Winter Burrow strikes a comfortable balance between Don’t Starve and Mouse Guard.

      When discussing survival crafting games, ambitious 3D sandbox titles like Minecraft, Rust, or Valheim typically come to mind. However, I often find myself equally entertained by the survival and crafting games that draw inspiration from Don’t Starve. While Klei Entertainment’s 2013 indie classic has a hardcore feel, many games influenced by it are more gentle in nature. I enjoy unwinding, exploring charming worlds, and crafting items in titles such as Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story or Cozy Grove.

      Pine Creek Games’ Winter Burrow aims to satisfy the cozy survival-crafting niche. At a recent ID@Xbox digital event I attended, Pine Creek CEO and Creative Director Benjamin Salqvist openly referenced survival games like Don’t Starve, highlighting that Winter Burrow will take a more relaxed, less intense approach to that concept. Salqvist specifically described Winter Burrow as residing "in between Don’t Starve and Animal Crossing." After witnessing the game in action during the event and trying it out at GDC 2025, it has become one of my most eagerly anticipated games for the year.

      Although it may not be apparent at first glance, the first-person zombie survival game 7 Days to Die served as the initial inspiration for what would eventually evolve into Winter Burrow. Salqvist remarked, “It’s amusing because the initial inspiration came from playing 7 Days to Die and imagining what it would be like to play as a woodland creature.” He soon realized he wouldn’t create a 3D game of that scale, so he pivoted to a 2D format and drew inspiration from Don’t Starve.

      The outcome is an endearing adventure featuring a mouse who returns to a burrow built by its parents long ago, only to discover it in a state of disarray. Players must gradually enhance and upgrade the burrow using available resources while braving the winter storms that envelop it. The game’s art style is influenced by David Petersen, the creator of Mouse Guard, and has been further refined since its initial demo was launched on Steam last year, now featuring even more intricate details and a cozy lighting atmosphere. This aesthetic allows Winter Burrow to seamlessly transition between chilly and warm feelings based on the player’s surroundings.

      The central gameplay loop of Winter Burrow isn’t a drastic departure for those familiar with crafting-centric games. Resources like wood and stone are found throughout the forests surrounding the burrow, and players need to gather these materials to craft items essential for progression. Initially, players will be collecting items from the ground, but soon they’ll craft tools for faster resource gathering and use those resources to improve the burrow or create new garments for their mouse. As players enhance their burrow, they will start each day with improved stats, aiding their exploration and ability to withstand the snowstorms they might face.

      Players are tasked with monitoring health, hunger, and warmth meters while gathering resources, with warmth being the most quickly depleting in my experience. The risk-reward dynamic in Winter Burrow revolves around deciding the opportune moment to return to the burrow. To assist with navigation, player footprints will remain visible in the snow — a feature added by Pine Creek after observing players using them to find their way home.

      Incorporating mechanics such as cooking enhances the cozy survival experience, making Winter Burrow a delightful title. It’s surprising that it draws inspiration from 7 Days to Die, but it’s certainly a game I’ll watch closely moving forward. If you enjoy Don’t Starve, cute animals, or cozy games, Winter Burrow should definitely be on your radar.

      Winter Burrow is set to release on PC and Xbox Series X/S in 2025 and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. A demo of the game can be found on Steam.