Survival Game Blends Apocalyptic Elements with Relaxing Nature: Wholesome Xbox and PC Title Draws Inspiration from '7 Days to Die' and 'Animal Crossing'

Survival Game Blends Apocalyptic Elements with Relaxing Nature: Wholesome Xbox and PC Title Draws Inspiration from '7 Days to Die' and 'Animal Crossing'

A Chillin' Survival Experience - Winter Burrow

Brace yourself for an icy adventure unlike any other! Games such as The Long Dark and Frostpunk have THOUNDERED us with the brutal chill and the blinding snow. But, fear not! Pine Creek Games' latest title, Winter Burrow, brings a refreshing twist - paired with warmth and comfort.

Benjamin Salqvist, CEO and Creative Director, announced that the inspiration for Winter Burrow originated from the survival-game-turned-zombie-slaughter-fest, 7 Days to Die. In a post on Xbox Wire, Salqvist expressed his vision for a cozy twist, featuring squirrels, hedgehogs, moles, and mice, crawling and digging through the trees and ground instead of enduring a zombie apocalypse.

A Tale as Old as Time, Told through a Mouse's Eyes

At first glance, Winter Burrow may appear to be the tale of a little mouse and its woodland friends. But the story is, unapologetically, human. The main character's family embarks on a search for a better life in the big city, only to be met by hard work and sorrow. After the loss of its parents, the tiny mouse embarks on a journey home, where it finds its childhood burrow in shambles.

Stepping into the shoes of the brave little mouse, you are tasked with rebuilding your home in the cold wilderness. From tiny twigs to blades of grass, you gather resources to restore your childhood sanctuary, and decorate as you go. The wondrous world of Winter Burrow provides much more than just rebuilding – the resources you collect will aid you in crafting knitted warm sweaters and hats, rebuilding bridges, and helping the other forest folk before they fall into the clutches of the cold and the dreaded insect wildlife.

Fellow woodland creatures can be helpful allies, offering knowledge and tools to aid you on your quest. Beware, however, not every critter in the forest is friendly. When venturing out, be prepared to face dangers hidden in the wilderness. Choose to hide or take on the risks with your homemade tools – the choice is yours. If the chilly winter or pests should ruin your adventure, fear not! You'll simply awaken the next morning, safe and sound in the warmth of your bed.

Salqvist explained, "The game is about the contrast between safety and danger, that feeling of being snuggled up under a warm blanket during a storm. We wanted to explore this dichotomy, and the connection between the safe, warm burrow and the cold, harsh wilderness."

Baking pies is another way to soothe your wounds following a hard day in the wilderness.

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Artistic Inspirations and a Fresh Approach

While 7 Days to Die served as the muse for Winter Burrow's survival mechanics, the decision to create the 2D isometric forest of woodland creatures came from a combination of Don't Starve and Animal Crossing. The hand-drawn, ink-lined comic book aesthetic was inspired by David Peterson's comic, Mouse Guard.

Compared to common survival games, Winter Burrow offers a more approachable take by allowing players to re-spawn upon fainting, creating a friendlier experience without the fear of permanent loss of progress. Adding a slightly different twist to the wholesome life-sim genre, some may find a trace of excitement in an otherwise peaceful world. The team at Pine Creek Games experimented with various concepts before finding the right balance for Winter Burrow, explaining, "We tried out different directions for the game, and, though they may seem like detours today, we are glad that we tried them out as they helped us understand the game and its core vision better."

As we approach Winter Burrow's 2025 release, changes continue to roll out. The playable mouse character recently received a fresh look to better align with the game's cozy feel. New artwork, a logo, and promotional materials have also been revealed.

With the help of Noodlecake, Winter Burrow will be available on Xbox and Xbox PC. Salqvist expressed his gratitude for the partnership, "From our first meetings with Noodlecake and Xbox, they instantly understood what we were aiming for. They have supported us from the start and gave us the confidence to believe in the game and what we were making."

Winter Burrow will support the Xbox Play Anywhere program, allowing players to purchase the game on Xbox consoles or PC and enjoy it on all supported platforms. The game will also be available on Game Pass for Xbox and PC on launch day. While we eagerly await Winter Burrow's arrival, you can get a taste of things to come by downloading the demo on Steam!

1. Pine Creek Games' upcoming game, Winter Burrow, announced for Xbox and Xbox PC, will provide a cozy twist on survival gaming, featuring mice, squirrels, and other woodland creatures in a 2D isometric forest setting.
2. The hand-drawn, ink-lined comic book aesthetic of Winter Burrow was inspired by David Peterson's comic, Mouse Guard.
3. In contrast to traditional survival games, Winter Burrow offers a more approachable experience with the ability to respawn upon fainting, reducing the fear of permanent loss of progress.
4. Stay updated on Winter Burrow and other Windows and Xbox games by signing up for the newsletter, where you'll find news, reviews, and guides.
5. After a hard day of rebuilding your home in the wilderness of Winter Burrow, take a break to bake some pies to soothe your wounds.

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