Winter Burrow Nintendo Switch 2 Review 8/10 *Cute Creature Crafting Comforts* 🐁🌳@pinecreekgames #IndieGame #GameDev

I had my eye on Winter Burrow for a while, and whilst I’m not naturally drawn to crafting games, the art style and draw of being a little mouse in a snowy forest rebuilding his family home whilst fending off insects and rediscovering his childhood was almost too cute to ignore. The final straw was when I showed my partner and our 4-year old son the trailer to Winter Burrow, and when I looked at them as the snippet ended, they had turned into anime characters with wide, trembling eyes, emitting a collective “aaaaawwww”.Winter Burrow begins with your little mouse returning to his dilapidated family home inside a forest tree stump during a harsh winter. Determined to reconnect with what remains of his family and build a home for himself, you begin by pootling around the local area and collecting various bits and pieces with which to build up the furniture and stations in your burrow, as well as proceeding though the narrative to get into extra rooms and explore further afield (quite literally).

The art style is a beautiful pen and ink approach with the vibe of the pages of a classic children’s story book, accompanied by lilting music on your quest, which isn’t without threat – but is also very forgiving should you run out of stamina in the cold, or be bested by a pesky foe. Whilst the game may hit some as an ‘entry level’ cosy crafter with a focus on a brisk narrative and perhaps not so much freedom in building what you want, when you want - I appreciated the brevity of the game, with each session making it feel I was making real progress in this charming little world and it was enjoyable without feeling like a time-sink grind. I know that’s what some people go for - but my god, give me quality over quantity any day!*

SUMMARY
Winter Burrow is a great little cosy title that doesn’t outstay its welcome and manages to introduce a handful of memorable characters in a way that feels like you are making your way through the warm, inviting pages of a story book. A lovely little game that’s great for all the family

and perfect with a cup of hot chocolate under a warm blanket as the wind whips around outside.

8/10

🆒COOL🆒

*I will always fight your corner, The Order:1886!

(also available on PC, Xbox One / X/S, Switch)

Developer – Pine Creek Games

Publisher – Noodlecake