Winter Burrow Release Date Revealed during Xbox Tokyo Game Show Broadcast
During the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 showcase, Pine Creek Games announced that Winter Burrow — the cozy woodland survival game that’s been warming hearts since its first trailer — is officially launching on November 12, 2025, for Steam, Xbox, Game Pass, and Nintendo Switch.
Fans of wholesome, slow-life survival sims have a lot to look forward to: from sweater knitting and pie baking, to mushroom gardening and befriending forest critters, Winter Burrow looks like the perfect autumn escape for players craving peace, charm, and purpose.
And for those who just can't wait to cozy up in the burrow, a brand-new demo is now live on Steam, released as part of the Indie Fan Fest (hosted by The MIX) and featured in Steam Next Fest beginning October 13.
A Heartwarming Tale of Home and Healing
In Winter Burrow, you play as a tiny mouse who returns to their childhood home — an overgrown burrow nestled deep in a snowy woodland — after life in the big city gets to be too much. What follows is a gentle survival story about mending broken spaces, rekindling connections with old friends, and finding comfort in nature’s quiet rhythms.
You’ll gather materials, repair your burrow, craft furniture, and slowly transform a once-abandoned home into a warm sanctuary. Along the way, you'll meet charming woodland creatures, cook hearty meals, and prepare for the long winter ahead.
New Demo Features: What’s Inside the Steam Indie Fan Fest Demo?
The latest demo of Winter Burrow, which just dropped on Steam, offers 1–2 hours of gameplay and showcases some delightful new features that weren’t available in previous builds.
What’s New:
- A New Storyline with Aunty:
Discover more about your character’s backstory through heartwarming interactions with their Aunt, who shares wisdom, recipes, and stories from winters past. - An Adorable New Main Character Look:
The little mouse protagonist has been revamped with new animations, outfits, and an even more expressive face. Get ready to fall in love. - Mushroom Gardening:
Yes, mushroom gardening is now a thing. Cultivate your own fungi in carefully prepared beds, and use them in recipes, crafting, or trades with villagers. - Expanded Cooking System:
Bake rustic pies, stir comforting stews, and unlock new recipes as you gather ingredients from the forest and your garden. - Crafting Upgrades:
A host of new resources, craftables, and items have been added — from winter boots to bird feeders to tiny bookshelves. - All-New UI and HUD:
The user interface has been completely reworked for better readability, faster access to tools, and a clean, polished look. - Multilingual Support:
The game now supports several new languages, making it more accessible to cozy gamers worldwide.
Cross-Platform Launch: Game Pass Day One
One of the biggest surprises? Winter Burrow is launching Day One on Xbox Game Pass, meaning subscribers can dive into the game on both Xbox and PC at no additional cost on November 12.
The game will also be available on:
- Steam (with Early Access features likely post-launch)
- Nintendo Switch, bringing the cozy vibes on the go
- Xbox Series X|S
Whether you're playing on a handheld console or curled up in front of a monitor, Winter Burrow is designed to make you feel safe, warm, and creatively fulfilled.
Why Winter Burrow Might Be This Year’s Cozy Game of the Season
Pine Creek Games has struck a rare balance — a survival crafting game that isn’t stressful, but deeply rewarding. Instead of managing meters and dodging dangers, you're planting roots (sometimes literally), and learning to rebuild after burnout — one sweater, one pie, one mushroom patch at a time.
And in an industry where cozy often just means “not violent,” Winter Burrow dares to be emotionally tender and thoughtfully designed, with seasonal pacing, real character depth, and a satisfying gameplay loop that encourages self-expression and care.
Key Features of Winter Burrow
Here’s a full breakdown of what to expect:
- Cozy Survival Mechanics – Stay warm, gather supplies, and cook comforting meals to survive winter.
- Home Renovation – Repair your childhood burrow and make it truly your own with crafting and customization.
- Mushroom Gardening – Cultivate your own fungi in beds, harvest them, and integrate them into recipes and trades.
- Heartfelt Storytelling – Reconnect with your past and forge new bonds with forest neighbours.
- Crafting and Baking – From hearty pies to hand-knit clothes, create meaningful objects that bring warmth and joy.
- Charming Visuals and Music – A soft colour palette and gentle acoustic soundtrack evoke the warmth of classic storybooks.
- Playable Demo Now Live – Get a taste of the adventure on Steam today.
As November inches closer, Winter Burrow is quietly shaping up to be one of the most anticipated indie releases of the season. With its blend of slow-life survival, emotional storytelling, and delightful aesthetics, it's a warm hug in video game form.
And with a demo now available and full release just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to step into the snow-covered forest, repair what was broken, and make a home again.
