.png)
Winter Burrow Review
- Eloise Crawford
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
Cozy games have exploded in popularity over the last few years, making it increasingly difficult for any single title to distinguish itself in this crowded genre. Pine Creek Games rises to this challenge with Winter Burrow, a woodland survival game that manages to feel both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly unique. This single-player indie experience casts you as a young mouse returning to your childhood home deep in the forest; a place you and your loved ones affectionately call "The Burrow."
The story begins with you, the young mouse, reminiscing about The Burrow and the lovely memories you have from your childhood. You remember quality time with your mother and father, captivating stories shared by your Auntie Betulina, and the simple joys of woodland life. Your family leaves the Burrow for a life in the City, where both of your parents succumb to the relentless demands of modern life, working themselves to death. Refusing to follow that same path, you head back to The Burrow, where you hope to find your Auntie Betulina and bring life to the Burrow once more.
As the gameplay begins, the screen finishes loading to display a lovely hand-drawn environment. Visually, the game is stunning. Each section of the map is dripping with love and care, from the paths made of fallen leaves peeking over the snow to the small patches of clover that line your pathways. As time passes, the lighting changes and each detail is so intricately laid out that it’s hard not to appreciate it.
The musical score suits the hand-drawn theme very well, a perfect balance of peace during moments of exploration and fast-paced drumming to signify moments of danger. Though reminiscent of the music found in Ori and The Will of the Wisps, I feel the music is distinct enough that it can stand on its own two feet while also helping to build the world of Winter Burrow.
I haven't finished Winter Burrow yet, but I have every intention of finishing the game. Despite being labeled a “cozy game”, I’ve had a difficult time navigating the large world because there is no built-in map. Though, in a way, it works out in the game’s favor, as I’ve had to really pay attention to the details of each section of the forest just to remember how to find my way home. If you’re anything like me, a player who would prefer a map, this game may be difficult for you too. But I promise, it does feel worth it.
Winter Burrow is so inviting, it can be easy to forget just how gorgeous it is.
Winter Burrow feels like it’s designed towards the type of player that likes crafting and gathering. With many different items to decorate the Burrow with (such as beds and tables), your only limit is your own creativity. As far as gathering goes, it can be difficult to tell what items in the forest can be gathered or not, because even the gatherable items are drawn with the same level of care as the rest of the environment.
There are hints of what can be described as ‘farming’ if you squint. You are given the opportunity to grow mushrooms in the Burrow’s basement, though I haven’t quite figured that part out yet.
There are quests and a story line you can follow, woodland creatures you meet and help but to refrain from spoiling the gameplay, I have omitted them from this review. I will admit that I’ve had some trouble with the quests. There aren’t many hints to go off of, and if there are, they’re a bit too subtle for me to catch. Despite that, I’m enjoying just being a young mouse learning how to survive in the woods. I don’t feel pressure to complete quests in a certain time frame; I’m perfectly content passing time by just harvesting mushrooms to make mushroom stew.
Image Credits: Noodlecake Studios and Pine Creek Games
Disclosure: We received a free review copy of this product.
Comments