‘Winter Burrow’, developed by Pine Creek Games and published by Noodlecake, is a game that took me totally by surprise. Feeling like an introduction into survival/scavenging games, this is one comfy resource-gathering time.

The Burrow is your home, your true home. Inherited after your parents passed, you play as a lone mouse, returning to your much-loved but poorly looked-after stump in the wilderness. With the guidance of your Aunty, you are tasked with surviving back in the woods and foraging to build your Burrow back to glory, just as your parents would have wanted it.

Life isn’t easy for a little mouse, though; dangers lurk in the dark, hunger knocks at the door, and a bitter winter will chill your bones. Can a singular mouse survive the harshness of the world? The story, while not being jam-packed with action, is decent enough to keep me interested.

Being a survival game, you must generally survive. Our little mouse companion has 4 main stats to keep an eye on: overall health, hunger, temperature, and stamina.

This survival game is EXTREMELY simple, but I actually enjoyed it in this case. From the inventory to stats, quests to blueprints, everything is very basic, which might turn off true survivalists, but it’s charming and fits the overall homely aesthetic perfectly. 

As you venture out into the big, wide world, you must collect resources to upgrade your cabin or to craft weapons, food, and furniture alike.  Much like a hobbit hole, you can deck out your stump crib with furniture made from a range of materials.

Venturing further from the safety of home, you will also come across a horde of cutesy woodland creature NPCs that will give you more resources and even upgraded weapons like your axe, shovel, or pickaxe. If you take the time to listen to these little fellows, they actually have some endearing stories to tell. Venturing far and wide rewards you, too, in the form of blueprints scattered around the map. 

While it is simple, it does challenge you in that it is set in a winter wonderland. The snow is perilous, though and quickly chills your little body. You really need to strategise what time of the day you want to go exploring, what to wear and to deck yourself out with some kindling to start a fire if you discover a fire pit.

The graphics are beautifully cartoonish, with bold, imperfect lines and comforting, cool colours that feature pops of warmth. The winter landscape of the woodlands is whimsical in a sort of fantasy sense, but feels cozy and inviting.

Each area, though, is detailed and different enough to be explored intently. I really wish there was more to explore, though. The music and soundscape that accompany this game are also very dreamlike, light, and quaint. From the squeaking of the mouse to the crunching of the snow, nothing about this game is panic-inducing, even when a predatory owl swoops in. It felt good to just relax and grind away.

For a survival game, albeit it’s a shortish ride, it’s a damn cosy one. From start to finish, it’s a truly feel-good experience. To be fair, a trip I really needed with the craziness in the world at the present moment. It was definitely a sweet and cuddly break from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Written by: Stacey