven through all this is the story of emotional maturation and progress, as well as the creation of new friendships. The pace of the game is very easy. Relaxed, warm and meditative.
While there are quests that lead you to new tools, crafting recipes, and new zones to explore, there's no stopping you from grinding what you can for now, because you'll definitely need it. At the same time, you need to pay attention to four items: health, stamina, hunger and temperature. As you progress through the game, you'll be able to knit warmer clothes, cook food that gives you certain buffs, or craft small skis to make your way through a blizzard easier.
Visually, the game is absolutely gorgeous. The forest looks like an illustration from a children's book. Everything is small, warm, tender and full of snow. The animations are charming, and the soundtrack perfectly complements the atmosphere of the game. The small sighs and exclamations of our mouse authentically convey his feelings: when he freezes he moans, when he runs he is out of breath, and when he lies down in bed he sighs with satisfaction, because the hard day is finally over.
You will meet various animals, frogs, birds, badgers, and each has its own character. Some are lovely and some are strange. Some have the energy of a cousin who thinks he knows "what he should be doing with his life. The interactions are simple, and often serve to reveal some new mechanic, but they're warm enough to make you laugh, and fit fluidly into the story.
The game throws into the mix Stardew Valley, a lite version of Dont Starve, with a bit of The Long Dark sprinkled on top, without too much stress. When your health drops to zero, you don't die a brutal death. The mouse simply collapses and wakes up in safe shelter, usually in its own house or with a friendly NPC who rescues it. Of course, with a penalty: you lose some of the resources you were carrying.
Not everything is perfect. Sometimes it takes you 30 minutes to get three stupid mushrooms for some squirrel special tea, or three acorns for a sandwich that never seem to respawn where I last saw them, so it drags on. But hey, the cozy genre isn't there to stimulate you like a boss fight in Dark Souls, but instead gives you a blanket and says: "Get some rest. Enough stress for today." I hope the game gets more updates as it has potential for additional content.
Winter burrow is a game that combines nostalgia, warmth and slight sadness into one small world that you can easily return to. It's not revolutionary, it's not too deep, but it's honestly good. Warm, calm and comforting. Perfect for playing in the coming winter months, when we probably won't have real snow outside. Although I reviewed the game on PC, I believe I will buy it for Switch as well. I think it's perfect for cozy handheld gaming on the couch. If you need an escape, this is the game for you.
A copy of the game was provided for review purposes by the development studio Pine Creek Games and the publisher Noodlecake
